Admission to the School of Education and Human Development teacher certification program is admission to a professional program and must be applied for apart from admission to the university.
To Apply to UHV, click here.
Teacher Certification
Admission to teacher education applies to all teacher education students, both elementary and secondary. Prospective students are encouraged to contact the Teachers Education Records Office in the School of Education and Human Development before making plans to enter any program that leads to teacher certification.
Application for admission to teacher education is made through the Teacher Education Records Office during the semester prior to enrollment in the first professional education course.
Denial of a request for admission means that the student does not show sufficient promise of success as a teacher to justify admission to the teacher education program at this institution. Upon the applicant's request, a student who has been denied admission to the program will be permitted to appeal. Information for appeal procedures may be obtained in the Teacher Education Records Office.
Testing Requirements
All persons admitted to the teacher certification program must achieve a satisfactory level of performance on a competency examination of basic skills. The basic skills areas have been identified as mathematics, reading, writing-composition and critical thinking.
The Texas Academic Skills Program (TASP) test, now called the Texas Higher Education Assessment (THEA), will serve as one criterion for admission to the teacher education program. For information concerning this test, contact the Teacher Education Records Office.
Requirements for Admission and Retention to a Teacher Certification Program
There are specific requirements for admission into the teacher certification program at UH-Victoria. The criteria for admission are the following:
- Completion of 54 semester hours prior to enrollment to Professional Education Courses.
- Should be TSI complete or exempt.
- GPA of 2.5 in 9 semester hours of lower division English; 6 semester hours must be in composition.
- GPA of 2.5 in courses that apply to degree.
- GPA of 2.5 in all lower division courses that apply to teacher certification.
- Pass a background check.
- Evidence of characteristics, behaviors and attitudes appropriate to the teaching profession.
- Lower division courses must be completed before admission to Teacher Education.
(Post baccalaureates students see "POSTBACCALAUREATES" section for certification admission requirements.)
NOTE: All potential certificate applicants with criminal felony or misdemeanor convictions should contact the Certification Officer immediately to seek clarification of their certification status.
Applying for Teacher Certification
Application for graduation and application for certification are different processes. They must be applied for separately.
Once all requirements are met, the student will apply directly to the State Board for Educator Certification. Instructions and the application are on the site.
A fee, payable to the State Board of Educator Certification, is required for each application.
After the student applies and pays the fee, the University will then recommend the student to the state for the appropriate certification.
If an out-of-state or out-of-country teaching certificate is held, one should call the State Board for Educator Certification support center for information at 1-888-863-5880 or apply to the State Board for Educator Certification at the following address:
State Board for Educator Certification
Capitol Station
P O Box 12728
Austin TX 78711-2728
State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC)
Applying for an Internship
Post baccalaureate education students on certification plans and those seeking graduate certification through the VOICE program who secure teaching positions may do internships instead of student teaching. The positions must be at accredited schools in the area and at the level in which the students are seeking certification. Students must qualify for their respective programs before entering into an internship.
To serve an internship, the student must
- be admitted to the post baccalaureate certification or VOICE program
- complete and submit the necessary paper work,
- contact one of the Directors of Field Experience, Dr. Marie Plemons or Dr. Amy Barnhill
- and enroll in the appropriate courses.
An Internship provides high-quality professional development that is sustained, intensive, and classroom-focused in order to have a positive and lasting impact on classroom instruction before and while teaching. It also allows the candidate to function as a teacher of record for a specified period of time while providing supervision that consists of structured guidance and regular ongoing support so that the candidate can demonstrate satisfactory progress toward full certification as prescribed by the State.
Applying to VOICE
(Victoria Online Initial Certification for Educators)
Applying to Student Teaching
