Teaching Programs in Texas
Teaching is an admirable profession with opportunities to have a positive impact on kids. But you must get the proper training before you can lead a classroom. Now more than ever, that training can be done online.
Granted, field experience is an integral component of becoming a teacher. And while your teacher education classes can be done online, your field experience must be done in person. Throughout Texas, you’ll find online teaching degrees that work with you to find student teaching placements near where you live. This minimizes the need for you to travel while still giving you that much-needed in-classroom experience working with kids.
This guide explores some of the popular teaching programs in Texas. You’ll find bachelor’s-level and master’s-level programs that can fit your educational needs. Let’s get to know each one in more detail!
Online Teaching Degrees in Texas
Listed below are some of the popular schools offering online teaching degrees in Texas:
- Texas Tech University
- Tarleton State University
- University of North Texas
- Texas A&M University
- National University
- Texas Lutheran University
- Texas A&M International University
- American College of Education
- Grand Canyon University
Texas Tech University
Online Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education
The Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Texas Tech University is a unique program in that you earn a B.S. degree and your teacher certification in one calendar year. The accelerated nature of this program is best suited for students who have already completed a significant number of undergraduate credits. For example, if you’ve finished your general education requirements in an associate’s degree, you’ll be well-positioned for success in this program.
Since this is an accelerated program, your studies will be extremely intense. Your coursework is done online, but the student teaching component must be completed in person. In fact, Texas Tech requires you to complete your student teaching in one of many approved district partners throughout the state. Your student teaching experience will be supervised by a site coordinator and a mentor teacher to ensure you get the necessary guidance to become an effective teacher.
As for the curriculum, you’ll take classes in a couple of different categories. First, you must complete general education courses, which, as mentioned above, should be finished before applying to this program. Second, you’ll take education-specific classes to build your competency as a classroom teacher.
For example, you’ll take classes like Mathematics for K-8 Curriculum, Early Literacy in the School Setting, and Health and Physical Education for EC-6 Instruction. Likewise, you must take classes that introduce you to teaching other core subjects to your students, such as:
- Essential Elements of Music
- Regional Geography of the World
- Art Education
- Teaching Social Studies
- Teaching Science
Alongside these content areas, you must also take teacher education classes. For example, you’ll take a course called Introduction to Teaching that examines the basic features of the teacher education program and helps you build the necessary skills for being a successful pre-service teacher. Likewise, you’ll take Programs and Services for Special Populations, which sheds light on what you need to do to make your classroom inclusive of all students regardless of their abilities.
Another primary course is Behavior Management in General and Special Population Classrooms. This class explores classroom management designs and strategies that enable you to create a learning environment that challenges students to learn and do so in an orderly and respectful manner. Other education courses you’re required to take include the following:
- Applications of Technology in Education
- Designing Assessments for General and Special Populations
- Content Area Development for Special Populations
- Advanced Methods for Special Populations
Note that Texas Tech offers undergraduate degrees in several middle-level and secondary areas as well.
This is a highly competitive program – more students apply to this program than are accepted each year. As such, you should have an excellent collegiate academic profile and show promise as a prospective teacher. The teacher education program takes numerous factors into consideration when making admissions decisions, including your overall college GPA.
But first, you must be admitted to Texas Tech University. To do so as a first-year student, you must complete the following steps:
- Apply to Texas Tech
- Pay a $75 application fee.
- Submit official high school transcripts.
- Submit optional items such as SAT or ACT scores, a resume, letters of recommendation, and/or a personal essay.
Again, the steps listed above are necessary to gain admission to Texas Tech. Once admitted, you’ll need to complete a large portion of the credits required to graduate before enrolling in the one-year teacher education program.
Tarleton State University
Online Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Education
At Tarleton State University, you can earn an online Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Education that enables you to teach at the secondary level at schools throughout Texas. The program not only prepares you to be a competent agricultural educator, but it also prepares you to be an advisor for FFA, the student organization representing future agricultural workers.
This 120-credit program typically takes four years to complete. While the coursework is completed online, you must participate in on-site student teaching at an approved school district. What’s more, even though this degree includes online coursework, you must be a student at Tarleton State’s Stephenville campus to be eligible for online classes.
As you’d expect, the classes for this degree focus on agriculture and education. You’ll first complete general education classes like English Composition I and II, Biology, Chemistry, and various social sciences courses. You’ll also take classes in communications, the arts, humanities, and math.
The agricultural component focuses on a wide range of topics that are necessary for you to master as a future teacher. On the one hand, you’ll take Introduction to Agricultural Economics, which explores how agricultural businesses relate to the American Economic System. On the other hand, you’ll take classes like Horticulture, which analyzes different types of plant classifications and structures. You’ll also learn how to build greenhouses, manage orchards, and propagate plants.
