Teaching Certification at St. Mary’s
For St. Mary’s students aspiring to become teachers, there are a range of options to receive the training and certification they need. Whatever level or subject our students want to teach, there’s a program available to make it a reality.
The St. Mary’s University Educator Preparation Program is committed to maintaining a high-quality, field-based program which adheres to specific laws and rules, generally related to state and federal requirements, set forth by the Texas Education Agency.
Educator Preparation Program (EPP) Complaint Policy Guidelines
Procedure guidelines allows an applicant, candidate, employee or former employee of the Teacher Education Program, a cooperating teacher, mentor, or an administrator in a school district, charter school or private school to submit a complaint about the Teacher Education Program for investigation and resolution in a timely and effective manner.
EPP Performance and Program Accountability
In accordance with Texas Education Code (TEC) § 21.0452 (Consumer Information about Educator Preparation Program), below are the certification exam pass rates for St. Mary’s University teacher candidates in the past five years:
| 2021-2022 | 100% |
| 2020-2021 | 92% |
| 2019-2020 | 100% |
| 2018-2019 | 95% |
| 2017-2018 | 97% |
Source: ASEP Reports
For more information about educator preparation programs in Texas please visit the Texas Education Agency site for Consumer Information about Educator Preparation Programs.
Supply and Demand of Texas Teachers
Per TAC §227.1 (c)(3)(A) the Texas Education Agency requires Educator Preparation Programs to notify their candidates that teaching positions are more difficult to secure in districts along the I-35 corridor in Texas due to the number of teacher preparation programs providing candidates within those educational markets. OLLU lies within the I-35 corridor but has experienced a consistently high rate of employment for certified candidates.
Criminal History Acknowledgement
Pursuant to the TEC, §22.0835, candidates must undergo a criminal history background check prior to clinical teaching. Pursuant to the Texas Education Code (TEC), §22.083, 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.
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.
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, train, or education is directly related to the certificate being sought.
Contact the Education Department for additional information.
Educator Education Program (EPP) Calendar
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Aug. 25, 2022, and Aug. 29, 2022 | Informational Meetings on Clinical Teaching |
| Sept. 30, 2022 | Clinical-Teaching Applications & Recommendations Due by Noon |
| Oct. 10-21, 2022 | Informational sessions on EPP Applications |
| Oct. 21, 2022 | EPP Application Deadline |
| Oct. 25, 2022 | Faculty Committee on Teacher Education (FCTE) Meeting |
| Jan. 30, 2023, and Feb. 23, 2023 | Informational Meetings on Clinical Teaching |
| March 13-24, 2023 | Informational sessions on EPP Applications |
| March 23, 2023 | Clinical-Teaching Applications & Recommendations Due by Noon |
| March 24, 2023 | EPP Application Deadline |
| March 30, 2023 | Faculty Committee on Teacher Education (FCTE) Meeting |
Educator Preparation Program Policies
Undergraduate Programs with Teacher Certifications
As a state-approved Educator Preparation Program (EPP), St. Mary’s University offers undergraduate degrees in a variety of disciplines — from art and history to political science and chemistry — with the option to add on a teacher certification. You can choose from the following teacher certificate options.
| Major | Certificate |
|---|---|
| Art Education | Art (EC-12) |
| Biology | Life Science (7-12) or Science (4-8) |
| Chemistry | Chemistry (7-12) or Physical Science (6-12) |
| Communication Studies | Speech (7-12) |
| Computer Science | Computer Science (7-12) |
| Elementary Education | Core Subjects (EC-6) |
| English Language Arts and Reading | English Language Arts and Reading (4-8 or 7-12) |
| Environmental Science | Science (4-8) |
| Exercise and Sport Science | Physical Education (EC-12) |
| History | History (7-12) |
| Mathematics | Mathematics (4-8 or 7-12) |
| Music – Instrumental or Vocal | Music (EC-12) |
| Political Science | Social Studies (4-8 or 7-12) |
| Spanish | Spanish (EC-12) |
- Meet with Education Faculty Mentor/Advisor to go over the program corresponding to the teacher certification. Create a student folder with the Education Department.
- Following the degree plan associated with your teacher certification area, start taking courses (start with the university core courses).
- Take and meet the departmental standards of the Texas Higher Education Assessment (THEA) before taking Education courses (see Teacher Certification section on GPS). Any teacher certification courses taken prior to meeting this requirement will be considered as electives.
- Upon completion of 60 hours of coursework, meeting the THEA requirement, and maintaining a GPA of 2.6, apply to be in the Educator Preparation Program (EPP).
- Do your clinical teaching (the last semester of your senior year).
- Take and pass the teacher certification exams:
- Elementary Education majors – Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities (PPR) EC-12, Core Subjects EC-12, and the Science of Teaching Reading (STR)
- Other majors – Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities (PPR) EC-12 and content area exam
For more information, please refer to the Educator Preparation Program Handbook (PDF).
Resources
Requirements for Teacher Education Students Seeking Teacher Certification
Clinical (Student) Teaching
Clinical teaching, formerly known as “student teaching,” is the capstone experience of the Educator Preparation Program. It is a semester-long opportunity to practice teaching skills under the supervision of a supervising (cooperating) teacher and a University supervisor.
Teacher candidates are placed in a classroom for a minimum of 14 weeks, five days a week, where they gradually assume the duties and responsibilities of a classroom teacher. The clinical teaching semester is a unique opportunity to develop and strengthen teaching skills and dispositions and become familiar with the professional responsibilities of the teacher.
Education Programs at St. Mary’s
The St. Mary’s University Department of Education offers minors, bachelor’s degrees and a post-baccalaureate certificate focused on education. Learn more about each option below.
Minor in Education Studies
This Minor in Education Studies will allow students to gain knowledge and field-based experience in teaching at the elementary, middle or high school level without having to do student teaching and passing the state teacher certification exams, two of the requirements to acquire a Texas teaching certificate.
This minor will qualify students to teach in private schools, including parochial schools.
Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education
This Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education is designed for those wishing to teach elementary school. Clinical teaching is required.
Post-Baccalaureate Certificate for Teaching in Catholic Schools
This certificate will enable students to gain knowledge and virtual experience in teaching at the elementary, middle or high school level without having to do student-teaching, one of the requirements to acquire a Texas teaching certificate for public schools.
This certificate will qualify students to teach in primary through secondary Catholic schools, but not public schools.