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Undergraduate Certificate Requirements

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In addition to meeting degree requirements, individuals seeking to teach in the elementary, middle school and high schools of the state must meet specific certification requirements. These include passing an approved basic skills test, formal admission to the Educator Preparation Program (EPP), the satisfactory completion of structured field experiences, satisfactory performance on required subject area and professional competency examinations, compliance with an investigation to determine absence of a criminal history, and completion of a certification application accompanied by the required fee. Information related to these requirements follows:

Admission to Teacher Education

The student expecting to enter a program leading to teacher certification should apply for admission to the Educator Preparation Program (EPP) as part of the course responsibilities for EDUC 3302 or during the first education course. This application should be filed with the School of Education. Requirements for admission to and retention in teacher education include:

* Filing a completed application for admission to teacher education. Application for admission to teacher education is available from the education coordinator on each campus. (If denied admission, the student must reapply to be considered for admission when the deficiency is resolved.)

* A minimum overall grade point average (GPA) of 2.7 for the last sixty hours of academic work attempted.

* Satisfactory completion of all basic skill requirements as specified in state administrative code, including 9 hours of English.

* English and Math core requirements require a grade of C or better in each course.

* Evidence of oral communication proficiency as demonstrated in an interview. Completion of at least 12 credit hours in the subject-specific content area for the certification sought (15 credit hours are required for science and mathematics certifications):
Δ BSIS elementary core subjects, BSIS middle school core subjects, and BSIS elementary core subjects/all level SPED: completion of 12 hours (15 hours for science and mathematics certifications) from 3 of the following 4 content areas: English, Math, History, Science
Δ BSIS middle school, BA middle school: 6 hours from content area teaching field and 6 hours from English, Math, History, or Science with 12 hours total encompassing 3 of the 4 content areas (15 hours for science and mathematics certifications)
Δ BA, BM, BS, BBA: 12 hours in content area teaching field (15 hours for science and mathematics certifications)

* Recommendation by the Teacher Education Committee (the committee is composed of faculty members from the various schools offering teacher certification). It is the function of the committee to review the student’s application and determine whether the student is admitted to the teacher education program.

* Any conduct not in harmony with University standards (see University Student Handbook) may constitute grounds for dismissal from the teacher education program. State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) is responsible for disciplining educators, applicants for certification, and examinees taking certification exams for conduct indicating unsuitability to teach as well as unethical conduct. WBU and SBEC will enforce the Educator’s Code of Ethics. The Teacher Education Committee assumes the role of determining whether the behavior is detrimental to performance as a teacher and delineating pertinent details of the alleged misconduct or of the incident. The Teacher Education Committee shall review the documentation and other pertinent information regarding the alleged misconduct or violation of university policy or Code of Ethics, and determine an appropriate action pertaining to retention, conditional retention, or dismissal from the teacher education program.

Clinical Teaching

The clinical teaching experience is considered the beginning of a student’s professional career, and the student’s energies should be directed to the professional assignment. During this placement, the students’ first responsibilities are to students in the classroom of the clinical teaching assignment. As clinical teaching is a 490-hour assignment, it is strongly recommended that students limit outside activities during this time. Outside activities include employment, sports, sororities, fraternities, and cheerleading. Outside responsibilities should not interfere with the clinical teacher’s responsibilities. Therefore, outside employment or taking coursework in addition to clinical teaching is not recommended. If students believe employment is a necessity, it should be restricted to weekends if at all possible. A conference with the student’s University Clinical Teaching Supervisor, the Director of Clinical Experiences, the education advisor at an external campus, or the Dean of the School of Education will determine the best options for the student who must maintain employment. In the event that additional coursework is required to finish a degree, anything beyond one additional course plus the clinical teaching block will require review by the Teacher Education Committee to determine if the student should consider clinical teaching during another term.

Enrollment for clinical teaching term will occur at the campus from which you were admitted to teacher education. Placement recommendation for clinical teaching is a function of the local campus, and no assignment greater than 100 miles from the candidate’s home campus will be permitted, unless consent is granted by the School of Education Dean. Clinical teaching must be completed under the supervision of a 51Æ·²èÔ¼ÅÚ Baptist University Supervisor.

