EPS: Educator Preparation Services

Texas A&M University–Central Texas successfully creates new educators for Texas and gives them professional and personal skills to successfully enter the workforce.
Request Information
Academic Resources
contact Phone: 254.519.5464 Email: [email protected] Location & Hours: Warrior Hall, WH-322
M-F 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
contact Phone: 254.519.8737 Email: [email protected] Location & Hours: Warrior Hall, WH-322
M-F 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Overview

Welcome to Texas A&M University–Central Texas Educator Preparation Services (EPS). EPS assists undergraduate and graduate students from application through standard certification through the Texas Education Agency (TEA). This department guides the educator data portal, field-based experience, clinical experiences, practicums, testing, and certification.

Educator Preparation Programs

Initial Teacher Steps to Certification and Calendar of Program Activities

  1. Prior to Educator Preparation Program Admission
    1. Prerequisites – see catalog for specific program requirements
  2. Applications
    1. See university calendar for deadlines
    2. See application packet
      1. Application packet and the handbook contain information about background checks
  3. Program Requirements
    1. Certification Testing
    2. Program Curriculum
    3. 50 hours of interactive field-based experience
  4. Clinical Experience
    1. ACP/MAT – Internship or Clinical Teaching
    2. BSED – Enhanced Yearlong Residency
    3. Education Minor – Clinical Teaching
  5. Degree Conferral
  6. Certification
    1. Program Benchmarks
    2. Enhanced Residency – last days of school

1. Teacher Application Process

To start the application process and receive more information about the program, contact the Program Coordinator:

Prior to enrolling in any certification courses, a student should first review program guidelines found in the current university catalog or by reviewing previous catalogs depending on when the applied and entered the EPP program. Program admissions and program standards are subject to change in regards to State Board of Educators (SBEC), Texas Education Agency (TEA) rulings and/or by academic year at any given time.

Application

Application process must be completed no later than
September 1, November 1,  February 1 for a Spring start.  May 20, August 1 for Fall start. 

*Students can not take any certification level courses or obtain Field Based Experience until admitted into the program.

Use the following Benchmark Checklist to help guide your process

2. Background Checks

Prior to clinical teaching and field-based experiences, students will undergo school district criminal history checks. Once you are assigned to your placement, check the EPS Canvas page for district-specific instructions. The state of Texas also requires a criminal background check before an individual can receive a Texas teacher certification.

Texas Administrative Code (TAC) 227.101c) states that a person who is enrolled or planning to enroll in a State Board of Educator Certification-approved educator preparation program or planning to take a certification examination may request a preliminary criminal history evaluation letter regarding the person’s potential ineligibility for certification due to a conviction or deferred adjudication for a felony or misdemeanor offense. Information regarding requirements for certification may be found on the TEA website at: https://tea.texas.gov/families-and-students/background-checks-fingerprinting-and-hiring-compliance-requirements

3. Program Curriculum

Educator Preparation Program candidates will follow their specific program’s requirements. More information can be found on their program overview website.

4. Certification Testing

For study resources, please see our EPS Canvas Page. Candidates must be enrolled in courses to access the EPS Canvas page. If you need assistance, please contact [email protected].

Several certification exams are required for teacher certification in Texas. Check the TExES website for information about each required certification exam. All candidates are required to pass their content exam(s) before progressing to the clinical experience. EC-6 certification also requires the Science of Teaching Reading (STR) TExES. ACP and Education Minor teacher candidates will take Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities (PPR) TExES during the clinical experience courses.

To review current Texas Education Agency (TEA) certification testing requirements and exam transition information, please visit: TEA Educator Certification Exams. Please note that certification exams may expire if they are replaced by a new exam before you complete the certification process. If there is a significant delay between passing an exam and applying for certification, you may be required to take the replacement exam. We strongly encourage all candidates to review TEA’s exam transition information regularly to determine whether their certification exam has an expiration date or an upcoming replacement.

For information about statewide and local high-need certification areas, please refer to the program handbook.

School Counselor also has a required TExES exam. Principal certification requires two assessments (Principal as Instructional Leader and Performance Assessment for School Leaders).

Learn More about Testing Download Testing process Flow Chart (PDF)

5. Clinical Placement Information

Application for Clinical Teaching is made well in advance to enable the establishment of appropriate settings for each student.
Clinical Placement Forms are due November 15 for placements in the following Spring semester or June 1 for placements in the following Fall semester. The EPS office assumes full responsibility for contacting the public schools regarding placement of clinical teachers.

6. Field Experience

Texas A&M University–Central Texas candidates participate in field experiences in local school districts each semester. Field experiences are connected to the concepts being taught in the Educator Preparation Program courses. These field experiences allow candidates an opportunity to work with groups of diverse students at several developmental levels.

Candidates must adhere to the Code of Ethics and Standard Practices for Texas Educators and Texas A&M–Central Texas Code of Student Conduct at all times. Additionally, candidates must dress in accordance with the respective school district’s dress code.

You will be with an assigned Mentoring Educator during these learning objective driven field experiences. See syllabi for specific instruction and experiences.

7. Certification Completion

Completion Checklist:

*see program-specific Benchmark Checklist

  • 50 interactive hours of Field Based Experience (FBE)
  • Reflections of experience
  • Clinical Experience Orientation
  • Completed clinical experience requirements
  • Completion of TExES exams (This includes content, STR as appropriate, PPR)
  • Official Transcripts with conferred degree
  • Certification trainings
  • TEA Application and Fingerprinting (log into your TEAL Account)

Military Service Waivers

In accordance with 19 TAC §228.35, military service members or military veterans may be given credit for certain verified military service, training, or education toward the training, education, work experience or related requirements (other than certification examinations) for educator certification requirements, provided that the military service, training, or education is directly related to the certificate being sought. Contact the education department for additional information.

TEA waives certain fees for eligible military service members, military veterans, and military spouses. For more information, please see the TEA website at: https://tea.texas.gov/educators/certification/military-veteran-military-spouse-and-active-duty-military-members

Helpful Links

Contact Us

Contact us by phone, email or visit us in person.
We are located in Warrior Hall, 3rd floor, Suite 322. M-F 8am to 5pm.



Phone: 254.519.5464 Email: [email protected]