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FAQ
How long will it take for me to get certified?
Our program is self-paced. Your Certification Plan will list all of the requirements for you to get certified. Each plan is individualized. Depending on the number of courses listed on your Plan, how many courses you take each semester, completion of certification requirements could take between one and three years to complete. Certification Plans are valid for three years; after three years, you will need to have your Plan updated.
When can I begin your program?
Once you have been admitted to the University through the Graduate College and receive your Certification Plan, you can register for the courses listed on your Plan during the Advanced and Late Registration periods as designated by the Registrar’s Office. So, you can start at the beginning of any semester – Fall, Spring, Summer I or Summer II.
How much will it cost?
See the Tuition and Fees Chart for specific costs. Remember that each Certification Plan is individualized, so costs vary from student to student. Teacher Certification Students may qualify for Financial Aid. For more information regarding Financial Aid, click here.
What is the right certification for me?
Advisors can assist you with selection of a certification area by providing you with information; however, we cannot tell you what area is right for you or what area will be fastest. Remember that you are selecting a career path. As such, it is important that you are committed to the education profession and have a desire to teach the grade levels and subjects for which you will be certified.
I received my plan, but I don’t understand it. What should I do?
Call the College of Education Academic Advising Center at (512) 245-3050 or 1-877-838-2283 to set up an appointment with an advisor. Phone appointments are available.
What is "diagnostic" testing?
If your Certification Plan is written for a Secondary or All-level Teaching Field (with the exception of Special Education) and you have 24+ hours in the content area, you will be asked to take the appropriate state examination (ExCET/TExES) in the area as a "diagnostic" measure. If you pass the exam on the first attempt, you will not be required to complete additional courses in the content area. You would then be responsible for completing required pedagogy courses (approximately 15-18 semester credit hours), completion of field work and Student Teaching, and passing the Secondary or All-level Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilties TExES (#130 or #160). If you fail an exam as a "diagnostic", your Certification Plan will be amended so that it lists required content area coursework for remediation. You will not be allowed to attempt the test again until you complete the courses on your plan, pass the content area Practice ExCET/TExES, and are in your Student Teaching semester.
Do I have to student teach?
Yes, unless you are employed by a Texas public school district on an Emergency Permit and teach for two years in the level/area you are seeking certification in, or you have been a certified education aide in a Texas public school and participate in the Education Aide Exemption Program. Please contact Financial Aid for additional information on the exemption program.
Do I have to live outside a 150 mile radius of Texas State to take Secondary Online courses?
Online courses are designed to meet the needs of individuals who can not attend classes at Texas State. For instance, active military persons who are stationed outside of Texas or the USA can take advantage of this delivery system. The Curriculum and Instruction Department would like to reserve space in Online courses to meet such needs. If you do not live outside a 150 mile radius of Texas State and wish to take Online courses, you may need to contact the Curriculum and Instruction Department at 512-245-3701 to obtain registration approval.
Can I take courses in Round Rock?
Many teacher certification courses are offered at the Round Rock Higher Education Center (RRHEC), Post-baccalaureates are eligible to register for courses at the RRHEC. The College of Education does have an Academic Advisor stationed at the RRHEC to meet advising needs there. To schedule an appointment with our advisor, please call 512-716-4001.
How can I request a change to my Certification Plan?
A Certification Plan Revision form must be submitted to the Academic Advising Center. You may schedule an appointment to meet with an advisor if you wish to discuss the revision beforehand.
How do I challenge a final grade in a course?
Grades are determined by the teacher of record of the course. If you receive a grade which you believe to be incorrect, your first obligation is to meet with your professor to discuss the grade. If an error was made in computing the grade, the professor will submit a request to change the grade. If no error was made but you still are not satisfied, you may appeal to the chair of the department in which the course was taught. In those instances when the department chair is not able to resolve the grade assignment to your satisfaction, you may appeal to the Dean of the College of Education. In this case, you must begin this final appeal process by presenting a letter signed by you which outlines your concern and the related facts of the case.
Are there any College of Education scholarships?
Yes. Please check our website for additional information.
Where can I find information about teaching careers and job placement?
The Office of Career Services offers a wide variety of services to Texas State students. Career Planning DISCOVER, Career Counseling, Job Search Preparation and Placement Services are available to all Texas State students. They also host a Teacher Job Fair, in conjunction with the College of Education, every fall and spring semester. Please visit their webpage for additional information.