Clinical teachers are guests in the schools in which they teach and serve. Clinical teachers must meet all regulations established by the principal, school administration, and school district. The clinical teaching assignment is made with care and attention to many factors. Adjustments in assignments are not made after the clinical teaching experience begins except for unusual circumstances..

Occasionally, some incompatibility may arise, that interferes with the success of the clinical teaching experience. If this should occur, you are to notify your University Supervisor at once.

Clinical teaching requirements include:

1. Submitting an application for admission to Clinical Teaching. Applications for admission are available from the School of Education or the Education advisor on each campus. (If denied admission to clinical teaching, the student may reapply when the deficiency is corrected. The student is required to submit documentation of deficiency removal and initiate a new application for clinical teaching.)
   
   
2. Updated certification (degree) plan on file in the School of Education office
   
   
3. Signed Texas Educators’ Code of Ethics and Standard Practices for Texas Educators Statement of Affirmation
   
   
4. FERPA Consent to Release Educational Records and Information
   
   
5. Minimum overall GPA of 2.7 for last 60 hours of academic work attempted
   
   
6. 2.7 minimum GPA on professional education courses with no grade below C
   
   
7. Completion at WBU of a minimum of nine credit hours of required professional education courses at the student’s level of certification.
   
   
8. 2.7 GPA in student’s teaching field(s) with no grade below C (completion of all prerequisites for clinical teaching).
   
   
9. Passed the state approved content test prior to the assignment of the clinical teaching experience.
   
   
10. Completion of a criminal background check
    
    
11. Recommendation by the Teacher Education Committee (TEC)

 

Recommendation for Teacher Certification/License

The Texas Education Agency (TEA) through Educator Certification Online System (ECOS), not the university, certifies an individual to teach. The university recommends students for state certification tests. To receive this recommendation, students must have passed a practice exam with at least an 80% score. Certification is not automatic with the completion of an approved program of study but requires the recommendation of the Teacher Education Committee (TEC). Additionally, a student must apply for certification through the state certification entity, ECOS. Students will apply for certification during clinical teaching. Every applicant must submit for finger printing and a criminal background check.

Accountability

The Texas State Board for Educator Certification has assigned 51Æ·²èÔ¼ÅÚ Baptist University teacher preparation program a rating of "Accredited" under the Accountability System for Educators Preparation Programs. Educator preparation programs are held accountable for the performance of teacher candidates on the statewide certification tests. Programs must achieve a minimum pass rate on the test by disaggregated subgroups to receive a rate of "Accredited."

The Texas State Board for Educator Certification has assigned 51Æ·²èÔ¼ÅÚ Baptist University teacher preparation program the following ratings for the past 5 years.

• School Year 2024-2025 Accredited  - Warned
• School Year 2023-2024 Accredited 
• School Year 51Æ·²èÔ¼ÅÚ-2023 Accredited
• School Year 2021-51Æ·²èÔ¼ÅÚ Accredited - Probation
• School Year 2020-2021 Accredited - Not Rated: Declared State of Disaster

 

Exit Policy

In accordance with 19 Texas Administrative Code §228.31(b), the 51Æ·²èÔ¼ÅÚ Baptist University School of Education maintains a published Exit Policy that outlines the conditions and procedures under which a candidate may be dismissed or designated as inactive in the Educator Preparation Program (EPP). This policy is reviewed with all candidates upon admission, and candidates are required to sign an acknowledgment form confirming their understanding and agreement.

A candidate may be designated as inactive if they fail to make satisfactory progress in coursework, training, or field experiences, or if they do not remain continuously enrolled in program requirements. Inactive candidates may be dismissed from the program after two years of inactivity unless institutional policy establishes a shorter time frame. The signed acknowledgment serves as verification that candidates are aware of these expectations and the circumstances that may result in dismissal from the program.

Effect of Supply and Demand

51Æ·²èÔ¼ÅÚ Baptist University provides education certifications in the state of Texas.

If you are desiring an education certification outside the state of Texas, directly contacting the state department or entity responsible for state certification or licensure will ensure the most accurate, up-to-date information.

The following site offers a list of licensing boards, by state, for the most common licenses:

 

Additionally, please review the information on this site for teacher education certification by state:

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