• Acceptable scores on the Texas Academic Skills Program Test (TASP).
  This must be taken prior to enrolling in any professional education course;
• A grade point average of at least 2.50 in the first 9 credit hours of English;
• Overall grade point average of at least 2.50 in the last 60 credit hours;
• Grade point average of at least 2.50 in the teaching field(s);
• Personal and professional qualities necessary for success as a classroom teacher.

1. Admission to Teacher Education;
2. Pre-student teaching professional education course requirements met with a grade point average of at least 2.50 based on the policy that grades lower than a "B-" in professional courses must have been repeated with a grade of "B-" or better, and that such courses may be repeated only once;
3. Grade point average of at least a 2.50 or better in all teaching fields or areas of specialization;
4. Overall grade point average of at least 2.50;
5. Pre-student teaching field experience requirements met;
6. Good physical health;
7. Personal and professional qualities necessary for success as a classroom teacher.

1. Completion of a bachelor's degree;
2. Completion of one or more of the following approved programs:
• Elementary;
• Middle school (grades 4-8);
• Secondary (grades 8-12);
• All-level.
3. A satisfactory level of performance on all sections of the State Board for Educator Certification exit test(s) (TExES); (Students will be required to take TExES practice tests prior to being given permission to take the TExESs. Students who do not pass the practice tests will be counseled regarding enrollment in TExES reviews and/or retaking the practice tests);
4. Students seeking certification in French, Spanish or Bilingual Education must pass the Texas Oral Proficiency Test (TOPT) as mandated by the Texas Education Agency.
   Specialties are available in generic special education, bilingual education, English as a second language and gifted and talented education.

In accordance with Article 6252-12c, Texas Civil Statutes, the Commissioner of Education may refuse to issue a teaching certificate for persons convicted of a felony or misdemeanor crimes that directly relate to the duties and responsibilities of the teaching profession. Applicants for Texas Certificates will be screened for a record of felony or misdemeanor convictions through the Texas Department of Public Safety. Potential applicants may wish to contact the Certification Officer regarding concerns about this Texas requirement.

Professional Laboratory Experience In each of the professional education courses, guided observation of and contact with the curricular and co-curricular activities of children and youth are required. Opportunities in off-campus schools, both public and private, and in non-school agencies are numerous in the immediate neighborhood of the University.

Many of these experiences can be realized within the normal timetable of scheduled classes. Others may require additional time in the off-campus situations. Each student must have on record in the office of Director of Field Experiences a minimum of 100 clock hours of professional field experience before being assigned a student teaching position. A minimum of 50 clock hours must be in a private/public school setting. Allowance for these requirements should be made by the student when planning his/her program.

Students who have not been admitted to Teacher Education
Before registering for ANY of the following courses, a student must be admitted to Teacher Education:

EDUC 3303- Educational Psychology
3304- Curriculum and Instruction
3339- Multicultural Populations
4338- Classroom Management

Prior to admission to Teacher Education, students may be allowed to register for a maximum of 6 credit hours of School of Education courses (excepting those listed above). In order to register for any School of Education course, students must be counseled into the course by an appropriate School of Education advisor. (In no case may a student enroll in a School of Education course without the signature of a School of Education faculty member.)

Sample entry-level courses (courses which may be selected as part of the 6 credit hours allowed prior to admission to Teacher Education) are:

MS 4336- Computing and Technology SPED 4320- Exceptionality
MS 3333- Oral Communication BIED 4330- Foundations of Bilingual Education

In all cases, any student desiring to complete more than 6 credit hours of courses in the School of Education must be admitted to Teacher Education.

Evening and Saturday Offerings in Education: Consult the School of Education about evening and Saturday scheduling.