The Graduate Certification Program is designed for those candidates who have completed or will complete a baccalaureate degree and desire initial certification to teach in Texas public schools. Candidates are admitted upon recommendation of Department of Teaching, Learning and Culture (TLAC) faculty and progress through the Summer, Fall and Spring semesters as a cohort.

The certification program requires the completion of 21 graduate credit hours and the successful completion of the appropriate State examinations and a full-year public school internship is required of all students. Most candidates have completed the internship requirement through a paid teaching position.

Internship

The potential for a paid internship and the opportunity to apply all course work toward the Master of Education (M.Ed.) degree are unique features of this program.

A professional internship is defined as “Supervised experiences in performing professional functions in classroom settings” (p. 395, Graduate Catalog). Students will be assisted in finding an internship site but are responsible for:

• making application,
• arranging for and attending all interviews,
• and negotiating a salary, responsibilities and duties.

Students will be provided with a letter of introduction explaining the program and course work completed as part of the cohort. When information becomes available, students will be told of job fairs and position openings.

Students meet the internship requirements of the Graduate Certification Program by being hired as a teacher of record and teaching full-time in classes in their certification field in a school district with a salary negotiated with the school district. Internships may be completed in any publicly funded school in Texas.