UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMS
Elementary Education EC-6
The teacher preparation undergraduate program seeks to provide its students with the latest knowledge about cognition and learning along with practical experience in school settings through field-based internships, practicum, and educational preparation coursework. At the undergraduate level, the Department of Teacher Education provides the professional education preparation for all initial state licensure in collaboration with other departments across the University and area public schools.
The department offers a Bachelor of Arts in Applied Learning and Development with two options for Early Childhood through Grade Six: EC- 6 Generalist or EC- 6 Bilingual Education Generalist. It also provides options for Middle Level (4-8) certification: Generalist; Bilingual Education Generalist; English/Language Arts/Reading, English/Language Arts/Reading/Social Studies Composite; Mathematics; and Math/Science Composite.
For current degree plans, click the "Degree Plans" link on the left.
Secondary Education 7 - 12
In addition, we offer a minor degree in education for students who are preparing to be secondary teachers in various disciplines or to teach in the all-levels programs such as art, music, and kinesiology, and take a minor degree in the Teacher Education department.
Students interested in becoming secondary or all-levels art, music, and physical education teachers complete a Bachelor of Arts, a Bachelor of Business, a Bachelor of Science, a Bachelor of Music, or a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology and Sport of their interest. Information about the different programs of studies appears in the appropriate section of the University catalog under the colleges of Business Administration, Health Sciences, Liberal Arts, and Science. Course curricula are aligned to the state standards and reflect current research on the developmental stages and needs of children from Early Childhood through Grade 12. In addition, the curriculum is aligned to the standards required for the initial issuance of certificate(s), www.sbec.state.tx.us, including:
- Content area knowledge and skills;
- Professional ethics and standards of conduct;
- Professional development, which should encompass topics such as the following:
- District and campus priorities and objectives;
- Child development, including research on how children learn;
- Discipline management;
- Applicable federal and state laws;
- Diversity and special needs of student populations;
- Increasing and maintaining parental involvement;
- Integration of technology into educational practices;
- Ensuring that students read at or above grade level;
- Diagnosing and removing obstacles to student achievement; and
- Instructional techniques.
Listed below are the certification areas for a ‘minor’ in Secondary Education:
- Biology (7-12th Biology)
- Business (7-12th Basic Business)
- Chemistry (7-12th Chemistry)
- Earth Science (7-12th Earth Science)
- English Language Arts and Reading (8-12th combination of English/Reading/Speech/Mass Comm./Journalism)
- French (7-12th French)
- Health (7-12th Health Science)
- History (7-12th History)
- Journalism (7-12th Journalism)
- Life-Earth Science (7-12th combination of Biology and Geology)
- Math (7-12th Math)
- Physical Science (7-12th Physical Science)
- Physics (7-12th Physics)
- Psychology (7-12th Psychology)
- Science Composite (7-12th combination of Biology/Geology/Chemistry/Physical Science)
- Social Studies Composite (7-12th combination of History/Economics/Geography/Political Sci.)
- Sociology (7-12th Sociology)
- Spanish (7-12th Spanish)
- Speech (7-12th Speech)
- Theatre Arts (7-12th Theatre Arts)
- Drama
All-Levels students also take secondary minor:
- All-Levels Arts (1st-12th Art)
- All-Levels Music (1st-12th Music)
- All-Levels Kinesiology (1st-12th Physical Education)
Center for Student Success
Whether you are aspiring to become an elementary, middle, or high school teacher, our mission at the CSS is to provide you with the guidance and resources you will need to help you complete your academic training and set you on track to a successful career.
Learn More
Notification of potential ineligibility for certification
Any individual who has been convicted of an offense may be ineligible for issuance of a certificate upon completion of the Educator Preparation Program. For more information, please refer to the State Board of Educator Certification (SBEC) rules prescribed in §249.16. Individuals have the right to request a criminal history evaluation letter as provided in Chapter 227, Subchapter B (relating to Preliminary Evaluation of Certification Eligibility).