You’ll take classes related to farm animals, too. For example, you’ll take Animal-Related Systems, which teaches you how to identify, select, and evaluate animals like poultry for purchase. You’ll learn how to feed and train livestock, too. Another key course is General Animal Science. You’ll study cattle, sheep, horses, goats, and other animals with regard to their nutrition, handling, reproduction, and general management. Other required agriculture-related classes include the following:
- Introduction to Agricultural Services and Development
- Analysis of Agricultural Occupations
- Premier Leadership in Agriculture
- Introduction to Mechanical Agriculture
- SAE Development in Agriculture Education
You’ll then complete the teaching methods component of the program. As is typical of undergraduate teaching degrees, the education courses focus specifically on topics like Content Area Literacy, Educational Psychology, and Agriscience Course Building.
Furthermore, you’ll take a Foundations of Teaching class that helps you build a better understanding of adolescent learners and their needs, and the implications this has on curriculum and instruction in an agriculture classroom. Additionally, you’ll gain insights into social and psychological factors that influence students’ learning and how to account for that in your teaching methods.
Another education-related course you’re required to take is Instructional Strategies for Middle and Secondary Classrooms. The purpose of this class is to help you understand teaching standards at the local, state, and federal levels, and how to devise instructional activities that align with those standards.
As mentioned earlier, student teaching is a requirement of this program. This experience is 12 weeks long and must take place in an approved public school system in Texas. You’ll complete this requirement during the final year of the program.
You must meet the following criteria to apply as a first-year student from a public high school:
- Be in the top 75 percent of your high school graduating class (students in the top 50 percent are automatically admitted, while students in the 51-75 percentile will be individually reviewed for admission).
- Submit official high school transcripts.
- Submit official transcripts from every college or university from which you’ve earned credit.
University of North Texas
Online Master of Education in Elementary Education
If you already have a bachelor’s degree and want to advance your education with a master’s program, the Master of Education in Elementary Education from the University of North Texas is a popular option. With just 12 classes worth 36 credits, you can finish this degree in about two years of full-time studies. That makes this degree a time-saving option, too!
The curriculum is divided into several components. First, you’ll complete four common core courses that build a solid foundation of understanding of elementary education principles. You’ll take a class entitled Everyone Can Learn: Applying Theory to Teaching Practice that prepares you to teach in a diverse classroom setting. You’ll learn how to adjust your teaching to the needs of students with varying levels of social, cognitive, moral, and physical development, as well as students with diverse cultures, intelligence levels, and learning styles.
Likewise, you’ll take Curriculum Development for Culturally Diverse Learners, which helps you understand how to adjust learning activities to be inclusive and multicultural in nature. A course on Maintaining Classroom Discipline is also required and teaches you how to motivate and instruct diverse students while also learning how to build a classroom environment that is rich, stimulating, and orderly, too.
The final common core course is your choice of two literacy classes. You can choose Literacy Development for English Learners if you wish to focus your attention on students for whom English is not their native language. Alternatively, you can choose to take Literacy for All, which explores concepts related to literacy development for students in fourth through eighth grades.
The next component of this degree is the specialization courses. These classes are specific to the type of teaching certification you wish to pursue. For example, if you’re interested in working with elementary-aged English language learners, you might work toward the EC-6 ESL Generalist Certification. Conversely, if you’re interested in teaching science, you might pursue the certification for teaching fourth through eighth-grade science. Other options include the following:
- EC-6 Bilingual Generalist Certification
- 4-8 Math Certification
- Secondary Certification
In each case, the classes you take are specific to the specialization. For example, if secondary education is your area of interest, you’re required to take 12 hours of coursework in your field (e.g., math, science, social studies). You’ll then complete student teaching assignments to get real-world experience.
Now let’s assume you’re interested in teaching middle-level math. In that case, you’ll take 12 hours of coursework in teaching math, as well as professional courses like Public Education and the Teaching Profession and Instructional Methodologies in Mathematics and Science. Likewise, you’ll complete student teaching in a middle-level classroom environment.
More specifically, you’re required to complete six credits of education foundations or pedagogy courses and six credits of student teaching or internship. The student teaching option is designed for candidates in the post-baccalaureate program who do not already hold a bachelor’s degree. The internship option is for students who have already completed an undergraduate degree.
You must meet the following requirements to apply:
- Pay a $75 application fee.
- Have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
- Submit official undergraduate transcripts from every college or university you’ve attended.
- Have a 3.0 GPA or higher (this is highly recommended but not required).
- Submit other materials as directed (e.g., GRE scores, letters of reference, resume or curriculum vitae, etc.).
