Question 1

WHEN CAN I SEEK EMPLOYMENT AS A TEACHER?

Accepted Answer

You may begin applying for teaching positions as soon as you are admitted to TXITE. Once admitted, you should start seeking employment right away while working quickly through the required coursework so you can receive approval to take the TExES exams and qualify for a Statement of Eligibility (SOE) for teacher employment.
Your Statement of Eligibility (SOE) is issued after you pass the required TExES exams. For an Intern Certificate, you must pass the required TExES content exam. For a Probationary Certificate, you must also pass the PPR exam.
You will request approval to take the official TExES exams, and later request your SOE after passing the exams, in Mission 4301. Once you are hired, your school district will complete the SOE and send it to TXITE for processing. After TXITE processes the completed SOE, it will be sent to you. You will then enroll in the Professional Internship, upload your SOE, and apply for your Texas Intern or Probationary Teacher Certificate through your TEAL account. TXITE will then approve the certificate.
In short, you may start seeking employment immediately upon admission, and by working quickly through the required coursework and exams, you can be ready to start teaching with full salary and benefits in about 2 months.

Question 2

WHERE CAN I TEACH?

Accepted Answer

You may teach in any public or charter school in Texas or in any private school recognized by the Texas Education Agency.

Question 3

WHAT IS THE APPLICATION DEADLINE?

Accepted Answer

There are no application deadlines. Although we admit applicants on a "rolling" basis throughout the year, everyone is encouraged to apply several months in advance of their anticipated hiring date as a classroom teacher.

Question 4

WHAT IS THE GPA REQUIREMENT?

Accepted Answer

All applicants must submit a 2.5 cumulative GPA or 2.5 GPA achieved over the last 60 semester hours. Applicants with a GPA less than 2.50 must pass the designated PACT exam.

Question 5

WHAT WILL I LEARN IN THE PROGRAMS?

Accepted Answer

In the Pre-Teaching and Professional Teaching Internship Programs, you will master the following learning outcomes:

Pre-Teaching Program
PLO 1: Create standards-based instructional plans to enhance critical thinking skills and student learning outcomes.
PLO 2: Critically evaluate students’ developmental and learning needs to design instructional practices that optimize learning and behavioral outcomes.
PLO 3: Create high-quality educational services by integrating content knowledge and pedagogical expertise grounded in professional teaching standards.
PLO 4: Create empathetic, structured learning environments that promote student belonging, positive behavior, and moral conduct.
PLO 5: Critically analyze and synthesize quantitative and qualitative assessment data to design, justify, and refine evidence-based instructional strategies and targeted interventions that improve student learning outcomes.
PLO 6: Demonstrate ethical leadership, professional integrity, and responsible decision-making in alignment with state standards and the Texas Educator Code of Ethics.
PLO 7: Critically synthesize and apply advanced knowledge of special education, bilingual education, and culturally responsive pedagogy to design equitable and accessible learning experiences for diverse learners.
PLO 8: Demonstrate the pedagogical content knowledge, professional competencies, and exam readiness required to qualify for a Texas Intern or Probationary Teacher Certificate.
PLO 9: Critically analyze classroom observations and professional experiences to inform reflective practice, instructional improvement, and professional growth.
PLO 10: Integrate restorative practices, instructional innovation, and educational technology to promote student engagement, classroom resilience, and academic success.

Professional Teaching Internship Program
PLO 11: Exhibit mastery of the Texas Teacher Standards through effective professional practice and documented impact on student learning as a Teacher of Record.

Question 6

WHAT IS ALTERNATIVE TEACHER CERTIFICATION?

Accepted Answer

Alternative teacher certification refers to the route of educator certification. Most certified teachers in Texas are prepared through the alternative route programs, such as The Texas Institute for Teacher Education. Teacher candidates who complete our fast-track certification program earn a Texas Standard Teacher Certificate issued by the Texas State Board for Educator Certification, a division of the Texas Education Agency.

Question 7

I AM IN MY LAST SEMESTER OF COLLEGE. MAY I STILL ENROLL?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The applicant must be currently enrolled in and expects to complete the courses and other requirements for obtaining, at a minimum, a bachelor's degree at the end of the semester in which admission to the program is sought; An applicant admitted on a contingency basis may begin program training and may be approved to take a certification examination, but shall not be recommended for an intern or a probationary certificate until the bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited institution of higher education (IHE) has been conferred.

Question 8

I WANT TO TRANSFER FROM ANOTHER TEXAS PROGRAM. DO I NEED TO START OVER?

Accepted Answer

No. We will credit you for all professional competencies previously mastered. Be sure to submit a Transfer Form completed by your previous program.

Question 9

CAN I TRANSFER MY TEXAS STANDARD TEACHER CERTIFICATE TO ANOTHER STATE?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification (NASDTEC) Interstate Agreement facilitates the movement of educators among the states and other jurisdictions that are members of NASDTEC and have signed the Agreement. Although there may be conditions applicable to individual jurisdictions, the Agreement makes it possible for an educator who completed an approved program and/or who holds a certificate or license in one jurisdiction to earn a certificate or license in another state or jurisdiction. Receiving states may impose requirements which must be met in a reasonable period of time.

