Teacher Certification

Teacher Certification

For Undergraduate & Post-Baccalaureate Students (seeking InitialCertification)

SO YOU WANT TO BE A TEACHER

The credential required to teach any grade from pre-kindergarten through grade 12 in a Texas public school is a teaching certificate. The certificate identifies both the grade range and at the middle and high school levels the subject/content area. The three grade ranges are:

  • Early Childhood through 6th grade (EC - 6)
  • Grades 4 - 8
  • Grades 8 - 12

The particular subject/content areas for which SMU offers teacher certification preparation are:

  • All-level (EC - 12):
    • Art
    • Music
    • Theatre
    • French
    • Spanish

  • EC - 6

    • Generalist
       

  • Grades 4 - 8:

    • English Language Arts and Reading

    • English Language Arts and Reading / Social Studies*

    • Generalist

    • Mathematics

    • Mathematics/Science*

    • Science

    • Social Studies

     

  • Grades 8 - 12

    • Business (Grades 6-12)

    • Chemistry

    • Computer Science

    • Dance

    • English Language Arts and Reading

    • History

    • Journalism

    • Life Sciences

    • Mathematics

    • Physics/Mathematics*

    • Physical Sciences

    • Science

          Undergraduate students seeking certification in either middle (grades 4 - 8) or high school (grades 8 - 12) must major in the subject in which they are seeking certification.

          *If there are two subjects listed, then one must be a major.

          Contact the secondary education adviser for additional information.

            

  • Additional subject areas for post baccalaureate students.

    • American Sign Language (EC-12)

    • Health (EC-12)

    • Health Science Technology Education (8-12)

    • Physical Education (EC-12)

    • Latin (6-12)

    • Speech (8-12)

    • Technology Applications (EC-12)

    • Technology Education (6-12)

          Post baccalaureate students seeking certification in either middle (grades 4 - 8 or high school (grades 8 - 12) must have at least 24 credit hours in the subject area they want to teach. At least half of those 24 hours must be in upper division courses. If a potential post baccalaureate student does not meet these qualifications, s/he should meet with the secondary education adviser regarding the Pre-Admission Content Test (PACT)

What You Need to do at SMU to Pursue Teacher Certification

As early as possible in your college career and as soon as you know that you might like to be a teacher, schedule an appointment with one of the Department of Teaching and Learning Advisers by calling 214-768-2346. In the state of Texas, students cannot major in education. They can, however, earn a minor in education at SMU by completing the 24 credit hours of education course work for teacher certification. As a result, students have the advantage of pursuing a program of work which includes an academic major as well as preparing to teach. This allows students to have two career options.

See Entrance Requirements for details about admission into the Teacher Education program.

TEXAS EDUCATION AGENCY'S ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR CERTIFICATION

  • Student teaching for either elementary or secondary certification:
    • Six hours credit for either fall or spring term
    • Location provided by SMU Teacher Education program
  • Internship for either elementary or secondary certification for post baccalaureates only:
    • Six hours credit for two terms
    • Location arranged by student
    • First year teacher's salary
  • TExES exams for EC - 6:
    • EC - 12 Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities
    • EC - 6 Generalist
  • TExES exams for grades 4 - 8 and 8 - 12:
    •  Content area exam in teaching field
    • EC - 12 Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities
  • Fingerprints
  • Criminal background check
  • Application for a standard teaching certificate