The TPCP is a state-approved and accredited educator preparation program that has enabled individuals to achieve their dreams of becoming teachers since 1991. Combining face-to-face and online training, candidates receive the knowledge and build the skills to be effective teachers of successful students.

The following certificates are offered:

Program Overview

The TPCP is a 17-month program beginning each January. Training is held one Saturday each month, January through May, with a three-week block of weekday training in the summer. When the new school year begins in August, training reverts to the one Saturday per month schedule. Each candidate must complete a practicum -- either a 14-week unpaid clinical teaching assignment or a full-year paid internship.

Candidates who choose the internship are hired by a school with the same pay, benefits, duties, and responsibilities as any other first-year teacher.

Application Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education
• Grade point average of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale
• 2.5 grade point average in 24 or 36 semester hours of content-area courses, depending on certification area (see brochure) or 2.5 GPA in 12 hours of content-area courses (15 hours for math and/or science certificates) plus passing score on the appropriate TExES Exam (PACT option)
• Applicants successfully completing the application process, including criminal history check, documentation verification, and interview, will be offered admission to the TPCP
• Graduates of universities outside of the United States:
  • Transcripts must be translated and evaluated by a TEA-approved credential evaluation service. A "course-by-course evaluation with GPA" is the most helpful report.
  • If the university's primary language of instruction is not English, you must receive the following scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language - Internet Based Test(TOEFL-iBT) before your application can be processed:
    • 24 on the speaking section,
    • 22 on the listening section,
    • 22 on the reading section, and
    • 21 on the writing section.

Cost

All fees are non-refundable

• Application fee: $80
• Preservice training fee: $900 (may be paid in three installments)
• Practicum fee (Internship OR clinical teaching)
  • Internship: $4,100 (payments begin when a candidate starts the full-time teaching assignment
  • Clinical teaching: $2,100
• State testing, certification fees, and other associated costs (paid directly to the respective entities and subject to change without notice):
  • TExES certification exams: $116 per test
  • Fingerprinting and criminal history check: $42
  • Intern/Probationary certificate application: $78
  • Standard certificate application: $78
• Other possible costs to candidates:
  • Practicum extension: $1,700
  • Out-of-region fee: up to $750

Timeline

• Application deadline: November
• Orientation: January
• Field experience (classroom observations): January- May
• Preservice training (monthly Saturday sessions): January - May
• Summer training (3 weeks - weekdays): June and July
• Begin practicum (internship or clinical teaching): August
• Ongoing training (monthly Saturday sessions and online coursework): August- May
• Mentor provided by the school district for the school year
• On-site assistance by mentors and ESC staff
• Recommendation for full certification: June if all program requirements are completed successfully

Please Note

• While there are many online components, the TPCP is a face-to-face program. All training sessions are held at Region 6 in Huntsville.
• Each TPCP candidate completes a practicum, either an internship or a clinical teaching placement:
  • During an internship, the candidate is employed by a Texas public school, approved private school, or approved charter school as the teacher of record with full pay, benefits, etc., according to the policy of the specific school.
  • During clinical teaching, the candidate completes an unpaid, 14-week practicum. A clinical teacher is not the teacher of record and, typically, is not a school employee. As allowed by TAC §228.35(k)(1), a candidate employed as a certified educational aide may satisfy clinical teaching assignment requirements through instructional duties.”