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:
Elementary/Middle School
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Junior High/High School
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Supplemental Certificates
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Core Subjects EC-6
Core Subjects 4-8
English Language Arts and Reading 4-8
Mathematics 4-8
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English Language Arts and Reading 7-12
Mathematics 7-12
Science 7-12
Life Science 7-12
Physical Science 6-12
Social Studies 7-12
History 7-12
JROTC 6-12 (requires JROTC certification from a branch of the U.S. military) |
Bilingual Education
English as a Second Language
Special Education |
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:
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.”