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How to become a teacher in Texas
Steps drawn from the state's data
- Earn a bachelor's degree. At least one initial credential requires one.
- Complete a teacher preparation program. Texas has 112 Title II providers.
- Complete clinical experience such as student teaching.
- Pass the tests the state requires (Title II reports that tests are required, not which ones).
- Complete a background check or fingerprinting.
- Apply to Texas Education Agency for an initial credential, such as Standard Certificate.
- Career changers can use one of 1 alternative routes instead of a traditional program.
Teacher preparation providers in Texas
| Provider | Program types | Enrollment | Completers |
|---|---|---|---|
| A Career in Teaching-EPP (Corpus Christi) | Alternative, not IHE-based | 75 | 33 |
| A Career in Teaching-EPP (McAllen) | Alternative, not IHE-based | 418 | 157 |
| A+ Texas Teachers | Alternative, not IHE-based | 42,181 | 3,075 |
| Abilene Christian University | Traditional | 143 | 32 |
| ACT - Rio Grande Valley | Alternative, not IHE-based | 305 | 63 |
| ACT-Houston at Dallas | Alternative, not IHE-based | 113 | 71 |
| Alamo Colleges | Alternative, IHE-based | 110 | 13 |
| Angelo State University | Traditional; Alternative, IHE-based | 234 | 95 |
| Arlington Baptist University | Traditional | 2 | 2 |
| Austin College | Traditional | 19 | 8 |
| Austin Community College | Alternative, IHE-based | 166 | 30 |
| Baylor University | Traditional | 378 | 129 |
| Certification 240 | Alternative, not IHE-based | 1,166 | 52 |
| Concordia University | Traditional | 13 | 7 |
| Criswell College | Traditional | 5 | 1 |
| Dallas Baptist University | Traditional; Alternative, IHE-based | 87 | 44 |
| Dallas Christian College | Traditional; Alternative, IHE-based | 1 | 1 |
| Dallas College | Traditional; Alternative, IHE-based | 149 | 2 |
| Dallas ISD | Alternative, not IHE-based | 794 | 125 |
| East Texas Baptist University | Traditional | 95 | 26 |
| Education Career Alternatives Program (ECAP) | Alternative, not IHE-based | 675 | 214 |
| Hardin-Simmons University | Traditional | 62 | 17 |
| Harris County Department of Education | Alternative, not IHE-based | 59 | 3 |
| Houston Baptist University | Traditional; Alternative, IHE-based | 103 | 26 |
| Houston Community College System (ACP) | Alternative, IHE-based | 114 | 7 |
| Houston ISD | Alternative, not IHE-based | 228 | 123 |
| Howard Payne University | Traditional | 52 | 17 |
| Huston-Tillotson University | Traditional; Alternative, IHE-based | 14 | 3 |
| iteachTEXAS | Alternative, not IHE-based | 19,495 | 1,739 |
| Jarvis Christian College | Traditional; Alternative, IHE-based | 3 | 3 |
| Lamar University | Traditional; Alternative, IHE-based | 194 | 62 |
| LeTourneau University | Traditional | 48 | 10 |
| Lonestar Colleges | Alternative, IHE-based | 217 | 19 |
| Lubbock Christian University | Traditional | 67 | 24 |
| McLennan Community College | Alternative, IHE-based | 140 | 38 |
| McMurry University | Traditional; Alternative, IHE-based | 100 | 18 |
| Midwestern State University | Traditional | 217 | 64 |
| North American University | Traditional; Alternative, IHE-based | 18 | 3 |
| Odessa Pathway to Teaching (OPT) | Alternative, not IHE-based | 18 | 0 |
| Our Lady of the Lake University | Traditional | 59 | 21 |
| Paul Quinn College | Traditional | 0 | 0 |
| Prairie View A&M University | Traditional; Alternative, IHE-based | 142 | 21 |
| Region 01 Education Service Center | Alternative, not IHE-based | 45 | 10 |
| Region 02 Education Service Center | Alternative, not IHE-based | 64 | 18 |
| Region 04 Education Service Center | Alternative, not IHE-based | 293 | 181 |
| Region 05 Education Service Center | Alternative, not IHE-based | 134 | 31 |
| Region 07 Education Service Center | Alternative, not IHE-based | 85 | 11 |
| Region 10 Education Service Center | Alternative, not IHE-based | 324 | 97 |
| Region 11 Education Service Center | Alternative, not IHE-based | 193 | 120 |
| Region 13 Education Service Center | Alternative, not IHE-based | 438 | 166 |
About teacher preparation in Texas
The State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) grants educators the authority to govern the standards of their profession. SBEC is responsible for regulating and overseeing all aspects of the certification and continuing professional education of educators, along with setting and enforcing standards of conduct for public school educators in Texas. The SBEC is also charged with the approval and continued monitoring of Texas educator preparation programs. Board rules are designed to promote flexibility and creativity for entities offering educator preparation in designing their programs to address the unique characteristics and needs of their region of the state and the diverse population of potential educators. The administrative functions of SBEC are carried out through the Division of Educator Certification, Preparation, and Enforcement at the Texas Education Agency (TEA).
As of August 2024, there were 164 educator preparation providers accredited by SBEC to prepare and recommend teacher candidates for certification. These programs are operated by colleges, universities, school districts, regional education service centers, community colleges, and private organizations. These programs offer traditional, degree-granting routes along with alternative routes where candidates pursue certification without an additional degree. The educator preparation programs represent diversity in terms of their mission, student populations, size, faculty, resources, geographic location, and other characteristics.
The SBEC has adopted educator certification standards and assessments. Texas currently issues classroom teaching certificates at grade levels from early childhood through grade twelve. Prospective educators must hold an appropriate degree from an accredited institution of higher education, complete a state-approved educator preparation program, pass pedagogy and content pedagogy examinations, and complete a criminal background check. While not included in the following report, Texas also offers additional professional-class certificates for administrative roles (principal, superintendent), and student services (school counselor, educational diagnostician, school librarian, reading specialist).
Full information about the SBEC and TEA, including rules relating to educator preparation, assessment, certification, and professional discipline, and a list of approved educator preparation programs, please see the TEA website.