Successful completion of Internship is required of students who seek certification.
It is taken in the final year. Students who have received a "D" or "F" in required
Education or academic emphasis (teaching field) courses may not take Internship until
the course has been repeated and a grade of "C" or higher obtained. Applications
and supporting documents for Internship must be filed with the Certification Officer
no later than one year prior to the desired assignment. Before an Internship assignment
will be made, a student must meet the following requirements:
- Submit a Clinical Teaching Application with essay
- Submit transcripts from all colleges and universities attended.
- Achieve an overall grade point average of 2.75 (on a 4.0 scale) and a 2.75 in teaching
field and pedagogical courses; no incomplete allowed.
- Complete three-fourths of the courses in the academic emphasis or certification field(s)
and 12 hours in english, math, laboratory science, and/or history unless certifying
in Math or Science which requires 15.
- Demonstrated proficiency in each of the basic skills of reading, writing, math, critical
thinking and oral communication in English. A student can demonstrate proficiency
of basic skills by submitting current (within the last five years) passing scores
on approved standardized tests. Approved standardized tests and minimum passing scores
are:
- Texas Success Initiative Assessment (TSI): minimum scores in Math of 356, in Reading
of 355, in Writing of 350, and in Essay of 5
- SAT (prior to March 2016): minimum scores in Composite (Critical Reading & Math),
in Math of 500, in English/Reading of 500
- SAT (after March 2016): minimum scores in Math of 530, in English/Reading & Writing
of 480.
- ACT: minimum scores in Composite of 23, Math of 19, English/Reading of 19
- Pass the appropriate TExES content test for the certification area sought prior to
the start of Clinical Teaching.
- Submit two academic recommendations or letters of reference.
- Receive favorable recommendations from all members of the Education faculty.*
An Internship is for a minimum of one full school year for the classroom teacher assignment.
Students spend time teaching a class, Monday-Friday, under an Internship Certification
issued by TEA.
*If any faculty member judges a student to exhibit behavioral characteristics or communication
skills that indicate potential problems in school settings, they may refer the student
to the Teacher Education Review Committee (TERC) for review and evaluation. The TERC
may recommend specific courses of action to the student and/or the faculty member.
International Student Applicants:
Texas Education Agency states "any applicant for Texas educator certificate must be
able to communicate, listen, read, write, and comprehend the English Language sufficiently
to use it easily and readily in daily communication and teaching." (19 TAC 230.11(b))
Based on this requirement, a foreign credential evaluator that has been recognized
by the State of Texas must evaluate all foreign transcripts. In addition, all student
applicants whose native language is not English must submit a score report from the
TOEFL. Approved scores as of October 22, 2017 are a minimum of 24 in Speaking, a
minimum of 22 in Listening, a minimum of 22 in Reading, and a minimum of 21 in Writing.
Scores must be within two years from the date of testing.