Apply Today

SFA Home / Education / Departments / Educator Certification / Alternative Certification

Alternative Route to Teacher Certification: Master's Plus and Master of Arts in Teaching

Initial Certification with Master’s Degree (ICM) for certification EC-6 or 4-8
Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) for Secondary or All Level Certification
These programs have been designed for individuals that are seeking teacher certification and have a Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university.
Online Teacher Certification at SFASU

Getting Started

  1. Read the steps for program admission.
  2. View available certification areas.
  3. Take and pass the Pre-Admission Content Test (PACT) that matches the content area in which you are seeking certification. Please note that the State Board of Educator Certification (SBEC) has changed the EC-4 Generalist certification to the EC-6 Generalist certification. Therefore, we will not accept the EC-4 Generalist PACT. You will need to email the official score report to the Educator Certification Office at edcertpbic@sfasu.edu
    1. PACT Info & Test Info
    2. Study Info and here
  4. Apply to the Graduate School.
  5. The applicant will receive a degree plan and academic advising from the department. The department will indicate if the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) will be required within the first semester. If required the department will request a combination score of 750 from the verbal and quantitative sections.
    1. GRE Info  - GRE is required for Early Childhood-Sixth Grade and Fourth-Eighth Certification only.
  6. After you complete the education coursework for certification, you will be required to take the Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities (PPR) state exam.
  7. What is field experience? Student Teaching or the One-Year Teaching Internship on a Probationary Certificate
    1. Field Experience Info
    2. Student Teaching Info
    3. One-Year Teaching Internship Info
  8. Once you complete the Texas Standard Teaching Certificate, you will have the option to continue coursework to complete a Master’s Degree.
  9. Department Contact Information
    1. Elementary Education: Dr. Vikki Boatman at vboatman@sfasu.edu
    2. Secondary Education: Dr. Heather Olson Beal at olsonbehk@sfasu.edu
    3. Special Education: Dr. Paige Mask at maskp@sfasu.edu
    4. Educator Certification: Cindy Tillery at cindytillery@sfasu.edu
  10. How do I get my Texas Standard Teaching Certificate?
    A Texas Standard Teaching Certificate requires individuals to complete the required coursework, required state exams, and a field experience. After you successfully complete all three areas, you may apply online to the State Board of Educator Certification for your Texas Standard Certificate.
    1. See instruction


For more information:
Stephen F. Austin State University
Educator Certification Office
PO Box 6103-SFA Station
Nacogdoches, TX 75962
edcertpbic@sfasu.edu
Phone:  936-468-1740
Fax:  936-468-1577

Top of page

Become a Student Academics & Research Students Alumni & Friends Faculty & Staff Arts & Athletics A-Z List