Certification Checklist

Important Checkpoints for completing the certification programs at The University of Texas at Austin, including the programs in Applied Learning & Development or Kinesiology:

• Students must complete the online Professional Development Sequence (PDS) application to take professional education courses. The deadline to apply for fall entry into the PDS is March 1. The deadline to apply for spring entry into the PDS is October 1.

• All students applying to take professional education courses must have a minimum UT Austin GPA. The Early Childhood to Fourth Grade Generalist, Early Childhood to Fourth Grade Generalist with Bilingual Education, and the All-Level Generic Special Education and Kinesiology programs require a minimum 2.5 UT GPA and completion of certain prerequisite courses. Some middle grades, secondary and all-level programs may have higher GPA requirements. For information about specific course and GPA prerequisites for all other certification fields, please meet with an Academic Advisor in SZB 216 (for art, music and theatre arts), UTeach Natural Sciences (for math and science) or UTeach Liberal Arts (for English language arts and reading, history, social studies, and languages other than English) to verify the GPA prerequisites. If more qualified students apply than available number of spaces, admission may be based on selection factors such as GPA in professional courses, number of hours needed to complete the program, and prerequisite completion at the time of application.

• Students must meet the residency requirement for apprentice teaching and certification. All students must apply for teacher certification within three years of completing their Professional Development Sequence in residence (at UT Austin).

• Students must take the appropriate TExES, ExCET, or TOPT certification exams during the last semester of the PDS. Registration information is available at 471-3223.

• If you are seeking certification in French, Spanish, or bilingual education, in addition to the TExES, you need to take the Texas Oral Proficiency Test (TOPT) and pass at the advanced level to be certified to teach the foreign language. Students must take and pass the Spanish Screening Procedure (SSP) before UT will authorize registration to take the TOPT.
   

Applying for Your Certificate

To apply for your certification, you must do the following:

1. Complete all coursework (your degree must be posted on an official transcript). For students who already hold a bachelor's degree, all of your certification courses must be on a UT Austin transcript.

2. Take and pass the appropriate TExES, ExCET, or TOPT certification exams.

3. Pick up an Application for Certification Information Card in SZB 216.

4. Apply for certification through the State Board for Educator Certification website provided on the certification information card.

5. As part of the certification application process, you will be required to submit a fingerprint packet to the State Board for Educator Certification. Directions for this process are included within the online application. A $45 fee is required.

6. Fill out and return the information card to SZB 216.

Within 3 weeks of submitting the certification information card to the UT Certification Officer (SZB 216), your recommendation for certification from UT Austin can be submitted to the State Board for Educator Certification. SBEC will notify you directly when you have been recommended. School districts should have access to your "virtual certificate" within 2 weeks of your notification from SBEC.

If you decide to wait to apply for your certification, you will still go through the same process when you finally decide to apply. However, if you wait longer than three years after you finished your coursework for certification, your situation may have to be reviewed. You may be required to take additional coursework or participate in additional field experiences before you can be recommended to the State for certification.

Note: In accordance with Texas Civil Statutes, the Commissioner of Education may suspend or revoke a certificate, or refuse to issue one, for a person who has been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor for a crime that directly relates to the duties and responsibilities of the teaching profession.

Additional Information:

• TExES, ExCET, and TOPT testing
• Post-baccalaureate Certification
• Certification FAQ

For more information please call (512) 471-3223