Already have a baccalaureate degree? Get the expertise you need to pass the State of Texas' initial teacher certification exams at the graduate level. Several certification grades and subjects – including mathematics, science, and English as a second language (ESL), as well as elementary, middle school, junior high, and high school level specializations – are available.
We offer several different grade levels for you to choose from, including Early Childhood – Grade 6, Grades 4-8 (Mid Level), Grades 7-12 (Secondary Level), and Early Childhood – Grade 12 (All Level). And future teachers who are teaching Grades 4 and above will also specialize their certification with a specific content area, such as mathematics, science, art, music, history, or physical education.
Additionally, many of our certification options, are in critical shortage areas that are in-demand with local schools.
This option is designed for non-degree seeking students who already have a bachelor's degree.
Students who hold a bachelor’s degree must obtain teacher certification at the graduate level.
Teacher certification can be earned either through a certification-only program (non-degree seeking) or a master's degree with certification. Click on the program you are interested in to view the coursework required for that program, as well as other helpful information.
To view degree plans, open the program page from the list below.
The M.Ed. in Special Education with certification (100% online classes)
*Aspiring educators who want to teach Grade 4 or above will choose a specific subject or content area to specialize their certification.
Program Benefits
Please note that the cost can vary by student in relation to that student's individual circumstances.
For the best approximation of your school costs for tuition and fees, visit the UTA Tuition Estimator at https://www.uta.edu/admissions/afford/tuition-estimator.
UTA offers competitive funding options future teachers, including TEACH Grants, Noyce Grants, and Project Match Made in Schools Grants. For more, view our Scholarships and Paying for School page.
Every year Texas Education Agency (TEA) submits a list of teacher shortage areas by subject matter and a list of designated low-income schools to the U.S. Department of Education. Teachers with certain types of student loans may qualify for partial loan forgiveness, deferment, or cancellation benefits. UTA and the TEA do not determine an educator’s eligibility for teacher loan forgiveness. Eligibility may vary. For details visit: https://tea.texas.gov/texas-educators/educator-initiatives-and-performance/student-loan-forgiveness-for-teachers.
Our Office of Educational Field Experiences works closely with specific schools to build strong mentoring relationships between teachers and students, and therefore place all students in partner school settings. Students are not able to select the district or school for their placement.
Clinical teaching is typically unpaid.
The Texas Education Agency has issued new requirements for student teacher supervision, according to the Texas Administrative Code (TAC 228.35(f)). This includes a minimum of three 45-minute formal classroom observations followed by a 20-minute interactive conference between the student teacher and the university supervisor. The Office of Educational Field Experiences will place all student teachers in a partner district based on the availability of cooperating teachers in the different subject areas.
Information for Out-of-State StudentsThe Texas Education Agency (TEA) requires candidates seeking certification to complete all practica in a TEA-approved site.
Out-of-state students who do not complete the practicum at a UTA College of Education and TEA-approved site and meet all other TEA requirements do not qualify for Texas educator certification. If seeking certification outside of Texas, please work with your state agency in the state in which you are seeking certification to determine eligibility and to complete any additional requirements. Please note that after successful completion of your UTA College of Education degree, you may request a memo indicating your degree completion. UTA cannot recommend out-of-state students for certification and cannot recommend out-of-state students to take Texas certification exam(s).
Additionally, UTA faculty and staff cannot complete out-of-state form requests for individuals seeking certification, licensure, and/or endorsements in another state according to TEA.
Program requirements may change as state/TEA certification requirements change.
Applying after the priority date? Admissions applications are welcome at any time. However, for priority consideration, apply by the priority date.
Submit by July 1
Classes start end of August
Submit by Nov. 1
Classes start in January
Submit by April 1
Classes start mid-May
For payment deadlines, information about payment plans and more, visit Student Accounts.
*The Hispanic Serving Leadership Preparation Graduate Certificate does not offer summer admission.
View the UTA Official Catalog for admissions requirements and details about probationary admission, deferred admission, and more for the following programs.
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Applicants seeking admission must submit two recommendation forms. Please wait until you have your 10-digit, UTA student ID number to submit recommendation forms.
The required Recommendation Form is available for download here.
The required* Recommendation Form is available for download here.
The Hispanic Serving Leadership Preparation Graduate Certification does not require a recommendation form at this time.
Some applicants, such as international students, may have additional admissions requirements* and/or program** limitations.
UTA accepts TOEFL* or IELTS or Duolingo. If your native language is not English, you must demonstrate a sufficient level of skill with the English language to assure success in graduate studies. You are required to submit official test score reports directly from the testing agency unless you hold a bachelor's or master's degree from an accredited U.S institution.
You are required to submit an official test score report sent directly from the testing agency. UTA's ETS institutional code is 6013.
*Certification programs only accept TOEFL due to Texas Education Agency requirements.
View test score requirements online.
Email UTA's international office at international@uta.edu.
*The resources provided here are for informational purposes. Please review the Official Catalog for official information.
**The M.Ed. in Mind, Brain, and Education is not eligible for international students at this time.
View program information, admissions requirements, and more.
If you wish to pursue Mid-Level, Secondary, or All-Level certification, you must choose a subject you wish to teach. This is what the state refers to as your 'Content Area'. You must have a minimum of 24 undergraduate hours in your chosen content area and at least half of those hours must be junior/senior level classes.
Your content area must be verified by a professor in your discipline who has been designated as a Content Advisor before you will be permitted to enroll in Education coursework. If the Content Advisor finds that you must take more than 12 hours to complete your content coursework, these must be done before beginning the certification program and student teaching!
View the content declaration form.
View the list of current content advisors.
Ready to take the next step toward earning your certification from UTA?
