Candidates apply for admission to the Educator Preparation Program (EPP) when they have completed 60 semester credit hours.

At the time of application to the Educator Preparation Program, all applicants must demonstrate that they have:

• Completed 60 SCH with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.75.
• Completed at least 12 SCH in the major/teaching field coursework with no grade lower than a C and a GPA greater than 2.75.
• Completed the coursework to demonstrate proficiency in reading, writing, mathematics, and communication.
• To demonstrate proficiency, the candidate
  • must complete the following with a grade of C or better:
  • Reading - History 2300 and 2301, OR POLS 1301 and 2302
  • Writing - English 1301 and 1302
  • Mathematics - Mathematics 1320 or equivalent course
  • Oral Communication - Communication 1300 or 2351
• Have met the requirements of the Basic Skills Requirements for the EPP. The TSI exam score will be the basis for admission consideration. University admission standards will be used.
• Texas Tech University's candidates demonstrate Fitness to Teach. Candidates will be evaluated on these behaviors through the assessment of teacher dispositions. At the point of admission to the Educator Preparation Program, students are required to review and accept the unit's dispositions. Students transferring to TTU from another certification program must be in good standing.
• All students must meet and adhere to the educator code of ethics.
• All students must complete a professional interview with College of Education staff and receive an acceptable score.
• Paid the Texas Education Agency (TEA) technology fee of $35. This fee is non-refundable.

When to Apply

TechTeach is a Fall start only program, so students should apply in the Spring of their sophomore year. Students will schedule an appointment for an admission workshop to complete the application process.

TeachTeach Across Texas is a summer start only program so students should apply in the Spring of their sophomore year or upon completion of the AAT. Students will schedule an appointment for an admission workshop to complete the application process.

Online Application

To submit an online application, visit with your College of Education certification advisor.

Required Criminal Background Check

Texas Administrative Code requires the completion of a criminal history background check prior to clinical teaching and hiring by a school district. Failure to pass a criminal history check will prevent you from being licensed and therefore hired by a district.

Texas Administrative Code: 19 TAC §227.101(c) Allows for a person who is enrolled or planning to enroll in a State Board for Educator Certification-approved educator preparation program or planning to take a certification examination to request a preliminary criminal history evaluation letter regarding your potential ineligibility for certification due to a conviction or deferred adjudication for a felony or misdemeanor offense.

Please visit the TEA website for more information:

• National Criminal History Checks-FAQs
• Preliminary Criminal History Evaluation-FAQs

Appeals Process

Students who do not meet the requirements for admission to the Educator Preparation Program will not be allowed to register for upper level education classes. Students who want to appeal the admission decision may contact the Department of Teacher Education.

Continuing in the Program

Each program block flows in a specific progression. Courses in each block must be completed successfully before progression to the next. Failed courses must be repeated and the student will not be permitted to continue until successful completion of the course is achieved. A grade of “C” or above must be achieved in all content and block courses.

Note: Failing of courses in blocks or content can and will delay your program as well as graduation.

Candidates apply for admission to the Educator Preparation Program (EPP) when they have completed a minimum of 60 semester credit hours.  

At the time of application to the Educator Preparation Program, all applicants must demonstrate that they have:

• Completed 60 SCH with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.75.
• Completed at least 12 SCH in the major/teaching field coursework with no grade lower than a C and a GPA of 2.75 or greater.
• Completed the coursework to demonstrate proficiency in reading, writing, mathematics, and communication.
• To demonstrate proficiency, the candidate
  • must complete the following with a grade of C or better:
  • Reading - History 2300 and 2301, OR POLS 1301 and 2302
  • Writing - English 1301 and 1302
  • Mathematics - Mathematics 1320 or equivalent course
  • Oral Communication - Communication 1300 or 2351
• Have met the requirements of the Basic Skills Requirements for the EPP. The TSI exam score will be the basis for admission consideration. University admission standards will be used.
• Texas Tech University's candidates demonstrate Fitness to Teach. Candidates will be evaluated on these behaviors through the assessment of teacher dispositions through an interview process. At the point of admission to the Educator Preparation Program, students are required to review and accept the unit's dispositions. Students transferring to TTU from another certification program must be in good standing.
• All students must meet and adhere to the educator code of ethics.
• All students must complete a professional interview with College of Education staff and receive an acceptable score.
• Paid the Texas Education Agency (TEA) technology fee of $35. This fee is non-refundable.

