Axe ’Em, Jacks!
Your path to certification
These SFA Educator Preparation Program resources provide the information you need to make a successful transition from student to certified educator.
Interested in applying?
View the EPP Admission page for details on admission criteria and procedures. Deadlines to apply for the Educator Preparation Program via mySFA:
- Fall Educator Preparation Program admission opens March 2 and closes the Wednesday prior to the fall semester.
- Spring Educator Preparation Program admission opens Oct. 5 and closes the Wednesday prior to spring semester
Certification areas
Elementary certifications
- Core Subjects with Science of Teaching Reading (Grades EC-6)
Middle level grades certifications
- Core Subjects with Science of Teaching Reading (Grades 4-8)
- English Language Arts and Reading with Science of Teaching Reading (Grades 4-8)
- Mathematics (Grades 4-8)
- Science (Grades 4-8)
- Social Studies (Grades 4-8)
Secondary certifications
- Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (Grades 6-12)
- Chemistry (Grades 7-12)
- Dance (Grades 6-12)
- English Language Arts and Reading (Grades 7-12)
- Family and Consumer Sciences (Grades 6-12)
- History (Grades 7-12)
- Life Science (Grades 7-12)
- Mathematics (Grades 7-12)
- Physical Science (Grades 6-12)
- Social Studies (Grades 7-12)
- Speech (Grades 7-12)
All-level certifications
- Art (Grades EC-12)
- Deaf and Hard of Hearing (Grades EC-12)
- Languages Other Than English - French (Grades EC-12)
- Languages Other Than English - Spanish (Grades EC-12)
- Music (Grades EC-12)
- Physical Education (Grades EC-12)
- Special Education (Grades EC-12)
- Theatre (Grades EC-12)
Advanced certification program certifications
Each of the secondary and all-level certification areas listed above are available through the alternative certification.
Note: SFA is no longer offering alternative certification for elementary, middle level grades or special education (grades EC-12) certification areas.
Other than classroom teacher certifications
These are also known as advanced or professional certifications.
- Educational Diagnostician (Grades EC-12)
- Principal as Instructional Leader (Grades EC-12)
- Reading Specialist (Grades EC-12)
- Superintendent (Grades EC-12)
Supplemental certifications
- Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments (Grades EC-12)
Notification to All EPP Applicants and Enrollees
TAC 227.1(b)
Educator Preparation Programs (EPPs) shall inform all applications that:
(1) Pursuant to the Texas Education Code (TEC), §22.083, candidates must undergo a criminal history background check prior to employment as an educator; and
(2) Pursuant to the TEC, §22.0835, candidates must undergo a criminal history background check prior to clinical teaching.
TAC 227.1(d)
EPPs shall notify, in writing by mail, personal delivery, facsimile, email, or an electronic notification, each applicant to and enrollee in the EPP of the following regardless of whether the applicant or enrollee has been convicted of an offense:
(1) the potential ineligibility of an individual who has been convicted of an offense for issuance of a certificate on completion of the EPP;
(2) the current State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) rules prescribed in §249.16 of this title (relating to Eligibility of Persons with Criminal History for a Certificate under Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 53, and Texas Education Code, Chapter 21); and
(3) the right to request a criminal history evaluation letter as provided in Chapter 227, Subchapter B, of this title (relating to Preliminary Evaluation of Certification Eligibility).
Additional information regarding background checks, fingerprinting and an optional preliminary criminal history evaluation can be found on the EPP Admission page.
Teacher preparation: Technology integration
SFA offers the following activities to prepare teachers to
- integrate technology effectively into curricula and instruction, including activities consistent with the principles of universal design for learning.
- use technology effectively to collect, manage and analyze data to improve teaching and learning for the purpose of increasing student academic achievement.
For more information, email edcert@sfasu.edu.
Clinical teaching
As a clinical teacher, you have the opportunity to practice the theories and teaching methods from your college classes in the classrooms of our partner school districts. As you begin your clinical teaching semester, you are encouraged to seek out every opportunity to strengthen the skills you have developed throughout your program and embrace the mentorship of those experienced educators on your campus.
Visit the clinical teaching webpage to learn more information and explore valuable resources.
Yearlong residency at SFA
Pre-service teacher candidates can begin clinical teaching early and gain a full year of hands-on classroom experience through SFA’s Yearlong Residency Program. The Yearlong Residency Program serves as bridge between theory and practice, enabling pre-service.
Educator Preparation Program completion requirements
To receive a certificate recommendation, you must:
- Complete all program coursework.
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- Pass the certification tests.
- Submit an online application and payment to the Texas Education Agency.
- Complete a fingerprint check.
- For programs requiring a bachelor’s or master’s degree: you also must have your degree conferred by the Office of the Registrar on your final transcript.
- This process may take up eight weeks after graduation.
Certification testing
Texas law requires that every person seeking educator certification perform satisfactorily on comprehensive examinations. The purpose of the examinations is to ensure that each educator has the necessary content and professional knowledge to perform satisfactorily in Texas public schools.
To learn more about requirements and clearance requests, visit the certification testing webpage.
When to apply for certification
You cannot apply until your certification testing is complete. Earliest dates to apply for certificates each semester are:
- December graduates may begin applying Nov. 1
- May graduates may begin applying April 1
- August graduates may begin applying July 1
Additional certification-recommendation information
- TEA will not mail you a hard copy of your certificate. You can view your certificate on the TEA website.
- SFA will recommend you for certification only in the content area for which we prepared you.
- An educator who holds a Standard Texas Teaching Certificate has the option to take any content TExES exam by using the Certification by Exam option. If you are successful on these exams, you are responsible for adding them to your certificate. Note: Additional exams will not be available until TEA has issued your standard certificate. You do not need clearance from SFA to take the additional exam.
- You will be required to renew your certification through TEA every five years.
- TEA will notify you when SFA recommends you.
For employment-seeking purposes prior to recommendation, email edcert@sfasu.edu and request a pending, or statement of eligibility, letter.
- Include your full name (including maiden name) and an SFA ID in your email, and the certification officer will respond with a signed letter on SFA letterhead that you can include in your professional portfolio until your standard certificate is posted.
- To receive the letter, you must be enrolled in/have taken your clinical teaching/internship/practicum coursework, passed your certification exams and applied for certification through TEA.
STEM teacher preparation program
JacksTeach is a replication site of UTeach, a nationally recognized STEM teacher preparation program. It is designed to allow you to obtain a four-year bachelor's degree and be eligible to seek a secondary teaching certification without adding any additional semesters of coursework. Learn more by visiting the JacksTeach website.