Certification through the Graduate Program

Teacher Certification at TCU through the Graduate Program

To obtain initial Texas teacher certification at TCU through the graduate program, students must hold or achieve a master’s degree. They must have completed the Teacher Education Program of the university. Students must also have successfully completed the appropriate teacher certification tests for the subject and grade level they wish to teach.

For a list of degrees and certificates offered at TCU, click here (go to graduate page).
For a list of teacher certification standards and testing www.sbec.state.tx.us.
For test dates, www.texes.nesinc.com

To be eligible to take the state certification exam, students must be in the last semester of the teacher education program. They must have taken and passed the Pre-TExES exams of their chosen program content and professional development and they must register and obtain an official authorization-to-test bar code label from the certification officer. Registration is available by Internet, but TCU requires students to register using the paper registration method. Students are only eligible to register for the exams for programs that they have completed. Upon completion of the registration packet, the student will return the registration form to the certification office. The certification officer will confirm that the student has met all requirements for testing, attach the bar code, and mail the application. The student may not take the bar code out of the certification office.

Test retakes are permitted until a passing score is obtained. Examinees who fail a test may retake the test at any regularly scheduled test administration by submitting a new registration form with and obtaining a new bar code label from the certification officer. However, examinees may need to complete additional requirements established by the program before authorization to retest is granted.

After graduation, successful completion of the teacher education program and passing scores on the required state certification exams, the student will be recommended to the State of Texas for teacher certification by Texas Christian University. The student may request recommendation for certification after completing the following requirements.

Conferred Master’s degree
Successful completion of the teacher education program including the student teaching internship
Passing scores on the required state certification exams
Final GPA of 3.0

The student may request recommendation for certification by applying to the State Board for Educator certification online at www.sbec.state.tx.us.

Select the link titled “ Online Services for Educators”
Log onto the system and select your username and password
Complete the educator profile including a current e-mail address (this is required)
View and print the Remittance Form and attach your check or money order
Mail to the address printed on the Remittance Form

The certification officer will confirm that the student has met all requirements for certification and will recommend the student on behalf of TCU. The state will then conduct a criminal background check on the individual. The student will receive e-mail notification from the state that they have been recommended by the university. Another e-mail will notify the student that certification has been completed by the state. At this point, the educator may view their virtual certificate online at www.sbec.state.tx.us. The physical certificate will be mailed and arrive at the address given in the educator profile. The educator receives the Texas Standard Certificate which is renewable every five years on the educator’s birthday. For renewal requirements visit, www.sbec.state.tx.us.