Texas A&M University
Online Master of Education / Master of Science in Special Education
At Texas A&M University, you can complete either a Master of Education or a Master of Science in Special Education that prepares you to work with special needs students of all ages. This program does not require you to have a teaching certificate. However, significant experience as a teacher or a clinician is highly recommended.
This 36-credit program is fully online and requires two years of full-time study. The coursework explores many different aspects of special education. For example, you’ll take an Assessment in School Settings course that examines various tests and measurements you’ll be expected to perform with special needs students. This might include IQ examinations, tests focused on academic capabilities, or social development tests, to name a few.
Additionally, you’ll take courses like Multicultural and Bilingual Special Education. This class is important for working with students in any setting, but it’s especially important in special education classrooms in many Texas school districts, given the large number of students for whom English is not their native language.
Alongside those classes, you’ll take several courses focusing on applied behavior analysis. Essentially, applied behavior analysis is a type of one-on-one therapy to assist special education students in developing improved social skills. This type of therapy is most often used with children who have autism and is successful in addressing the following:
- Improving self-control.
- Helping regulate mood.
- Easing the transition from one task or environment to the next.
- Improving the ability to communicate.
- Making it easier to learn new skills.
Other required coursework focuses on literacy for special education students. For example, You’ll take Early Literacy for Students with Diverse Instructional Needs that analyzes the best methods for teaching special education students how to read. Naturally, students will have varying levels of abilities, so learning how to differentiate your instruction to address each child’s specific literacy needs is of paramount importance.
You’ll supplement that class with Adolescent Literacy for Students With Diverse Needs. This course is a natural progression from the Early Literacy class and focuses on additional techniques you can use with older students to improve their literacy skills. This, in turn, helps prepare students for integration into mainstream classrooms where applicable.
This degree also affords you the opportunity to seek certification as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. You can also pursue an Applied Behavior Analyst Certificate. To do so, you must complete the three-course Applied Behavior Analyst sequence described earlier. You must also take the following classes:
- Single-Case Experimental Design
- Assessment in School Settings
- Ethical and Professional Conduct in Special Education and Applied Behavior Analysis
- Prevention, Support, and Intervention for Students With Emotional and Behavior Problems
Texas A&M requires you to meet the following requirements to be considered for admission:
- Pay an $89 application fee.
- Have an undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university. A 3.0 cumulative undergraduate GPA is strongly recommended.
- Submit transcripts from every college or university you’ve attended.
- Provide a statement of purpose in which you explain your interest in the program and your professional goals.
- Submit a resume or curriculum vitae.
- Submit three letters of recommendation.
This program is available for eligible students in Texas. Eligible out-of-state students can apply as well.
National University
Online Bachelor of Arts in Social Science
You can pursue a Bachelor of Arts in Social Science at National University with a focus on teaching and learning in a single subject. By completing this program, you are prepared for a career in teaching social studies at the middle or high school level in California, as the program leads to a Preliminary Single Subject Teaching Credential.
You are required to complete 180 quarter credits to graduate, which typically involves four years of full-time study. During this time, you’ll engage in general coursework, major coursework, and teacher education coursework.
Your general education requirements will include studies across a broad range of fields, including math, science, and social science. Once you complete these general courses, you’ll advance to major-area topics such as U.S. History I and II World Civilizations I and II and Introduction to Politics. Additional foundational courses for your major will include:
- American Politics
- Geography
- Principles of Macroeconomics
- Principles of Microeconomics
Afterward, you’ll proceed to upper-level studies, which will involve courses that focus on specific social science fields. For example, in a course entitled The Ancient World, you’ll examine human history from 10,000 B.C.E. to 500 B.C.E., covering the development of agriculture and the formation of complex societies worldwide, including the Aegean civilization in the Mediterranean.
Another required upper-level course, The Modern World – 1500 to Present, will allow you to explore how the world has evolved over the past 700 years. You’ll study topics like colonial expansion the Industrial Revolution global wars and the post-Cold War world.
Additional studies in this part of the program will focus on:
- American Colonial Experience
- Historical Theories and Methods
- U.S. Between Wars, 1865-1917
- U.S. Since World War I
- California History
You’ll also need to complete a capstone research project in which you’ll write a research paper that enhances your understanding of a specific historical topic.
The teacher education portion of the program begins with foundational courses that will help you understand the American educational system. You’ll examine various factors that influence a child’s learning, including social psychological and economic forces. You’ll also learn essential learning theories factors of human development and how to incorporate these elements into lesson planning and teaching.
Other teacher education courses will address critical topics such as literacy language development and integrated design. You’ll learn how to create short-term and long-term curricula, align instruction and assessments with content standards, and apply evidence-based approaches to implement California Common Core standards in the classroom.
