Applicants Accepted into TEACH Must Meet Six Criteria

• Hold a bachelor’s degree with an overall grade point average of 2.5 or above on a four-point scale. No grade lower than “C” will transfer into the program.
• Pass all parts of the THEA Basic Skills Test with a minimum score of 230 in mathematics and writing, and a minimum score of 250 in reading. You may substitute a 3.0 or above GPA, GRE, or similar graduate entrance exam for the THEA.
• Submit a criminal record report and fingerprints as required by districts and the State Board for Educator Certification.
• Submit two Letters of Recommendation.
• Submit a one-page Letter of Introduction.
• Complete successfully a screening process that includes completing the Lassi Survey and an Entrance Interview with the program directors.

TEACH Program is aligned closely to the basic requirements of a college or university in-service program. Thus, similar to most colleges/universities, we consider 24 semester hours in a discipline, a “major” and 18 semester hours, a “minor”. We strongly believe that the TEACH Program 24 hour course requirement makes an individual more marketable to an HR personnel director and/or principal. Aside from the student’s marketability, the additional hours in a discipline reduce the failure rate on the TExES content area exam. More importantly, the additional hours ensure a discipline-robust individual teaching in the classroom.

However, the Program is willing to consider (review) your application if you hold 15 to 18 hours in a discipline area. No matter, we continue to encourage all applicants to hold at least a “minor” or at the most a “major” in a particular discipline area.

Sample of Specific State of Texas Certificate Requirements