Teacher Certification

Program Information

IMPORTANT CHANGE

Certification Exam:

The TExES English Language Arts and Reading (ELAR) 8–12 (131) test is scheduled to move from PBT-only to CAT-only administrations in the fall of 2012. Examinees taking the ELAR 8–12 test currently handwrite their responses to the test's constructed-response assignment. Beginning in the fall, they will be required to enter their responses via computer.

Two PBT administrations of this test remain on the current testing year's schedule: January 28 and May 19, 2012. Note that the regular registration deadline for the January 28 administration is December 30, 2011.

ELAR 8–12 (131) will be offered as a limited-administration CAT test beginning in the fall of 2012. The 2012–13 schedule for limited-administration CAT tests is expected to be finalized and announced in the summer of 2012.

 

The English Department at the University of Texas at Arlington is committed to serving the community by providing a curriculum that will satisfy the State Board of Educator Certification (SBEC) requirements for Teacher Certification in the English teaching field. This summary is designed to acquaint the prospective teacher with the SBEC rules for certification in these fields, and the program designed by UTA to comply with these rules.

The SBEC has been directed by the Texas State Legislature to apply standards of accountability to institutions that train educators. Therefore, UTA is responsible for the performance of all of our students who take the state certification examinations (TExES). Therefore we must make sure that all students who enter the UTA program are acceptable candidates and that our program thoroughly prepares them for a career as an educator.

Students wishing to take a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English with Secondary Teacher Certification must complete LIST 4343 and 36 hours in English. To count toward the major, each English course must be completed with a grade of C or better. The required English courses are:

  • ENGL 1301 and 1302 (or waivers for advanced standing).
  • ENGL 2350 (English majors must take this course before receiving credit for any 3000/4000-level English courses).
  • Three hours of literature on the sophomore level or above.
  • ENGL 3340, History of American Literature
  • ENGL 3351, History of British Literature I
  • ENGL 3361 or 3362, History of World Literature I or II
  • ENGL 3371 or 3372 or 4371 or 3374 or 4374 (Writing/Composition Group)
  • ENGL 3344 or 3345 or 3346 or 3347 or 3355 or 3364 or 3370 or 4340 (Cultural Diversity Group)
  • ENGL 3384 or 4301 (Linguistics/Philology Group)
  • ENGL 4326, Shakespeare
  • ENGL 4370, Theory and Practice
  • The requirement of six hours of English or world history does not pertain to students obtaining teacher certification.
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  • 24 hours of Education courses (More information here)

NOTE: If you have a bachelor’s degree and want to earn your teacher certification, please go to http://www.uta.edu/coed/gradadvising/ and then look at the "Prospective Student" area in the bottom left.