The final part of your program is the student teaching experience, which will take place in a K-12 classroom at an approved school. You’ll need to complete at least 600 instructional hours during this placement, which requires 16-18 weeks of full-time student teaching. You’ll fulfill this requirement under the guidance of an experienced teacher.
You can apply to this program online. Ensure you meet the following requirements before applying:
- Complete the online application. There is no application fee.
- Hold a high school diploma or its equivalent.
- Submit official high school transcripts or equivalency scores.
- Submit official transcripts from every college or university you’ve attended.
National University allows you to apply at any time during the year, streamlining the application process. Upon applying, the university’s admissions team will guide you through the process to ensure your timely enrollment.
Can You Be a Teacher in Texas Without a Degree?
No, you can’t be a teacher in Texas without a degree. In Texas, becoming a certified teacher typically requires a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university. However, there are alternative certification programs (ACPs) that allow individuals without a degree in education to enter the teaching profession.
These programs are designed for people who have a bachelor’s degree in a field other than education. Through an ACP, you can start teaching in a Texas school while completing the requirements to become fully certified .
In some cases, there are options for those without a degree at all to teach in specific areas, such as Career and Technical Education (CTE), where relevant work experience can substitute for a degree. However, this is less common and usually subject to strict guidelines .
In short, most teaching positions in Texas require a degree, but alternative routes exist for those without a traditional education background.
What are the Requirements to Become a Certified Teacher in Texas?
To become a teacher in public schools in Texas, you must first obtain licensure. The information provided below specifically relates to teaching requirements in Texas:
- Earn a bachelor’s degree.
- Complete an Educator Preparation Program.
- Pass the certification exam.
- Submit a state application.
- Complete a criminal background check and fingerprinting.
Bachelor’s Degree
You need a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution to qualify as a teacher in Texas. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board must approve the accrediting agency. Accreditation ensures that the school adheres to standards that equip students with necessary skills for their chosen fields. You are not required to have a degree in education to begin a teaching career in Texas.
Educator-Preparation Program
An educator-preparation program (EPP) will help you prepare for the certification exams needed to teach in Texas. Some bachelor’s programs include EPPs as part of their curriculum. If you didn’t earn a degree in education, you can complete an EPP after graduation.
Certification Exam
In Texas, you must pass a certification exam in the subject and grade level you wish to teach. For example, if you want to teach third grade, you’ll need to pass a certification exam that covers core subjects from early childhood through grade six. You can’t fail the exam more than four times. You can register for this exam through the Texas Education Agency (TEA).
State Application
Once you pass the exam, you must submit a state application to become a teacher in Texas. You can do this using the state’s Educator Certification Online System. Make sure to verify your eligibility before submitting the application.
Background Check
As a first-time applicant, you’ll need to undergo a criminal background check and fingerprinting. The TEA offers a preliminary criminal history evaluation for a non-refundable fee. This option is useful if you’re unsure about how your background might affect your eligibility.
What are the Alternative Certification for Teachers in Texas?
If you’re switching careers or hold a degree in a non-education field, alternative certification programs (ACPs) are available. The steps below outline how to complete an ACP in Texas.
Choose a Subject and Grade Level to Teach
You should decide which subject and grade level you want to teach. Your choice will determine the program you complete and the certification you require. Some EPPs offer assistance in helping you choose your path.
Select an Alternative Certification Program
You can typically finish an ACP within 12 months. The TEA’s website provides a list of alternative programs. ACPs allow you to teach in classrooms or intern in schools, sometimes with compensation.
Get a Teaching Assignment
After gaining admission to an ACP, you’ll receive a statement of eligibility. The next step is to secure a teaching assignment. Some ACPs assist with placement in schools. At the school, you’ll work under the guidance of a mentor.
Apply for a Probationary Certificate
To begin a teaching internship, you must apply for a probationary certificate through the state. This certificate is valid for one year. You’ll need to apply online, pay the fee, and complete a criminal background check.
Complete Requirements for Standard Certificate
To apply for a standard certificate, you’ll need to finish your ACP training and internship and pass the certification exam. You must complete these requirements within the year that your probationary certificate is valid to become a teacher in Texas.
Apply for Your Standard Certificate
Once you’ve completed all requirements, you can apply for your standard certificate online. Your ACP program will recommend you to the state. You’ll follow the same application process as other candidates to begin your teaching career in Texas.
What are the Continuing Education Requirements for Teachers in Texas?
You must renew your standard certificate every five years. To renew, you’ll need to show that you’ve completed 150 hours of continuing professional education (CPE). If you hold an administrative or student services certificate, you must complete 200 CPE hours.
CPE must be related to your certification area. Of the 150 hours, a portion must be dedicated to specific CPE topics like digital teaching or working with diverse student populations. Acceptable CPE activities include workshops, institutes, and independent study. Graduate-level courses can also count toward CPE hours.