The Department of Curriculum and Instruction offers undergraduate professional development courses for students seeking Secondary certification (7th/8th through 12th grades) or All Level certification (Early Childhood through 12th grades). Students major in a content-based teaching field (see list below) while obtaining pedagogy and educational professional development course work through the Curriculum and Instruction Department. The student should obtain advising from both the advisor in his or her major department and from a Curriculum and Instruction faculty mentor. Students with bachelor’s degrees who want to teach should consult the Graduate Catalog for requirements leading to certification.
List of Secondary and All-Level Certification Major Areas: For which teaching certification is available:
- Agricultural Sciences and Technology (6-12)
- Art (EC-12)
- Business Education (6-12)
- Chemistry (8-12)
- Computer Science (8-12)
- English/Language Arts/Reading (8-12)
- History (8-12)
- Journalism (8-12)
- Life Science (8-12)
- Mathematics (8-12)
- Music (EC-12)
- Physical Education (EC-12)
- Physical Science (8-12)
- Spanish (EC-12)
- Social Studies (8-12)
- Special Education (EC-12)
- Speech (7-12)
- Theatre (EC-12)
Degree and Certification
Students seeking a bachelor’s degree along with teacher certification at the secondary level must complete all university requirements for the Bachelor of Science degree or Bachelor of Arts degree for the area of your major listed in the bachelor’s degree requirements section of this catalog, and any additional requirements established by the university. These requirements include but are not limited to successfully completing:
- Core Curriculum Requirements (refer to that section of this catalog);
- requirements for admission to professional development coursework;
- 30 hours of observation experience in public schools;
- the required reading score in one of the following tests: THEA 250, ACT - English 23 and Composite 23, or SAT Verbal 550 and 1070 Combined/Total;
- major coursework with a “C” or better;
- overall GPA of 2.75;
- all professional development coursework with a “C” or better;
- all requirements for admission and retention into the teacher certification program;
- and successful interview and placement with a partnership school district.
Please refer to Center for Educator Certification and Academic Services section of this catalog for more information.
The university reserves the right to change the curriculum or requirements for degrees or certificates to comply with state laws/regulations. The student assumes full responsibility for meeting all university requirements and for keeping current with all curriculum and policy changes that might affect graduation and/or certification.
Field-Based Teacher Education Program
Students pursuing certification for teaching in the secondary schools are required to participate in various field experiences. In students observe in the schools for thirty clock hours. During the Residency Semester, candidates spend every day in the schools observing, studying, and teaching under the supervision of the university faculty and a public school mentor teacher(s). In addition to coursework, and internship/residency, to be certified, students must successfully complete at least two state administered examinations; one in the content area and one in the area of pedagogy and professional responsibilities. These tests are known as the TExES examinations (Texas Examinations of Educator Standards).
Secondary and All-level Field-Based Teacher Education Program
Students should check with their content-area department advisor to gain approval to take the TExES content exam for their teaching field.
Students will receive approval to take the TExES Secondary Pedagogy and Professional Responsibility Test from the Department of C&I.
Secondary Certification Professional Development Course Requirements
Before participating in the Residency semester, the candidate must have completed the necessary preparatory courses. The required courses may vary slightly depending on major, so consult with an advisor in your major department for confirmation. Most students seeking Secondary Certification will complete the following courses:
| SED 300 | Teaching Profession | 3 |
| PSY 300 | Learning Processes and Development | 3 |
| RDG 380 | Comprehension and Vocabulary in Middle and High Schools | 3 |
| ETEC 424 | Integrating Tech into Curricul | 3 |
| SED 400 | Pedagogy and Classroom Management in Field-based Environments | 3 |
| SED 401 | Technology Infused Curriculum and Assessment in Field-based Environments | 3 |
| SED 404 | Secondary Teaching Practicum | 3 |
| SED 405 | Secondary Residency in Teaching | 3-6 |
All-Level Certification Professional Development Course Requirements
Before participating in the Residency semester, the candidate must have the completed the necessary preparatory courses. The required courses may vary slightly depending on major, so consult with an advisor in your major department for confirmation. Most students seeking All-level Certification will complete the following courses:
| SED 300 | Teaching Profession | 3 |
| PSY 300 | Learning Processes and Development | 3 |
| RDG 380 | Comprehension and Vocabulary in Middle and High Schools | 3 |
| ETEC 424 | Integrating Tech into Curricul | 3 |
| SED 400 | Pedagogy and Classroom Management in Field-based Environments | 3 |
| SED 401 | Technology Infused Curriculum and Assessment in Field-based Environments | 3 |
| SED 404 | Secondary Teaching Practicum | 3 |
| SED 405 | Secondary Residency in Teaching | 3-6 |
LeoTeach Professional Development Course Requirements
Before participating in the Residency semester, the candidate must have the completed the necessary preparatory courses. The required courses may vary slightly depending on major, so consult with an advisor in your major department for confirmation. Students majoring in the STEM areas (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) who are seeking teacher certification for secondary levels will complete the following professional development courses:
| SED 330 | Roles and Responsibilities of Professional STEM Educators | 3 |
| SED 331 | Instructional Design for Student Engagement in STEM | 3 |
| SED 332 | Project Based Learning in STEM | 3 |
| RDG 380 | Comprehension and Vocabulary in Middle and High Schools | 3 |
| SED 400 | Pedagogy and Classroom Management in Field-based Environments | 3 |
| SED 401 | Technology Infused Curriculum and Assessment in Field-based Environments | 3 |
| SED 404 | Secondary Teaching Practicum | 3 |
| SED 405 | Secondary Residency in Teaching | 3-6 |