Steps to Become an Educator for Undergraduate Students

1. Decide what you want to teach.

You must decide which grade level and subject you wish to teach. This will help your Advisor determine which college and major you should declare. UTA is dedicated to making you as marketable as possible upon graduation, so we prepare most of our students for two certifications. We offer a variety of certifications in grade level, subjects and supplementals for you to choose from.

2. Meet with an Education Advisor.

Whether you major in the College of Education or another college, your Advisor will be able to guide you through the process of completing both teacher certification and degree requirements. Visit Undergraduate Advising to schedule an appointment. Refer to the Common Calendar below for a general guide throughout the teacher certification process:

3. Apply to the Educator Preparation Program (EPP).

Every student that wishes to obtain a Texas Teacher Certificate is required to complete an Educator Preparation Program (EPP). The EPP includes pedagogy coursework, classroom experience and clinical teaching. Your advisor will help you determine when you have met the EPP requirements and instruct you on how to apply for admission to the EPP.

4. Participate in Field Experiences.

Your field experiences are critical steps toward your development as a future Educator. The opportunity to practice what you have learned during your studies in a real school classroom under the mentorship of a Cooperating Teacher is one of the most valuable components of your Educator preparation. For more information, visit Office of Educational Field Experiences.

5. Get approval to register for and pass the Texas Examinations of Educator Standards (TExES).

To receive approval to register for the state certification exam (TExES), you must meet the requisites for your specific certification program. You will need to work with your Program Coordinator to receive approval and instructions to apply for exam registration. For more information, visit Texas Certification Exams.

6. Submit certification and fingerprinting application and fee to Texas Education Agency (TEA).

Once you have passed all of your certification exams, which includes content, pedagogy and supplemental, you must submit a certification and fingerprinting application and fee to TEA. Your certification application will be recommended to TEA for final processing by the Certification Officer once ALL certification requirements have been met.

Standard Certification Application Instructions for Undergraduates

7. Apply for graduation.

College of Education students must apply online to gradate during their Clinical Teaching semester, which is the final semester of coursework. The online Graduation Application is available from the 12th day of class (4th day in summer) until the mid-semester deadline.

8. Start your Educator career!

The Office of Field Experience provides opportunities for job placements through the annual Education Career Day (Job Fair). This takes place on the UTA campus during the middle of Spring semester. School Districts and other educational employers often contact us seeking new Educators or to advertise job openings for upcoming or recent graduates. Career Services is another resource to assist you in beginning your career as an Educator.

Sometimes there is a brief waiting period between applying for and being recommended to TEA for final certification.  A potential employer may ask you for a Letter of Intent or Verification in the meantime. Please fill out the below form to request a status letter.