Program & Policy Information

Here you will find flowcharts giving an overview of the pacing and timing of our two tracks.

Program Timeline

All education courses are taught by highly qualified faculty who hold higher degrees and who have many years of experience.

Each member of ATP faculty has taught in public school classrooms with several members of the faculty having administrative experience as well. All faculty are actively involved in both State and National Teacher organizations, frequently take part in educational conferences, and regularly update their courses to reflect best practice.

Coursework for the education student is designed to develop both breadth and depth of intellectual development for becoming a teacher.

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Certification Fields 

TEA recognizes the Austin Teacher Program as an accredited educator preparation program.  The ATP prepares candidates for a Texas standard teaching certificate in the following areas: 

Specific course requirements for each certification field can be found in Teaching/Course Certification Requirements tab. 

Technology Standards 

Pursuant to Texas Education Code 21.0452(b)(5), all students who are enrolled in the educator preparation program at Austin College must demonstrate the ability to use technology.  The ATP has incorporated the TEA Technology Standards for All Teachers into the curriculum. Elements of technology are present in both the undergraduate and graduate educator preparation courses of the Austin Teacher Program. 

Credit for Military Experience 

In accordance with 19 TAC §228.35(a)(5)(A), military service members or military veterans may be given credit for certain verified military service, training, or education toward the training, education, work experience or related requirements (other than certification examinations) for educator certification requirements, provided that the military service, training, or education is directly related to the certificate being sought.  

Interested veterans and active military service members will work with the Office of Military and Veteran Services, the Registrar, and the Education Department in evaluating their Joint Services Transcript and developing a plan to complete their B.A. from Austin College while meeting the requirements for admission to the Austin Teacher Program.

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From the earliest course in the program, EDUC 115, the ATP actively encourages students to seek advising with the appropriate professor to plan their courses for each year. Students in EDUC 225 must have an advising sheet on file before they are able to register for EDUC 351. Students in EDUC 351 meet again with their ATP advisor to evaluate their advising sheet and to complete a degree plan. Finally, in EDUC 475, students are required to consult their ATP advisor about completing their B.A. and develop a degree plan for graduate coursework. 

Arranging a meeting with the appropriate advisor as a freshman is the most efficient way for an interested student to save time and money, while developing a plan that serves their needs during college and also meets their career goals. 

Requirements for Admission to the Graduate Program:

1. Satisfactory completion of Education 475 with a grade of B- or better;
2. Successful instructor teaching evaluation in Education 475;
3. Acceptable to exemplary rating on ATP Competencies;
4. Completion of all undergraduate certification requirements including general education and teaching field(s);
5. A bachelor’s degree from Austin College or another institution and official transcripts of all undergraduate credits earned at any institution of higher education;
6. A minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.75 in all courses at the undergraduate level and 2.75 in the major area or teaching field(s);
7. Three recommendations, generally including at least one Austin College faculty member in the student’s major or certification field and a recommendation from an ATP faculty member with whom they have worked;
8. Proof of oral proficiency; Interview scored by rubric with cut score;
9. Completion of the Austin College writing, quantitative, and foreign language competencies;
10. If the GPA is lower than 2.75, candidates can provide documentation of expertise through providing 2 letters of support from faculty in their certification field or a field that closely supports their teaching field.  These appeal documents should be submitted along with the application;
11. Approval by the Austin Teacher Program Advisory and Admission Committee.

Education Minor

Although not a requirement to enter the Austin Teacher Program, students may choose to minor in Education.   Once Austin Teacher Program undergraduate requirements are completed, the graduate phase can be completed in three semesters.

• Education Minor (5 credits/courses)
• Education 115 “American Education: A Changing Landscape”
• Education 225 “Schools and Society”
• Education 351 “The Learner-Teacher Interaction”
• Education 475 “The Learner, the Teacher, and The Curriculum”
• an Approved Elective

Contingency Admission to ATP

Students apply for admission to the ATP as part of Education 475, and may receive a contingency admission for the semester before graduation if they meet the following requirements:

1. Satisfactory completion of Education 475 with a grade of B- or better;
2. Successful instructor teaching evaluation in Education 475;
3. Acceptable to exemplary rating on ATP Competencies;
4. Overall GPA of at least 2.75 and teaching field GPA of 2.75;
5. SAT, ACT-acceptable score as defined by ATP
6. Successful teaching evaluations and coursework in undergraduate education sequence ( EDUC 225, 351 & 475);
7. Three recommendations generally including at least one Austin College faculty member in the student’s major or certification field and a recommendation from an ATP faculty member with whom they have worked;
8. Proof of oral proficiency; Interview scored by rubric with cut score;
9. Completion of the Austin College writing, quantitative, and foreign language competencies;
10. If the GPA is lower than 2.75, candidates can provide documentation of expertise through providing 2 letters of support from faculty in their certification field or a field that closely supports their teaching field.  These appeal documents should be submitted along with the application.
11. Applications will generally not be considered for cumulative or content GPAs below 2.5
12. Once the BA is conferred, requirements will be checked again, and if all are successfully met, full admission is granted.

Note: All decisions of the ATP Faculty Advisory and Admission Committee are final.

Guidelines for program may be modified due to changes from TEA.

Provisional Admission to the Graduate Phase of the Austin Teacher Program

Although the ATP is a five-year program rather than a fifth-year program, it is possible for a qualified student who has a bachelor’s degree from Austin College or another institution to apply to enter the ATP as a provisional graduate student, completing first the necessary undergraduate courses required either by Austin College or the Texas State Board for Educator Certification. Details concerning admission to the ATP through this route may be obtained from the ATP Office. Austin College is an initial certifying agency and cannot grant a MAT degree to anyone already holding any type of teaching certificate. Admitted individuals may be eligible to substitute experience and/or professional training directly related to the certificate being sought for part of the preparation requirements. The candidate must submit a letter to the director of the program who will then bring the matter before the Austin Teacher Program faculty. Final approval for waiver of requirements rests with that body.

From the first course taken with the ATP, our students are out in the classroom working with students. Throughout the core undergraduate education courses, our students will have opportunities to observe good teaching, participate in planning lessons, collaborate with cooperating teachers, and ultimately present lessons to a variety of students, all while experiencing the demands of multiple grade levels. We believe that classroom experience is invaluable in the development of a teacher, and our candidates typically have 100+ hours before applying for the graduate phase of the program.  

Because our program requires so many undergraduate classroom hours, our students must pass background checks in various local districts to be placed in a classroom. This means teacher candidates should scroupulously avoid any activities that could result in a criminal history. Below is more information about background checks and their implications for program completion, certification, and employment. 

Background Check Requirement/Preliminary Criminal History Evaluation 

Pursuant to 19 TAC §227.1(b)(1), candidates must undergo a criminal history background check prior to employment as an educator.  If you were convicted of an offense that is not considered appropriate for an educator, you could be ineligible to earn certification in Texas (19 TAC §227.1(d)(1)). For more information, visit TEA National Criminal History Checks–FAQs. Even when a certificate is granted, a district may choose not to hire an individual with a criminal history.  

Additionally, pursuant to 19 TAC §227.1(b)(2), candidates must undergo a criminal history background check prior to an internship or clinical teaching.  If you were convicted of an offense that is not considered appropriate for an educator, you could be ineligible to earn certification in Texas. 

Prior to admittance into the ATP and the completion of an internship or clinical teaching, our education students typically spend 100+ hours gaining classroom experience. Each district requires any individual working with students to pass a background check for their district. Any teacher candidate who fails to pass these checks will be unable to complete their placement hours, and thus will not meet programmatic requirements. Therefore, candidates who have a criminal history and continue in the ATP do so at their own risk. Austin College and the Austin Teacher Program are not at fault if a candidate is unable to meet program requirements, denied a teaching certificate, or is unable to find a teaching job because they have a criminal record. 

The Texas Education Agency provides candidates with an opportunity to conduct a preliminary Criminal History Evaluation. This evaluation is a non-mandatory, non-binding evaluation of an individual’s self-reported criminal history. In addition, the agency obtains your name-based Texas criminal history information. The service is provided to the requestor for a non-refundable fee. The requestor will receive an evaluation letter by email from agency staff advising of potential ineligibility for educator certification. Learn more about the Preliminary Criminal History Evaluation. (19 TAC §227.1(d)(3)). 

During undergraduate coursework, ATP candidates receive content and pedagogical information and training essential to passing their certification exams. With their first graduate course, a candidate uses this knowledge to directly prepare for these certification exams through a variety of measures, including: online programs, classroom assignments, in-person practice tests, and preparation seminars.

Once contingently admitted to the ATP, a candidate can receive approval and then register for the approved test. Candidates must pass all content area exams before they can be placed in an internship or clinical teaching position. Additionally, given the demographics of Texas students and the requirements of many districts, most candidates will take and pass the ESL Supplemental exam before beginning their placement. During the seminar course accompanying their placement, candidates will prepare for and take their Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities (PPR) exam. 

The required tests for each certification area are as follows: 

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Exams 

Per TEA, all potential educators must be enrolled in an approved EPP, and meet the necessary requirements to be approved for any certification exam. As an approved educator preparation program, the ATP has an expectation of demonstrated student readiness before any exam approval is granted.  

In order to register for a state test, the candidate must be officially admitted to the Austin Teacher Program with a TEA ID number and have testing approval. Once approved, the student must create an account with the Texas Educator Certification Examination Program (TECEP). Please visit our ATP Forms & Documents page, scroll to Helpful Links & Information, and select the Texas Educator Certification Exam Program Registration link for a pdf that will guide you through the registration process. 

Alternative Testing Arrangements 

In certain cases, a candidate may need an alternative testing arrangement. TECEP can accommodate candidates with disabilities, health-related need, and nursing mothers. These alternative testing arrangements require pre-approval that typically takes about three weeks. Anyone seeking alternative testing arrangements must follow the procedures on the TECEP site and be prepared to apply for approval well in advance of anticipated testing. It is recommended that candidates wait to receive confirmation from TECEP before scheduling their exam appointment at a test center. The ATP encourages any candidate who may need accommodations to research the necessary steps and gather the needed paperwork as part of their test preparation.

Once a candidate has successfully passed their necessary content exams, and if they are approved for an internship, the candidate will need to apply for an Intern Certificate. The process for applying is below, as well as a reminder regarding background checks.

How to Apply for the Intern Certificate 

Log into TEAL  

1. In TEAL, click blue text “Educator” (right above your TEA ID#) 
2. The next screen is a blue screen “Educator Certification Online System” (ECOS) 
3. Click Applications button on the left 
4. Click 4th title down which is “Intern Certificate Texas Program” The cost of the certification fee is $78 per the ECOS window, and $50.25 for fingerprinting fee. The fee must be paid with 48 hours or the certificate application will be deleted. 
5. Click “Apply” button and answer questions. 
6. At the section where it says “I request to be recommended by this Entity” Be sure to select the ENTITY: Austin College (Austin Teacher Program) # 091502. 
7. Be sure to check the boxes for all the questions and click “apply”. 
8. The TEA system will take you into payment and fingerprint payment web pages. 
9. Be sure to pay the fees as appropriate. Your certificate will not post if the fee is not paid. 

Fingerprint Process: When you pay the fingerprint fee at TEA, you will receive the FAST PASS by email with additional information for the fingerprint process. If you do not pay the fee, you will NOT receive the email. Be sure your email in your profile is current and be sure to check your SPAM or JUNK mail just in case the TEA email is filtered by your browser.  

