How to Become a Teacher in Texas
So you want to become a teacher in Texas?
It’s a great time to become a teacher in Texas, because there’s a huge need for qualified teachers!
In this article, we are going to cover three things:
- How to Get Started
- When You Can Be Hired
- Finishing Your Certification
This article is going to cover the basics of becoming a teacher in Texas. At the end of the article, we have some great, more specific articles so you can find your next steps.
How to Get Started
First – Get your Bachelor’s Degree
Every teacher in Texas must have, at minimum, a Bachelors Degree.
That does NOT mean you have to have your degree in Education, just any degree.
If you have a degree in Education, you are most likely completing the Traditional Teacher Certification Route.
But if you have your degree, and NOW want to become a teacher, then you need to complete the Alternative Certification Route.
For the Alternative Certification route, you just need a college degree with a 2.5 GPA or higher. IMPORTANT: That GPA requirement can be your entire college history, or just the most recent 60 hours of college coursework.
Once you complete this requirement (and you probably already have), you need to choose a certification program.
Next – Choose a Certification Program
This is the most important choice you make in your teacher certification journey.
The certification program should be your partner and guide through the complex maze of teacher certification in Texas.
So you want to choose the BEST partner for you!
We would recommend looking at our article on the Best Alternative Certification Programs in Texas.
You want to find a program that has great customer service.
You want to find a program that wants to know your specific situation.
Our top pick is 240 Certification, because you get a personal Program Advisor that is 100% dedicated to your success.
BUT!
Before you can be hired as a teacher in Texas, you must at least be enrolled in a certification program.
Which brings us to our next point…
When You Can Be Hired as a Teacher in Texas
First – Pass your Certification Exam
Before you can be hired as a teacher in Texas, you must first pass your TExES content test.
A TExES content test is a certification exam that is specific to the content you want to teach.
In other words, the state of Texas wants to verify you have mastered the very content you want to teach students.
It makes sense…
For example, if you wanted to teach elementary-age children through six grade in any subject, you would need to take the Core Subjects EC-6 and the Science of Teaching Reading, or STR.
Or if you wanted to teach special education, you would likely need to take the content area you would most like to teach, and tie it to a Special Education certification, such as the Special Education Supplemental or the EC-12 Special Education exam.
THIS IS WHY A CERTIFICATION PROGRAM IS SO IMPORTANT!
Your EPP will work with you to identify all of the content exams you may need or have the prerequisites to take.
For example, many candidates in Texas who have no interest in teaching English as a second language still take the ESL Supplemental exam because having that certification makes them a stronger job candidate and many districts require it. After all, over 20 percent of students are being served through ESLand bilingual programs in Texas. Each district has different requirements, and you should check with your preferred districts for their eligibility requirements.
Basically, determining which content test YOU need to take is a big decision and you need expert advice on what is best for you.
One last point before you are hired. In addition to passing your content test, you will most likely need to complete 150 hours of coursework through your certification program prior to being eligible for hire. This is a state requirement- so no matter which program you go to, you are very likely to complete this requirement.
But there are a few exceptions to this…
Which is why we recommend choosing 240 Certification as your certification program, because you get a personal Program Advisor that is 100% dedicated to your success.
THEN – APPLY FOR TEACHING JOBS
At this point, you have graduated college, enrolled in a certification program, passed your content test (or the preliminary coursework).
Now you are ready to be hired.
Again- this is why a certification program is so important!
You will work with your certification program to navigate how to best apply for and secure a teaching job in Texas.
Once you get a job, you are ready to finish your certification!
Finishing Your Certification
Being “Hired” is a big part of completing your certification.
It is called your “Field Experience”.
Once you complete your field experience and pass the remaining certification exams, you are ready to get your Standard Certification- which is really your “I’m officially a certified teacher” certification.
Once you’ve met all of the program and testing requirements, you can apply for your Standard teaching certificate to become a teacher in Texas.
The application process will require that you pay the application fees and complete the national criminal background check through the fingerprinting process. Your EPP will also need to make a formal recommendation to document the successful completion of their program, including the clinical teaching/internship experience. Once all of this information is completed and syncs in the system, you’re officially a teacher!
Still Have Questions About Teacher Certification?
The first recommendation is to contact 240 Certification and talk with a Program Advisor today.
240 Certification has the best customer service and qualified experts to help you navigate teacher certification in Texas.
For More Articles
#1 Recommended Article
Personalizing Your Teacher Journey – Our Online Guide
Need Help Choosing a Certification Program?
Check out our Best ACPs in Texas
While this is the high-level overview of how to become a teacher in Texas, we walk through the specific paths in the following articles: