Admission to Colleges, Departments, and Special Programs (in addition to UTSA Admission)

Information is current at time of publication, but may change without notice due to changes made by the state in the certification programs.

Admission to Teacher Certification

UTSA is approved by the State Board for Educator Certification to recommend students for teaching certificates in various baccalaureate degree areas. Students seeking a standard teaching certificate should apply for admission to the certification program through the Interdisciplinary Education (IDED) Advising Center. See admission requirements below for those students who are still seeking a degree. Accelerated Teacher Certification students (those who already hold a degree) should visit the COEHD website under "Certification Programs" for more information.

Undergraduates seeking elementary, special education, or middle-level teacher certification must complete the B.A. in Equity and Education degree as outlined in the UTSA Undergraduate Catalog or on the COEHD website under Certification Programs. Individuals seeking secondary certification should complete the bachelor’s degree requirements in their academic specialization while coordinating with the Academic Advising Center to fulfill certification requirements. Students wishing to add additional teaching fields to their standard teaching certificate or graduate students seeking professional certification must also coordinate with the Center.

Specific information regarding admission requirements to the Teacher Certification undergraduate certification programs may be obtained in the IDED Advising Center and online at the COEHD website under Teaching Certification Programs. Requirements for admission to the undergraduate Teacher Certification Program include:

1. Completing all core requirements;
2. Having a cumulative grade point average of 2.75 (on a 4.0 scale). Students with less than 2.75 overall cumulative GPA, who demonstrate a 2.5–2.74 GPA can petition GPA if they meet the requirements of the Texas Education Code §21.0441. Students with 3.0 GPA overall cumulative GPA and have a 3.5 GPA in the major at UTSA can be considered for Department Honors.
3. Having completed 12–15 hours of content coursework. Math and Science certification tracks must have 15 hours completed.
4. Reading and acknowledging by signing the Criminal History Policy
5. Submitting authorization for a Texas Department of Public Safety criminal background report
6. Having no active case pending with the UTSA’s Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards (SCCS)
7. Demonstrating TSI has been met or minimum composite passing scores on one of the following: SAT (1040 or higher) or ACT (23 or higher)
8. Demonstrating English Language Proficiency by earning a "C-" or better in a public speaking course (WRC 1013 , WRC 1023, COM 1043 , COM 1053 , COM 2113 ) (AP and CLEP credit for WRC 1013 and WRC 1023 is accepted.)
9. Reading and signing the Texas Educators' Code of Ethics.
10. Passing the Teacher Candidate Quiz with a 72 or higher.
11. Completing the teacher candidate interview screening.
12. EC-6 BBL, 4-8 BBL, 7-12 BBL Supplemental certificate students will be required to take the ALPS test.

Coursework Policy

Students must apply and be accepted to the Teacher Certification Program to be eligible to register for restricted courses. Please refer to the catalog for a list of restricted courses. Courses in the Teacher Certification Program require field work in various educational settings. No student is exempt from this field work requirement. All field work must be completed to receive a passing grade for the course. Field placements are assigned by the Assistant Director of Pre-Clinical Field Experiences. 

Criminal History Checks

UTSA students must submit to a criminal history background check every semester they interact directly with any minor(s) or legal adult(s) of diminished capacity as a requirement for course completion. Students who are unable to meet the criminal background check standards for the school districts may not be able to complete a course or the Teacher Certification Program. If a student is rejected twice by districts in one semester because of criminal history, students will not be able to continue in the program until such time as the criminal background check is cleared. If the offense is one that will preclude field work altogether, the student will be dismissed from the Teacher Certification program. In accordance with Sec. 53.021, Texas Occupation Code, the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) may suspend or revoke a teacher certificate or refuse to issue a teacher certificate for a person who has been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor for a crime that directly relates to the duties and responsibilities of the teaching profession.

Students are encouraged to initiate and maintain contact with an academic advisor in the Academic Advising Center in order to stay informed of certification and graduation requirements.

Criminal History Policy and Acknowledgement

The College of Education and Human Development (COEHD) prepares educators and professionals for fields which require fieldwork, internship, practicum, service-learning and/or clinical teaching. Placements occur in educational, clinical, health care facilities, hospitals, and/or medical settings which require a criminal background check. UTSA is required to inform students of the requirements set forth by the Texas Occupation Code, Chapter 53, Sections 53.001 through 53.105.

All COEHD prospective students in a licensure or certification program are required to acknowledge that they have been made aware of these requirements and that they have read the COEHD Criminal History Policy. For more information and for completing the acknowledgement form, please visit the Office of Professional Preparation, Assessment, and Accreditation in the College of Education and Human Development.

UTSA Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards

To be admitted to the Teacher Certification Program students must be in good standing with UTSA. Students seeking admission to the Undergraduate Teacher Certification Program who have ever been referred to UTSA’s Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards (SCCS) may have those referrals and the outcomes of those referrals considered by the Associate Dean of Professional Preparation and Partnerships (or designee) in determining whether to grant admission to the Program. Admission is at the discretion of the Associate Dean of Professional Preparation and Partnerships (or designee). Students requesting admission to the program who have cases pending with the SCCS will not be admitted until the SCCS case has been fully adjudicated.

Fitness to Teach Policy

The College of Education and Human Development (COEHD) has a responsibility to the educational community to ensure that individuals whom the University recommends to the State of Texas for teaching certification are fit to join the teaching profession. All teacher candidates in the UTSA Teacher Certification Program are expected to demonstrate that they are prepared to teach children and youth. This preparation results from the combination of successful completion of University coursework and the demonstration of important human characteristics and dispositions all teachers should possess. The UTSA Fitness to Teach policy addresses these important aspects of teacher preparation. The Fitness to Teach policy can be accessed from the COEHD website.