If you already have completed fingerprint information in the TEA system which was uploaded by a district or entity, you will NOT be prompted to complete the fingerprint process again. Any questions regarding fingerprinting should be referred to the Fingerprinting Help Desk. Fingerprint phone is 512.936.840.
*Please note that the TEA HELP DESK has a much quicker response time. 

Background Check Requirement/Preliminary Criminal History Evaluation 

Pursuant to 19 TAC §227.1(b)(1), candidates must undergo a criminal history background check prior to employment as an educator.  If you were convicted of an offense that is not considered appropriate for an educator, you could be ineligible to earn certification in Texas (19 TAC §227.1(d)(1)). For more information, visit TEA National Criminal History Checks–FAQs. Even when a certificate is granted, a district may choose not to hire an individual with a criminal history.  

Additionally, pursuant to 19 TAC §227.1(b)(2), candidates must undergo a criminal history background check prior to an internship or clinical teaching.  If you were convicted of an offense that is not considered appropriate for an educator, you could be ineligible to earn certification in Texas. 

Prior to admittance into the ATP and the completion of an internship or clinical teaching, our education students typically spend 100+ hours gaining classroom experience. Each district requires any individual working with students to pass a background check for their district. Any teacher candidate who fails to pass these checks will be unable to complete their placement hours, and thus will not meet programmatic requirements. Therefore, candidates who have a criminal history and continue in the ATP do so at their own risk. Austin College and the Austin Teacher Program are not at fault if a candidate is unable to meet program requirements, denied a teaching certificate, or is unable to find a teaching job because they have a criminal record. 

The Texas Education Agency provides candidates with an opportunity to conduct a preliminary Criminal History Evaluation. This evaluation is a non-mandatory, non-binding evaluation of an individual’s self-reported criminal history. In addition, the agency obtains your name-based Texas criminal history information. The service is provided to the requestor for a non-refundable fee. The requestor will receive an evaluation letter by email from agency staff advising of potential ineligibility for educator certification. Learn more about the Preliminary Criminal History Evaluation. (19 TAC §227.1(d)(3)). 

All approved educator preparation programs (EPPs) in the state of Texas provide the Texas Education Agency (TEA) and the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) information about their programs as mandated in Texas Education Code §21.045 and §21.0452. This data is used to calculate the indicators in the Accountability System for Educator Preparation (ASEP).  

According to ASEP, the Austin College Teacher Program has a current rating of Accredited, meaning it has met the accountability performance standards set by SBEC.

Per 19 TAC §227.1(c)(3)(B), The Austin Teacher Program is designed to foster the intellectual and professional development of future teachers. Through the guided application of content knowledge, effective pedagogical models, varied field experiences, hands on learning opportunities, and reflective practice, pre-service teacher candidates develop their instructional expertise and acquire professional skills. The acquisition of expertise and skills is reflected in candidate exams, supervisor observations, principal reports, and candidate surveys. 

Our five-year exam performance scores are as follows: 

For more information about the Austin Teacher Program’s performance, visit TEA’s Accountability System for Educator Preparation (ASEP). 

Supply and Demand of Texas Teachers 

Per 19 TAC §227.1(c)(3A), the EPP shall inform all applicants, in writing, of the effect of supply and demand forces on the educator workforce in this state. A significant number of our Austin Teacher Program graduates find jobs in the DFW metroplex and surrounding areas. This North Central Texas area currently has a predicted growth rate that is double the state average for EC-6 Generalists and Secondary School Teachers (not including Special Education or CTE). Even in other metropolitan areas, such as Austin, San Antonio, and Houston, the ATP has a consistently high rate of employment for interns and standard-certified teachers. For more information about certification needs and other hiring trends in Texas schools, go to TEA’s Teacher Shortage Areas and Educator Reports and Data, as well as the Texas Workforce Commission Career Check website. 

