Admission to Educator Preparation

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:

1. Must be Core Complete.
2. Must have 60 semester credit hours completed.
3. Must have a clear criminal background check and clear record with TTU Office of Student Conduct.
4. Have completed 12-15 hours of content coursework. Math and Science certification tracks must have 15 hours completed.
5. Have a Cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher.
6. Be Texas Success Initiative “Met” or Passing Scores on SAT or ACT
   
   1. SAT Composite 1070 or higher
   2. ACT 23 or higher
7. Demonstrate proficiency in reading, writing, mathematics and communication by completing one of the following courses with a grade of C or above HIST 2300 & 2301, POLS 1301 &1302, ENGL 1301 &1302, MATH 1320 or equivalent, COMMS 2300 or equivalent.
8. Demonstrate fitness to Teach. Candidates will be evaluated on these behaviors through the assessment of teacher dispositions through an interview or screening process. Students transferring to TTU from another certification program must be in good standing.
9. Read and Sign the Texas Educator’s Code of Ethics
10. Sign the Criminal History Policy
11. Pay the $35 Texas Education Agency technology fee.

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:

1. Must be Core Complete.
2. Must have 60 semester credit hours completed.
3. Must have a clear criminal background check and clear record with TTU Office of Student Conduct.
4. Have completed 12-15 hours of content coursework. Math and Science certification tracks must have 15 hours completed.
5. Have a Cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher.
6. Be Texas Success Initiative “Met” or Passing Scores on SAT or ACT
   
   1. SAT Composite 1070 or higher
   2. ACT 23 or higher
7. Demonstrate proficiency in reading, writing, mathematics and communication by completing one of the following courses with a grade of C or above HIST 2300 & 2301, POLS 1301 &1302, ENGL 1301 &1302, MATH 1320 or equivalent, COMMS 2300 or equivalent.
8. Demonstrate fitness to Teach. Candidates will be evaluated on these behaviors through the assessment of teacher dispositions through an interview or screening process. Students transferring to TTU from another certification program must be in good standing.
9. Read and Sign the Texas Educator’s Code of Ethics
10. Sign the Criminal History Policy
11. Pay the $35 Texas Education Agency technology fee.

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:

1. Be admitted to the graduate school in the degree program related to educator certification. Be currently enrolled in a Master’s degree program leading to advanced certification. (48-hour master degree – School Counselor)
2. Hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited University
3. Display English Language Proficiency- Teacher Candidates who did not receive a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in the United States must take the TOEFL IBT in order to demonstrate proficiency. Required scores for TOEFL IBT are
   
   1. Speaking — 24
   2. Listening — 22
   3. Reading — 22
   4. Writing — 21.
4. Meet minimum Cumulative GPA of 2.75 or 2.75 in the last 60 hours of coursework.
5. Have at minimum 2 creditable years of teaching experience as a classroom teacher (3 years Educational Diagnostician).
6. Candidates may be working on their final year of experience during completion of the program.
7. All students must complete a screening process through university admissions and the College of Education and receive approval by the COE reviewer based on a common rubric.
8. Read and Sign the Code of Ethics
9. Read and Sign the Criminal History Policy
10. Submit an application to the Educator Preparation Program in Q-TRACK.
11. Pay the $35 TEA technology fee

*TSVI certification does not require completion of a master’s degree, but does require completion of the 24 program hours.

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:

1. Be admitted to the graduate school in the degree program related to educator certification. Be currently enrolled in a degree program leading to advanced certification. (48-hour master degree – School Counselor)
2. Hold a master’s degree from an accredited University
3. Display English Language Proficiency- Teacher Candidates who did not receive a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in the United States must take the TOEFL IBT in order to demonstrate proficiency. Required scores for TOEFL IBT are
   
   1. Speaking — 24
   2. Listening — 22
   3. Reading — 22
   4. Writing — 21.
4. Meet minimum Cumulative GPA of 2.75 or 2.75 in the last 60 hours of coursework.
5. Have at minimum 2 creditable years of teaching experience as a classroom teacher (3 years Educational Diagnostician).
6. Candidates may be working on their final year of experience during completion of the program.
7. All students must complete a screening process through university admissions and the College of Education and receive approval by the COE reviewer based on a common rubric.
8. Read and Sign the Code of Ethics
9. Read and Sign the Criminal History Policy
10. Submit an application to the Educator Preparation Program in Q-TRACK.
11. Pay the $35 TEA technology fee

*TSVI certification does not require completion of a master’s degree, but does require completion of the 24 program hours.

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.

TTU is approved by the Texas Education Agency to offer teacher candidates various routes to teacher certification. The Alternative Certification Program (ACP) is a track that allows students who have earned a bachelor’s degree or higher to obtain Texas teacher certification at the secondary level.

1. Hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited University
2. Display English Language Proficiency- Teacher Candidates who did not receive a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in the United States will be required to take the TOEFL IBT in order to demonstrate proficiency. Required scores for TOEFL IBT are
   1. Speaking — 24
   2. Listening — 22
   3. Reading — 22
   4. Writing — 21.
3. Meet with an advisor to review requirements.
4. Meet minimum Cumulative GPA of 2.75 or 2.75 in the last 60 hours of coursework.
5. Pass the TX Pre-Admission Content Test (PACT) test in the designated content area.
6. Apply to Graduate School for a Graduate Certificate (RAIDER Teach Only)
7. Complete the Teacher Candidate Screening
8. Read and Sign the Code of Ethics
9. Read and Sign the Criminal History Policy
10. Pass an interview/screening
11. Submit an EPP Application
12. Pay the $35 TEA Technology Fee

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.