Program Timeline | Coursework & Advising | Admission to ATP | Classroom Experience | Certification Preparation & Exams | EPP Performance Data | Employment Prospects | Complaints | Exit & Retention Policy
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.
EDUC 115 | EDUC 225 | EDUC 351 | EDUC 475 | JanTerm CSOC |
9 hours tutoring/ mentoring a student in a local school | 9 hours of classroom observation in a local school | 35 hours in a local classroom observing and teaching | 45 hours in a local classroom planning lessons and teaching | 70+ hours working in a school as planned by the candidate |
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)).