Our program is self-paced. Your Certification Plan will list all of the requirements for you to get certified. Each plan is individualized. Depending on the number of courses listed on your Plan, how many courses you take each semester, completion of certification requirements could take between one and three years to complete. Certification Plans are valid for three years; after three years, you will need to have your Plan updated.
When can I begin your program?
Once you have been admitted to the University through the Graduate College and receive your Certification Plan, you can register for the courses listed on your Plan during the Advanced and Late Registration periods as designated by the Registrar’s Office. So, you can start at the beginning of any semester – Fall, Spring, Summer I or Summer II.
How much will it cost?
See the Tuition and Fees Chart for specific costs. Remember that each Certification Plan is individualized, so costs vary from student to student. Teacher Certification Students may qualify for Financial Aid. For more information regarding Financial Aid, click here.
What is the right certification for me?
Advisors can assist you with selection of a certification area by providing you with information; however, we cannot tell you what area is right for you or what area will be fastest. Remember that you are selecting a career path. As such, it is important that you are committed to the education profession and have a desire to teach the grade levels and subjects for which you will be certified.
I received my plan, but I don’t understand it. What should I do?
Call the College of Education Academic Advising Center at (512) 245-3050 or 1-877-838-2283 to set up an appointment with an advisor. Phone appointments are available.
What is "diagnostic" testing?
If your Certification Plan is written for a Secondary or All-level Teaching Field (with the exception of Special Education) and you have 24+ hours in the content area, you will be asked to take the appropriate state examination (ExCET/TExES) in the area as a "diagnostic" measure. If you pass the exam on the first attempt, you will not be required to complete additional courses in the content area. You would then be responsible for completing required pedagogy courses (approximately 15-18 semester credit hours), completion of field work and Student Teaching, and passing the Secondary or All-level Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilties TExES (#130 or #160). If you fail an exam as a "diagnostic", your Certification Plan will be amended so that it lists required content area coursework for remediation. You will not be allowed to attempt the test again until you complete the courses on your plan, pass the content area Practice ExCET/TExES, and are in your Student Teaching semester.
Do I have to student teach?
Yes, unless you are employed by a Texas public school district on an Emergency Permit and teach for two years in the level/area you are seeking certification in, or you have been a certified education aide in a Texas public school and participate in the Education Aide Exemption Program. Please contact Financial Aid for additional information on the exemption program.
Do I have to live outside a 150 mile radius of Texas State to take Secondary Online courses?
Online courses are designed to meet the needs of individuals who can not attend classes at Texas State. For instance, active military persons who are stationed outside of Texas or the USA can take advantage of this delivery system. The Curriculum and Instruction Department would like to reserve space in Online courses to meet such needs. If you do not live outside a 150 mile radius of Texas State and wish to take Online courses, you may need to contact the Curriculum and Instruction Department at 512-245-3701 to obtain registration approval.
Can I take courses in Round Rock?
Many teacher certification courses are offered at the Round Rock Higher Education Center (RRHEC), Post-baccalaureates are eligible to register for courses at the RRHEC. The College of Education does have an Academic Advisor stationed at the RRHEC to meet advising needs there. To schedule an appointment with our advisor, please call 512-716-4001.
How can I request a change to my Certification Plan?
A Certification Plan Revision form must be submitted to the Academic Advising Center. You may schedule an appointment to meet with an advisor if you wish to discuss the revision beforehand.
How do I challenge a final grade in a course?
Grades are determined by the teacher of record of the course. If you receive a grade which you believe to be incorrect, your first obligation is to meet with your professor to discuss the grade. If an error was made in computing the grade, the professor will submit a request to change the grade. If no error was made but you still are not satisfied, you may appeal to the chair of the department in which the course was taught. In those instances when the department chair is not able to resolve the grade assignment to your satisfaction, you may appeal to the Dean of the College of Education. In this case, you must begin this final appeal process by presenting a letter signed by you which outlines your concern and the related facts of the case.
Are there any College of Education scholarships?
Yes. Please check our website for additional information.
Where can I find information about teaching careers and job placement?
The Office of Career Services offers a wide variety of services to Texas State students. Career Planning DISCOVER, Career Counseling, Job Search Preparation and Placement Services are available to all Texas State students. They also host a Teacher Job Fair, in conjunction with the College of Education, every fall and spring semester. Please visit their webpage for additional information.