Post-Baccalaureate & Alternative Certification Admission Requirements
A Post-Baccalaureate student is an individual who has already earned a bachelor’s degree and is seeking a graduate degree and a teacher certification simultaneously. A student who has already earned a bachelors degree and ONLY seeking a certification is called an Alternative Certification Student.
Official Admission Requirements
- Must have an undergraduate degree or graduate degree from an accredited university.
- Call 972-883-2730 to schedule an appointment with a TDC Certification Advisor.
- Meet with a TDC Certification Advisor to develop your certification plan and discuss your options.
- Bring a copy of your degree and transcripts to the TDC meeting.
- Student’s must have at least a cumulative 3.0 GPA or a 3.0 GPA in the last 60 hours.
- After your initial meeting then apply to UT Dallas as a “non-degree seeking, teacher certification, graduate student” in the School of Interdisciplinary Studies. This is the way the university application system is set up. Later, when accepted into the program you will be distinguished as a Post-Baccalaureate or Alternative Certification student. See links under Post Baccalaureate and Alternative Certification Checklist.
- Meet with an advisor in the TDC to develop your certification plan. Call 972-883-2730 to schedule an appointment.
- Upon acceptance of admission to UT Dallas, teacher certification students must complete ALL required paperwork in the TDC in order to register for classes.
- Students are required to take the Pre-Admission Content Test (PACT). When you are ready to take the PACT Test, make sure you are taking the correct test for your desired certification. This exam covers only subject matter in your content area, do not be concerned about teaching methods or pedagogy…only the subject matter. Detailed PACT information is available at the NES website. Taking the PACT Test does not ensure admittance into an Educator Preparation Program. Programs may have additional admission requirements.
- Students must complete a minimum of 15 hours of content field coursework for those students pursuing Math or Science(s) Certifications (4-8, 6-12 and 7-12). Complete a minimum of 12 hours of content field coursework for those students who are pursuing teaching fields in Arts and Humanities.
- Students will need a Social Security Number. A Social Security number is required for Teacher Certification to complete the fingerprinting process.
- Students are required to adhere to the Code of Ethics and Standard Practices for Texas Educators, Fitness to Teach Policy and TDC Student Handbook.
- Students are notified by email when they have been officially admitted to the Teacher Certification Preparation Program. Students must reply to the email within 7 days to accept their admittance to the program.
- Once admitted, students will establish a TEAL (TEA login), ECOS (Educator Certification Online System) and NES (National Evaluation Series) accounts.
- For questions regarding Post-Baccalaureate and Alternative Certification programs, please contact the TDC at 972-883-2730 or email amy.crowell@utdallas.edu.
Technical Standards for Admission
Review the University of Texas at Dallas Teacher Development Center’s abilities and skills necessary for the teaching profession.
International Students
- TOEFL-Students from non-English speaking countries whose primary language is NOT English are required to take all four sections of the TOEFL (as the only approved test). The Texas Education Agency (TEA) requires applicants to score a 24 for Speaking, 22 for Listening, 22 for Reading and 21 for Writing. To register for the TOEFL, please login to the ETS website.
- If an undergraduate or graduate degree was earned at an institution of higher education in a country outside the United States, please refer to the list of countries (pdf) approved by the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) to satisfy the English language proficiency requirement.
- Students must provide official transcripts to UT Dallas during admissions and all official transcripts must have a detailed evaluation completed by the Foreign Credentials Service of America.
For Next Steps See: Post-Baccalaureate and Alternative Certification Checklist
The requirements for admission into the UT Dallas Teacher Development Center educator preparation program are in compliance with Chapter 227 of the Texas Administrative Code and the HEA Title II accountability provisions.