Program Exploration

Frequently Asked Questions

 

Choosing to become a teacher is a big decision, so we understand you probably have a couple of questions before you’re ready to jump in. We want you to feel as confident about our program as we do! If you’re currently exploring the Texas Teachers program, read this FAQ to find the answers you’re looking for! We value transparency, so if you have another question not answered on this page, feel free to submit a new question using the form at the bottom of the page. Happy program exploration.

WHY SHOULD I JOIN THE TEXAS TEACHERS PROGRAM?

Texas Teachers is the leading certification program in the state, with more teachers hired each year than most programs combined. Since 2005, more than 60,000 teachers have been hired by our program. Annually, approximately 55%-60% of all new teachers in Texas are hired from alternative certification programs.

HOW CREDIBLE IS THE TEXAS TEACHERS PROGRAM?

Texas Teachers is fully accredited by the Texas Education Agency (TEA). We are listed as A+ Texas Teachers (under Region 4) on the TEA list of accredited programs. We have helped over 60,000+ candidates become teachers over the past 15 years. Our program is state-approved and is the #1 preferred program by districts. After completing our program, you are eligible to teach anywhere in the state of Texas.

HOW LONG IS THE PROGRAM?

While most candidates complete the online training in 1-3 months, the length of the program is up to you! Our online training is self-paced!* Find the balance that works with your schedule!

*Please be advised that while you have the flexibility to complete your training at your own pace, there is a maximum completion duration specified in your enrollment agreement. For further details, please refer to your enrollment agreement.

WHAT TYPE OF TEACHING CERTIFICATION WILL I RECEIVE?

You are issued a TEA Intern Certificate for your Internship Year. Upon successful completion of the program, you are issued the same TEA Standard Certificate that is provided by universities and other certifying entities across the state. The Standard Certificate is the full certification for all teachers in Texas and is renewed every 5 years with the TEA by completing CPE hours.

WILL I GET PAID DURING MY INTERNSHIP YEAR?

Yes! During your Internship Year, you receive full pay and benefits from your school district while employed as the teacher of record.

DOES THE TEXAS TEACHERS CERTIFICATION TRANSFER TO OTHER STATES?

Most states reciprocate Texas teaching certificates, although certification requirements vary from state to state. To determine the reciprocation policies and procedures, please contact the state’s department of education.

DO I NEED CLASSROOM EXPERIENCE TO BECOME TEACHER CERTIFIED?

No, you do not need classroom experience. Our program is designed for all types of candidates, including those who have not yet taught in a classroom. You will complete classroom observations as part of the program before you actually begin teaching. We do also recommend completing some classroom experience (volunteer or tutor) to increase your marketability when applying for teaching positions.

WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO GAIN AN IN-DEPTH UNDERSTANDING OF THE PROGRAM?

Great question! We offer a free monthly Program Overview Webinar which is designed to walk you through the entire program and answer all your questions. Click the button below to register.
Program Overview Webinar

WHAT CERTIFICATION AREAS DO YOU OFFER?

We offer over 50+ different certification areas! To explore the list, visit our Testing page and click on the red button titled, “Certification Areas.”

ARE THERE ANY SUBJECT AREAS THAT WILL INCREASE MY MARKETABILITY AS A TEACHER?

Yes, absolutely! To increase your marketability and give yourself the best chance of getting hired quickly, we recommend pursuing a High-Need Subject Area. We help certify teachers in all areas on the TEA’s 2020-2021 High-Need Area list. To learn more about which subject areas are on this year’s list and the benefits of pursuing a High-Need Subject Area, read our High-Need Areas 101 Guide. It is also increasingly more common that school districts request or require that candidates have an ESL endorsement. An ESL endorsement must be paired with any other certification area and will drastically improve your marketability. Learn more.

WHAT IS A LATE HIRE CANDIDATE?

A Late Hire candidate is any qualified, Texas Teachers candidate who is offered admission and enrolls in the program after a certain date each year (determined by TEA). As a Late Hire Candidate, you are eligible to #GetHired by school districts immediately after passing your Content Exam! Learn more.

HOW DO I FIND MY ENROLLMENT PATH?

Texas Teachers offers five different enrollment paths, each with a unique set of requirements to offer your various options to qualify to be admitted into the Texas Teachers program. To discover your enrollment path, take our interactive Path Finder Quiz below:

[INACTIVE] Path Finder 2.0
Do you have a bachelor's degree? *
Is it from a U.S. university? *
Do you have at least 2-7 years of wage-earning experience in a trade or industry field? *
Did you have a 2.5 GPA or higher? *

WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS TO APPLY?

Most candidates follow the Traditional Path which requires a 2.5+ GPA and a 4-year bachelor’s degree.

MY GPA IS LOWER THAN 2.5; CAN I STILL QUALIFY?

Yes! If your GPA is between 2.3-2.49, you can take a Pre-Admission Content Test (PACT) to qualify. Learn more.

I DON’T HAVE A BACHELOR’S DEGREE; CAN I STILL QUALIFY?

Possibly! If you have 3-5 years of verifiable wage-earning experience, you may qualify! Learn more.

I’M STILL AN UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT; WHEN SHOULD I APPLY?

You should apply when you begin your last semester at university! You can get started in the program as you work on finishing your degree. Continuing the program is contingent upon finishing your degree. Apply now.

DO I HAVE TO BE A U.S. CITIZEN TO ENROLL IN TEXAS TEACHERS?

No, you do not have to be a U.S. citizen to apply to our program, but you may have additional program requirements to be admitted. Please see our resources for non-U.S. candidates for more information.

HOW DO I APPLY TO TEXAS TEACHERS?

You can apply to Texas Teachers online! Submitting an application form is always free, requires zero commitment, and takes less than one minute to complete. Apply for free here.