Teacher Reciprocity 

The Austin Teacher Program is approved by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) as an Educator Preparation Program (EPP). Teacher candidates who intend to teach in standard EC-12 settings and who complete all requirements for graduation, pass appropriate TExES exams, meet other requirements for official teacher certification, apply for and are granted State of Texas Teaching Certification may be eligible to teach in other states across the United States. Use this link to learn more about states that have an agreement of reciprocity with Texas teachers. 

In accordance with 19 TAC §228.70(b)(2), COMPLAINTS REGARDING EDUCATOR PREPARATION PROGRAMS. (a) (a) The board shall propose rules necessary to establish a process for a candidate for teacher certification to direct a complaint against an educator preparation program to the agency.  

Austin College’s Student Complaint Process 

Austin College expects all individuals to act with honesty and integrity in personal, social, and academic relationships.  We are committed to a climate of civility and respect, fostering an environment that encourages resolution of concerns in an expeditious, fair, and amicable manner. Information about complaint procedures, including a Formal Student Complaint Form, can be accessed here. 

Program Complaint Process 

Complaints against the Austin Teacher Program to the Texas Education Agency can be initiated through the process outlined here. All complaints filed with the TEA must be in writing. This can be done through the online general complaint form, or can be mailed to: 

Texas Education Agency Complaints Management
1701 N. Congress Ave.
Austin, TX 78701-1494
Tel (512) 463-3544
complaintsmanagement@tea.texas.gov 

Exit Policy for Certification Programs

The Texas Administrative Code requires all educator preparation programs to publish an exit policy and provide it to candidates for review and signature upon program admission. 19 TAC §228.20(h) 

Program Dismissal

The mission of the Austin College Teacher Program (ATP) is to prepare candidates for classroom leadership based on the expectations of the Texas Education Agency and best practice. Once a candidate has accepted contingency admission into the ATP, their retention in the program is based on progress and effectiveness as a learner and a teacher. The faculty considers not only academic abilities and skill performance, but also continued growth in the competencies of collaboration, honesty/integrity, respect, reverence for learning, emotional maturity, reflection, flexibility, responsibility, professionalism, and communication. Retention in the program requires the following: 

1. Academic Standards: The candidate must continue to meet the academic standards of the program in order to continue, both in terms of grades and the originality/integrity of submitted coursework. (2.75 cumulative GPA and 2.75 GPA in major/certification field for BA, and a 3.0 cumulative GPA in all graduate coursework). 
   • Certification Standards: The candidate will adhere to expectations regarding testing timelines and certification protocols. The student will actively prepare for testing through their coursework, preparation materials, and cohort meetings. Students must demonstrate the necessary proficiencies by the set times to receive permission to take their state tests.
   • Professional-Ethical Standards: The candidate must demonstrate professional standards of behavior that align with the ATP’s competencies, and with TEA’s Code of Ethics and Standard Practices for Texas Educators. 

Students assessed as having difficulty with coursework, placement, testing, or competencies will receive feedback concerning their progress from the appropriate faculty and/or program lead. In the vast majority of cases, a candidate who is struggling will be given a plan for improvement with a timeline and various supports. Supports could include, but are not limited to: extra observations, check-in meetings, additional reflection, additional materials, and mandatory timelines. Candidates who continually fail to meet the requirements listed above may be dismissed from the program at the discretion of the review committee.  

If a student withdraws from the ATP of their own accord, based on their own needs, they will be deemed leaving in “Good Standing.” If a student is withdrawn from our program for failure to meet academic requirements (low GPA) or certification requirements (failure to take/pass tests in a timely fashion), they will be deemed leaving in “Good Standing.” If a student is exited from the program for violations to the Code of Ethics, or due to a termination of their teaching position, they will be deemed as leaving “Not in Good Standing.” Candidates dismissed from Austin College will be automatically dismissed from the ATP. Any candidate leaving the ATP in “Good Standing” can reapply for program admission, so long as they are within their two-year window and meet any necessary requirements.

NOTE: If a candidate wishes to transfer to another EPP, their withdrawal status must be reported to that EPP.