Question 10

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AN INTERN/PROBATIONARY TEACHER OF RECORD AND A CLINICAL TEACHER?

Accepted Answer

Intern or Probationary Teachers of Record are classroom teachers earning a full teacher salary and benefits. Before you enter the classroom you are required to pass all TExES Content exams for the Intern Certificate. For the Probationary Certificate, you also need to pass the PPR exam. Clinical Teachers are basically “Student Teachers” who complete an unpaid, 14 week internship under the supervision of a certified, veteran educator.

Question 11

WHEN WILL I RECEIVE A STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY (SOE) FOR TEACHER EMPLOYMENT?

Accepted Answer

Once admitted to the program, you may start applying for a teacher position. Your Statement of Eligibility (SOE) for the Professional Internship  is awarded once you pass your TExES Content/PPR Exams. It is written evidence of your eligibility for a Texas Intern or Probationary Teacher Certificate based upon passed TExES Content and PPR exams. You will request approval to sit for the official TExES exams (and the SOE after passing the exams) in Mission 4301.    Once hired, your school district will complete the SOE and forward it to us for processing. After processing, we will send the completed SOE to you. Once you receive the SOE from us, you will enroll in the Professional Internship to upload your SOE. After enrollment in the Professional Internship, you will apply for your Texas Intern/Probationary Teacher Certificate through your TEAL account. Once done, we will approve your Texas Intern/Probationary Teacher Certificate.

Question 12

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO EARN THE TEXAS STANDARD TEACHER CERTIFICATE?

Accepted Answer

You will earn the Texas Standard Teacher Certificate in about 12 months (two months for pre-teaching coursework and one full school year for a professional practicum as a fully paid and benefitted Teacher of Record).

Question 13

CAN I COMPLETE MY PROFESSIONAL PRACTICUM IN ANOTHER STATE?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The 14-week professional practicum may be completed within another state or country under the following conditions: TEA must approve a school that is not a public school accredited by the TEA as a site for field-based experience, internship, clinical teaching, and/or practicum. All Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) schools, wherever located, and all schools accredited by the Texas Private School Accreditation Commission (TEPSAC) are approved by the TEA for purposes of field-based experience, internship, clinical teaching, and/or practicum. An EPP may file an application with the TEA for approval, subject to periodic review, of a public school, a private school, or a school system located within any state or territory of the United States, as a site for field-based experience. The application shall be in a form developed by the TEA staff and shall include, at a minimum, evidence showing that the instructional standards of the school or school system align with those of the applicable Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) and SBEC certification standards. An EPP may file an application, with the appropriate fee specified in §229.9(6) of this title, with the TEA for approval, subject to periodic review, of a public or private school for a candidate's placement located within any state or territory of the United States, as a site for clinical teaching or practicum required by this chapter: (i) The clinical teaching or practicum site may be approved for a candidate who must complete requirements outside the state of Texas due to the following reasons if they occur following admission to the EPP: (I) military assignment of candidate or spouse; (II) illness of candidate or family member for whom the candidate is the primary caretaker; (III) candidate becomes the primary caretaker for a family member residing out of state; or (IV) candidate or spouse transfer of employment.

Question 14

WHAT ARE THE TECHNOLOGY REQUIREMENTS?

Accepted Answer

To participate in scheduled Zoom meetings, teacher candidates must have access to their own computer and a high-speed internet connection. A webcam and microphone are  recommended  and  may  be  required  for  certain  activities.  If  class  or  instructor meetings are held, they will take place via Zoom, and participants should join from a quiet location whenever possible. To ensure clear communication, candidates should turn on their video when possible and mute their microphone unless speaking. Candidates  should  be  proficient  in  basic  computer  skills,  including  sending  and receiving  emails,  managing  attachments,  using  a  web  browser,  searching  for resources, downloading and installing software, and utilizing browser plug-ins such as PDF  readers  and  video/audio  players.  Familiarity  with  word  processing  and presentation  software  (Microsoft  Office,  Google  Docs,  or  equivalent)  is  necessary, along with knowledge of common file formats such as .pdf, .rtf, .doc, .docx, and .txt. Additionally, candidates should be able to scan and convert handwritten work into PDF files and demonstrate the ability to learn new technology independently using tutorials, online guides, or support services.

Question 15

CAN I TEACH IF I HAVE A CRIMINAL RECORD?

Accepted Answer

Applicants to The Texas Institute for Teacher Education (TXITE) may request a Preliminary Criminal History Evaluation through the Texas Education Agency (TEA) if they have concerns about how a criminal history may impact their eligibility for certification.
The preliminary evaluation is a formal review conducted by TEA to determine whether an individual’s criminal history may affect their ability to obtain a Texas educator certificate.

Frequently Asked Questions