When to Apply

Students who plan to begin in the Fall should apply in the Spring semester of their sophomore year.  Students who plan to begin in the Spring should apply in the Fall semester of their sophomore year.   For questions about application dates, contact your advisor.

Online Application

To submit an online application, visit with your College of Education certification advisor.

Required Criminal Background Check

Texas Administrative Code requires the completion of a criminal history background check prior to clinical teaching and hiring by a school district. Failure to pass a criminal history check will prevent you from being licensed and therefore hired by a district.

Texas Administrative Code: 19 TAC §227.101(c) Allows for a person who is enrolled or planning to enroll in a State Board for Educator Certification-approved educator preparation program or planning to take a certification examination to request a preliminary criminal history evaluation letter regarding your potential ineligibility for certification due to a conviction or deferred adjudication for a felony or misdemeanor offense.

Please visit the TEA website for more information:

• National Criminal History Checks-FAQs
• Preliminary Criminal History Evaluation-FAQs

Appeals Process

Students who do not meet the requirements for admission to the Educator Preparation Program will not be allowed to register for upper level education classes. Students who want to appeal the admission decision may contact the Department of Teacher Education.

Continuing in the Program

Each program block flows in a specific progression. Courses in each block must be completed successfully before progression to the next. Failed courses must be repeated and the student will not be permitted to continue until successful completion of the course is achieved. A grade of “C” or above must be achieved in all content and block courses.

Note: Failing of courses in blocks or content can and will delay your program as well as graduation.

Admission to Educator Preparation – Principal, School Counselor, Reading Specialist, Educational Diagnostician

Admission requirements

Candidates apply for admission to the Educator Preparation Program (EPP) when they have completed the content degree requirements.  Students should apply PRIOR to taking any educator preparation based coursework.

At the time of application to the Educator Preparation Program, all applicants must demonstrate that they have:

• Hold a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution of higher education.
• Be currently enrolled in a Master's degree program leading to advanced certification. (48 hour master degree – School Counselor)
• Hold a valid classroom teaching certificate.
• Have at minimum 2 creditable years of teaching experience as a classroom teacher (3 years Educational Diagnostician).
  • Candidates may be working on their final year of experience during completion of the program.
• GPA of 2.75 or greater.
• All students must meet and adhere to the educator code of ethics.
• All students must complete a screening process through university admissions and the College of Education and receive approval by the COE reviewer.
• Paid the Texas Education Agency (TEA) technology fee of $35. This fee is non-refundable.

When to Apply

Students should apply for the Educator Preparation program in the term prior to the planned start date.  Students should work closely with their advisor to determine the timeline for application.  

Online Application

Admission is completed through an online application process.  After meeting with a COE advisor for admission review a link to the online application will be issued to you.

Required Criminal Background Check

Texas Administrative Code requires the completion of a criminal history background check prior to clinical teaching and hiring by a school district. Failure to pass a criminal history check will prevent you from being licensed and therefore hired by a district.

Texas Administrative Code: 19 TAC §227.101(c) Allows for a person who is enrolled or planning to enroll in a State Board for Educator Certification-approved educator preparation program or planning to take a certification examination to request a preliminary criminal history evaluation letter regarding your potential ineligibility for certification due to a conviction or deferred adjudication for a felony or misdemeanor offense.

Notice of Potential Ineligibility for License: Your eligibility for an occupational license could be impacted by a criminal history if one exists. For information on published guidelines for licensure in certain fields, consult Texas Occupations Code Chapter 53, section 53.025. Also note, under Section 53.102 of the Occupations Code, you have the right to request a criminal history evaluation letter from the applicable licensing agency.

Please visit the TEA website for more information:

• National Criminal History Checks-FAQs
• Preliminary Criminal History Evaluation-FAQs

Appeals Process

Students who do not meet the requirements for admission to the Educator Preparation Program will not be allowed to register for education classes. Students who want to appeal the admission decision may contact the Department of Teacher Education.

Admission to Educator Preparation – Principal, School Counselor, Reading Specialist, Educational Diagnostician

Admission requirements

Candidates apply for admission to the Educator Preparation Program (EPP) when they have completed the content degree requirements.  Students should apply PRIOR to taking any educator preparation based coursework.

