Teacher Probationary Certificate

Information

• A probationary certificate is issued by the state for one (1) year from the date of issuance.
• Probationary certificate fees paid by the student are $35.00 (money order) to UTA and the appropriate fee to the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC).
• A probationary certificate can be extended for no more than two annual terms.
• Deadlines for the Probationary Certificate are as follows:

(Fall 2008 – August 22, 2008)
(Spring 2009 – January 16, 2009)

Steps to Acquire

• UTA probationary certificate information sheet, which must be completed by the student and hiring school district and returned to UTA, is available through UTA College of Education Assistant Dean for Certification & Testing, 817-272-2956.
• School districts are required to complete the UTA probationary certificate information sheet after the student completes his/her portion.
• During the year-long probationary certificate, students are required to register for EDUC, EDML, ECED or BEEP 5315, the practicum course. Supervision/mentoring is coordinated by UTA.
• Students must return to UTA the UTA probationary certificate information sheet as well as the UTA fee, register for EDUC, EDML, ECED or BEEP 5315 and apply online to SBEC before UTA will recommend for the probationary certificate.
• Applying to the state for a probationary certificate must be done online at SBEC; http://www.sbec.state.tx.us.

Requirements

• Must be accepted into graduate school for certification classes.
• Must have at least a 3.0 grade point average (GPA) as a certificate or degree-seeking student as determined by the UTA Graduate School Admissions Office.
• Must have earned a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university and have the official transcript(s) submitted to the Graduate School for evaluation.
• Must take designated test(s) for admission of COED graduate coursework.
• Must have an analysis of transcript for content proficiency conducted by appropriate UTA faculty or staff and make a passing score(s) on the state certification content test(s), i.e. TExES.
• Must be currently enrolled and maintain continuous enrollment in the College of Education while on a probationary certificate or to receive a probationary certificate extension.

Recommendation for Certification

• According to the Texas Education Agency, a student may not be recommended for certification until the student completes the full year of the probationary certificate.
• At the end of the year, the College of Education Assistant Dean will require a letter from the student’s principal stating that the student will/would be rehired before UTA will make recommendation for certification.  The letter must be mailed by the principal to the Assistant Dean.
• Student must have completed all remaining certification coursework with a 3.0 or better GPA before applying for certification.
• All TExES/ExCET/TOPT requirements must also have been met before applying for certification.

Updated: 10 June 2008