WHEN CAN I APPLY?

You can apply now! We have rolling admissions throughout the year. As soon as you are offered admission, you may enroll and gain immediate access to your online teacher training. School districts hire teachers year-round, so there are always open positions whenever you become eligible to get hired.

DO I HAVE TO SUBMIT A BACKGROUND CHECK TO APPLY?

No, you are not required to complete a background check for program admission. However, you will eventually be required to complete a fingerprinting background check through the Texas Education Agency before you can begin working for a school. Click here to learn more.

WHAT DOCUMENTS ARE REQUIRED TO APPLY?

There are no documents required to fill out our free application! Once you apply, you will then need to send the required documents for your enrollment path. Most candidates will need to send a copy of official university transcripts.

HOW DO I KNOW IF MY APPLICATION HAS BEEN RECEIVED?

You will receive an email from us confirming that your application has been received.

WHAT SHOULD I DO AFTER I SUBMIT MY APPLICATION?

After submitting your application, your first step is to send us the required documents for your enrollment path. Most candidates will need to send official bachelor’s degree transcripts.

How do I get my transcripts evaluated (course-by-course)?

If you received your degree outside of the U.S., you will need to have your academic record reviewed by an approved service provider, as your degree must be equivalent to a U.S. bachelor’s degree with a minimum GPA of 2.5. This link below allows you to begin the transcript evaluation process through TranSpan, an approved service provider. Please follow the two steps below to complete your application for transcript evaluation. Transcripts elevation is NOT required for those who earned their bachelor’s degree from an accredited U.S. institution.

  1. Apply to Texas Teachers
  2. Submit Transcript Evaluation

Where do I need to send my transcripts?

The fastest and preferred method for Texas Teachers to receive your transcripts is electronically, directly to us from your university in order to be considered official. Please submit your bachelor’s degree first. These transcripts should be sent to transcripts@texasteachers.org

University can send your official transcripts via mail to the address below (we do recommend electronically):

2401 Fountain View Dr., Suite 700
Houston, TX 77057

HOW DO I GET ADMITTED TO THE PROGRAM?

After submitting your application, you will complete an online questionnaire to assess your strengths as a teacher. A Program Advisor may contact you via phone if additional information is needed. After your official transcripts (and/or other required documents) have been processed, we will send you an official Program Admission offer via email, if you have successfully met all program admission requirements.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO GET AN ADMISSION DECISION?

Once all program admission requirements have been completed and we have processed your required documents, you will receive your official Program Admission offer via email within 3 to 5 business days.

WHAT AM I REQUIRED TO PAY TO GET STARTED?

The only fee you’ll need to pay to get started is the enrollment fee, which can be paid through a payment plan for as low as $115.00 per month for 3 months or as a one-time payment of $299 (we often run enrollment promotions). Click to learn more here). Candidates will also pay the TEA technology fee of $35. After you submit your enrollment fee, you will gain immediate access to your online teacher training. You are only ever responsible for the remaining program balance if you are hired as a teacher with a full salary and full benefits.

WHAT HAPPENS IF I DECIDE TEACHING ISN’T FOR ME?

If at any point, you choose to abandon the program before getting hired, you are not responsible for the remaining program balance.

WHAT IS THE TOTAL PROGRAM COST?

The total cost of the program depends on the payment options selected, but the base rate is $4,999. Click to learn more here). This fee grants you access to your online training and all the resources you need to get hired as a teacher. The remaining balance of $4,700 is only due once you are hired as a teacher.

WHEN SHOULD I PAY THE ENROLLMENT FEE?

Once you are offered admission to our program, simply pay the enrollment fee to get started immediately. You will need to pay your enrollment fee to get started on your training and to be approved to take any content exams.

WHEN DO I PAY THE PROGRAM BALANCE?

The remaining balance is not due until you are hired as a full-time teacher. Your payment amount is dependent on the payment option selected.

WILL MY PROGRAM BALANCE ACCUMULATE INTEREST?

No, the standard program balance paid through Teachers of Tomorrow is interest-free.

IS THERE A PAYMENT PLAN?

Yes! Teachers of Tomorrow now offers payment plans! You can enroll for as low as $115.00 per month. Once hired, you can pay 10 interest-free monthly payments of $510 per month!
 

CAN I APPLY FOR FINANCIAL AID?

Texas Teachers is not an institute of higher learning, so is therefore not eligible for financial aid. Your program balance is only due once you are earning a full-time teacher salary. If you never teach, you never pay.

WHAT OTHER FEES ARE REQUIRED OUTSIDE THE PROGRAM?

Texas Education Agency Technology Fee | $35
Certification Exam | $58-$116
Fingerprinting | $52.20
Intern Certificate | $78
Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities (PPR) Exam | $116 (plus additional fees)
Standard Certificate | $78

DO YOU OFFER SCHOLARSHIPS?

Yes! We offer full program scholarships to individuals who are not yet enrolled in the program. Our scholarship period typically opens in the fall. Visit our Promotions page to learn more.

WHERE CAN I FIND THE LATEST COVID-19 UPDATES?

All COVID-19 Updates can be found on our webpage, under our Resources tab. Learn more.

WHERE CAN I FIND THE LATEST TEA UPDATES?

All TEA updates can be found on our blog, under the Resources tab. Learn more.

WHERE CAN I FIND NEW RESOURCES, TIPS, AND RELEVANT ARTICLES?

We frequently post new, relevant articles, share resources, and keep you informed about all things teaching on our Teaching in Texas blog!

Do you have another question that you can’t quite seem to find the answer to on this page? Feel free to check out our two other FAQ pages:

RECENT APPLICANTS FAQ

ENROLLED CANDIDATES FAQ

No luck? Submit a new question by filling out the form below!

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