About Advising

Undergraduate 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 or seeking certification endorsements should apply for admission to the certification program through the College of Education and Human Development (COEHD) Advising and Certification Center. Applicants may be either degree-seeking or special students.

Undergraduates seeking elementary teacher certification must complete the Interdisciplinary Studies degree as outlined in the UTSA Undergraduate Catalog. Individuals seeking secondary certification should complete the bachelor's degree requirements in their academic specialization while coordinating with the COEHD Advising and Certification Center to fulfill certification requirements.

Specific information regarding admission requirements to the Teacher Certification undergraduate certification programs may be obtained in the COEHD Advising and Certification Center. Requirements for admission to the undergraduate Teacher Certification Program include:

1. viewing the Teacher Certification Information tutorial online*.

*EC-4, 4-8 and Special Education view: IDS Online Tutorial. *Secondary, All Level Health, All Level PE, All Level Music, All Level Art view: Sec. Online Tutorial

2. taking a quick quiz and fill out an online application. Click here for directions to apply

online.

3. attaining junior standing (60 semester credit hours) with at least nine hours completed at UTSA

4. completing all core requirements with a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or better^

(Music Students: See a certification advisor)* GPA Calculator

5. having a minimum grade point average of 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale) on all work completed at

UTSA and a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.5^, GPA Calculator.

6. submitting authorization for a Texas Department of Public Safety criminal background

report**

7. attaining minimum Texas Higher Education Assessment (THEA) scores of 230 (Reading and Math) and 220 (Writing) or meeting exemption requirements as outlined by the COEHD guidelines

8. earning a grade of "C" or better in WRC 1013 and a "C" or better in WRC 1023. This requirment will into effect starting Sept. 1, 2008

 

^Students who do not meet the 2.5 requirment, may qualify for gpa recalculations

For students who are hearing impaired, please click the link below for your respective tutorial. Save the PowerPoint presentation to your desktop to view the narrator’s notes.
*To download the PowerPoint presentation for the IDS Online Tutorial, click here.
*To download the PowerPoint presentation for the Sec. Online Tutorial, click here.
**Criminal History Checks. UTSA students must submit to a criminal history check every semester they interact directly with any minor(s) or legal adult(s) of diminished capacity. Results will be shared with Independent School Districts (ISD) and/or the receiving agency. Students who are unable to provide a clear criminal background check may not be able to complete the Teacher Certification Program. In accordance with Article 6252-13c, Texas Civil Statutes, 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 COEHD Advising and Certification Center in order to stay informed of certification and graduation requirements.