At the time of application to the Educator Preparation Program, all applicants must demonstrate that they have:

• Hold a master's degree from an accredited institution of higher education.
• Be currently enrolled in a Ph.D or Superintendent Certification program leading to advanced certification. 
• Hold a valid principal certificate or 
  • have at least three creditable years of managerial experience in a public school district. (A) The managerial experience must include responsibility for: (i) supervising or appraising faculty or staff; (ii) conducting district-level planning and coordination of programs, activities, or initiatives; and (iii) creating or maintaining a budget.
  • Must submit an application to TEA staff for approval.
• GPA of 2.75 or greater.
• All students must meet and adhere to the educator code of ethics.
• All students must complete a screening process through university admissions and the College of Education and receive approval by the COE reviewer.
• Paid the Texas Education Agency (TEA) technology fee of $35. This fee is non-refundable.

When to Apply

Students should apply for the Educator Preparation program in the term prior to the planned start date.  Students should work closely with their advisor to determine the timeline for application.  

Online Application

Admission is completed through an online application process. After meeting with a COE advisor for admission review a link to the online application will be issued to you.

Required Criminal Background Check

Texas Administrative Code requires the completion of a criminal history background check prior to clinical teaching and hiring by a school district. Failure to pass a criminal history check will prevent you from being licensed and therefore hired by a district.

Texas Administrative Code: 19 TAC §227.101(c) Allows for a person who is enrolled or planning to enroll in a State Board for Educator Certification-approved educator preparation program or planning to take a certification examination to request a preliminary criminal history evaluation letter regarding your potential ineligibility for certification due to a conviction or deferred adjudication for a felony or misdemeanor offense.

Notice of Potential Ineligibility for License: Your eligibility for an occupational license could be impacted by a criminal history if one exists. For information on published guidelines for licensure in certain fields, consult Texas Occupations Code Chapter 53, section 53.025. Also note, under Section 53.102 of the Occupations Code, you have the right to request a criminal history evaluation letter from the applicable licensing agency.

Please visit the TEA website for more information:

• National Criminal History Checks-FAQs
• Preliminary Criminal History Evaluation-FAQs

Appeals Process

Students who do not meet the requirements for admission to the Educator Preparation Program will not be allowed to register for education classes. Students who want to appeal the admission decision may contact the Department of Teacher Education.

Candidates from any foreign country or territory applying to the Educator Preparation at Texas Tech University will need to determine the educational background and English proficiency level. 

Candidates will need to:  

1. Submit the transcript used for admission (from the last school attended) to an approved transcript review service. 
   *  The service will determine the GPA and course equivalents.  These should be used to determine qualification for admission. 
2. Approved transcript review services:
   • American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admission Officers 
   • Center for Applied Research, Evaluation, & Education, Inc. 
   • Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc. 
   • Educational Records Evaluation Service, Inc. 
   • Evaluation Service, Inc. 
   • Foreign Credential Services of America 
   • The Foreign Educational Document Service 
   • Foundation for International Services, Inc. 
   • Global Credential Evaluators, Inc 
   • Global Education Group, Inc. 
   • Global Language Services 
   • International Academic Credential Evaluator, Inc. 
   • International Education Research Foundation, Inc.  
   • Josef Silny & Associates, Inc. 
   • SDR Educational Consultants 
   • Span Tran Evaluation Services 
   • World Education Services, Inc.  
   • Worldwide Education Consultant Services, Inc. 

NO TOEFL REQUIRED:  If the primary language of instruction at the school (that issued the transcript in #1) was English, then you will need to request a verification letter from that school, on school letterhead, signed by an agent of that school (registrar, etc.). 

Exemptions of English Proficiency 

Country of Citizenship

Applicants who are citizens of the following countries will be exempt from the English proficiency requirement:

• Australia 
• Canada (except the Province of Quebec) 
• Republic of Ireland 
• Liberia 
• New Zealand 
• United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales) 
• United States 
• Ghana 
• Commonwealth Caribbean Countries:  
  • Anguilla 
  • Antigua 
  • The Bahamas 
  • Barbados 
  • Belize 
  • British Virgin Islands 
  • Bermuda 
  • Cayman Islands 
  • Dominica 
  • Grenada 
  • Guyana 
  • Jamaica 
  • Montserrat 
  • St. Kitts and Nevis 
  • St. Lucia 
  • St. Vincent 
  • Trinidad and Tobago 
  • Turks and Caicos Islands 

3. TOEFL REQUIRED:  If the primary language of instruction at that school was not English, the candidate will be required to score the following on the TOEFL before s/he can be admitted to the EPP. 
   • Speaking 24
   • Listening 22
   • Reading 22
   • Writing 21 

Exam dates and locations: https://www.ets.org/toefl   

TAC Rule: Regarding Admission 

To learn more about the College Credit for Heroes program, visit the Texas Tech Military & Veterans Programs website.