Axe ’Em, Jacks!
A certificate in your specific field of education is a stamp of approval that you’ve met certain standards of training, experience and professional conduct. To teach in a public school in the state of Texas, you’ll need a teaching certificate. SFA supports a variety of certification programs for students in the Department of Education Studies.
Important: If you are seeking a teacher certification, you will also need to meet certain academic/degree requirements. Be sure to discuss your degree plan with your advisor early in your time at SFA, especially if you’re a transfer candidate or if you’re interested in attending summer school.
Education Studies
EC-6
- Core Subjects EC-6 #391
- Science of Teaching Reading #293
- edTPA
4-8 Middle Level Grades
- Science of Teaching Reading #293 *for Core Subjects and English Language Arts candidates only
- One of the following content area exams
- Core Subjects 4-8 #211
- English Language Arts and Reading 4-8 #217
- Mathematics 4-8 #115
- Social Studies 4-8 #118
- Science 4-8 #116
- edTPA
Secondary education
The Secondary Education program offers secondary or EC-12 certification through coursework or a minor in secondary education. Students may seek certification through coursework if their major does not accept the minor in secondary education. To receive certification in a secondary education area, you must complete the relevant exam below.
Secondary Certification Areas
- One of the following content area exams:
- English Language Arts & Reading 7-12 #231
- Mathematics 7-12 #235
- Social Studies 7-12 #232
- History 7-12 #233
- Physical Science 7-12 #237
- Life Science 7-12 #238
- Chemistry 7-12 #240
- Agriculture Food and Natural Resources 6-12 #272
- Dance 6-12 #279
- Speech 7-12 #129
- edTPA
All-Level Certification Areas
- One of the following content area exams:
- Art EC-12 #178
- Health EC-12 #157
- Music EC-12 #177
- Physical Education EC-12 #158
- Theatre EC-12 #180
- edTPA
Special education
- Special Education EC-12 #161
- Candidates are encouraged to complete a content area exam
- edTPA
What are the certification application requirements?
To be recommended for a certificate, you’ll need to verify the following:
- All coursework completed
- All grades posted
- Degree conferred on final transcript – please note, this may take up to three weeks from your graduation
- Field experience completed (student teaching or internship on probationary certificate for students with bachelors' degrees)
- Certification tests completed for specific certificate
- Payment to the Texas Education Agency for the certificate and fingerprint check
- Passing score on the TExES testing. Do not apply for your certificate until you have passed your TExES testing!
- An online application submitted to the Texas Education Agency
What is the application deadline?
There are three different dates to apply for certificates, depending on your expected graduation:
- December graduates may begin applying November 1st
- May graduates may begin applying April 1st
- August graduates may begin applying July 1st
How can I apply for a Probationary Certificate?
The state of Texas offers a probationary certificate option to students who have secured an internship mandated by program requirements but have not yet passed all exams for a standard teaching certificate. Good for one year, this temporary license assures any school district that the intern is on track to finish all education and testing requirements for a standard certificate.
Please contact the Certification Officer for documentation required prior to recommendation at edcert@sfasu.edu.