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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Yes! During your Internship Year, you receive full pay and benefits from your school district while employed as the teacher of record.
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.
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.
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
We offer over 50+ different certification areas! To explore the list, visit our Testing page and click on the red button titled, “Certification Areas.”
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.
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:
Most candidates follow the Traditional Path which requires a 2.5+ GPA and a 4-year bachelor’s degree.
Yes! If your GPA is between 2.3-2.49, you can take a Pre-Admission Content Test (PACT) to qualify. Learn more.
Possibly! If you have 3-5 years of verifiable wage-earning experience, you may qualify! Learn more.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
You will receive an email from us confirming that your application has been received.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
If at any point, you choose to abandon the program before getting hired, you are not responsible for the remaining program balance.
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.
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.
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.
No, the standard program balance paid through Teachers of Tomorrow is interest-free.
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!
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.
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
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.
All COVID-19 Updates can be found on our webpage, under our Resources tab. Learn more.
All TEA updates can be found on our blog, under the Resources tab. Learn more.
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:
No luck? Submit a new question by filling out the form below!
