Teaching Programs in Texas
Due to this state’s sizable population, a large number of educational policies and materials are created in Texas, or with Texas in mind. This means that as a teacher you will have access to cutting edge curriculum that applies to Texas education.
In addition, Texas has developed its own initiatives in the pursuit of excellence in education. The Teacher Excellence Initiative (TEI), which has been implemented in Dallas school districts, has three goals:
- Define excellence: TEI defines excellence through the lens of teacher performance, student achievement, and student experience (through a student survey)
- Support excellence: TEI proscribes and requires professional development at every experience level.
- Reward excellence: TEI focuses on aligning teacher compensation with student performance.
Read on to learn how to become a teacher in this forward-thinking state.
How to Become a Teacher in Texas
Texas offers both a traditional and alternative route to becoming a teacher.
Traditional Route
The Texas Education Agency outlines five steps to getting a degree via the traditional path:
- Earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from a college or university: The college or university must be accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) or the U.S. Department of Education Database for Accredited Colleges and Universities (note that certification for health science technology and trades and industrial education do not require a bachelor’s degree).
- Complete an Educator Preparation Program: You must complete an Approved Educator Preparation Program. Programs are typically part of an education bachelor’s degree.
- Pass certification exams: Texas has developed its own testing for prospective applicants. See the licensure section below.
- Submit a state application: After the above requirements are met, you can apply for certification. Note that all first-time applicants are required to get a background check.
Through this route you will earn the standard certificate, which can be renewed every five years.Â
Alternative Route
Texas provides alternative certification programs (ACPs) that allow you to teach while completing the requirements for the standard certificate. ACPs—also known as Educator Preparation programs—must be approved by the state of Texas.
This route is ideal for people who already hold a bachelor’s degree but have not completed a teacher education program. In order to be eligible for this program, you will need to show content proficiency by taking the Pre-Admission Content Test (PACT).
Once you pass the PACT, you can begin teaching with a probationary license while you complete an ACP. Programs typically take around one year.Â
Licensure in Texas
In order to teach in public schools in Texas you need to complete requirements for standard certification. You can become certified in a number of subject areas.
If you take an alternative route to become a teacher, you can earn a probationary certificate. However, you must apply for standard certification within one to two years.
To apply for certification you need to take one of the following Texas-specific tests: Texas Examinations of Educator Standards (TExES) and Texas Examinations for Master Teachers (TExMaT). For more information, refer to the Texas Educator Certification Examination Program website.
Paying for Your Education
The Texas Teacher Agency identifies a number of programs and grants that can help you fund your education.
- Teach for America: Offers reimbursement for past student loans or awards money for future educational costs; applicants must be recent college graduates who commit to teaching in urban and rural public schools for two years.
- Teacher loan forgiveness: A federal program that provides loan forgiveness—up to $17,500—for those teaching in low-income school or educational service agencies.
- Grow-your-own programs: Some Texas school districts offer financial aid to students who agree to teach in the school district they graduated from.
- Reimbursement for veterans: The Texas Workforce Commission has approved funding through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
- Texas Workforce Commission: This organization offers special programs to help candidates become and remain teachers.
- Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board: Refer to their site to learn about grants, financial aid, student loans, or scholarships.
 Career Outlook for Educators in Texas
Texas is a fantastic place to become a teacher—predicted job growth for educators in Texas is nearly three times the growth predicated for the U.S. as a whole. CareerOneStop (May 2018) reports the following growth between 2016 and 2026:
Level/Subject Area |
Percent Growth |
Number of Jobs |
Elementary School |
20% |
14,050 |
Middle School |
21% |
7,000 |
High School |
21% |
10,130 |
Career/Technical Education Teachers, Middle and High School |
20% |
1,000 |
Special Education, K–12 |
20% |
2,660 |
Post-secondary teaching positions are also seeing higher-than-average job growth.
*Average of all individual post-secondary teaching salaries provided by BLS.
State Resources
Additional Education Degree Schools in Texas
Angelo State University (San Angelo, TX)- NCATE candidate
- Subject(s):
- Administration, Adult/Higher Ed, Curriculum/Instruction, Reading/Literacy, School Counseling/Psychology, Special Ed
Austin College (Sherman, TX)- Subject(s):
- Art, English/Language Arts, Foreign Languages, History/Social Studies, Math, Music, Phys Ed/Health, Reading/Literacy, Science, Speech/Communications
Baylor University (Waco, TX)- NCATE accredited
- Subject(s):
- Administration, Curriculum/Instruction, Instructional Technology, Phys Ed/Health
Collin College (McKinney, TX)- Subject(s):
- Administration
Concordia University Texas (Austin, TX)- Subject(s):
- Administration, Curriculum/Instruction, Reading/Literacy
Dallas Baptist University (Dallas, TX)- Subject(s):
- Administration, Adult/Higher Ed, Business, Curriculum/Instruction, English/Language Arts, ESL/TESOL, History/Social Studies, Math, Music, Phys Ed/Health, Reading/Literacy, School Counseling/Psychology, Science, Special Ed
East Texas Baptist University (Marshall, TX)
Education Service Center - Region 12 (Waco, TX)- Subject(s):
- Speech/Communications
Education Service Center - Region 14 (Abilene, TX)- Subject(s):
- Administration, English/Language Arts, School Counseling/Psychology
Hardin-Simmons University (Abilene, TX)- Subject(s):
- Administration, Curriculum/Instruction, Gifted & Talented, Phys Ed/Health, Reading/Literacy, School Counseling/Psychology
Houston Baptist University (Houston, TX)- Subject(s):
- Administration, Art, Curriculum/Instruction, English/Language Arts, ESL/TESOL, Foreign Languages, History/Social Studies, Math, Music, Phys Ed/Health, Reading/Literacy, School Counseling/Psychology, Science, Special Ed, Speech/Communications
Howard Payne University (Brownwood, TX)- Subject(s):
- Administration, Curriculum/Instruction
Lamar State College-Orange (Orange, TX)- Subject(s):
- Reading/Literacy
Lamar University - Online (Beaumont, TX)- NCATE accredited
- Subject(s):
- Administration, Career/Vocational, Special Ed
LeTourneau University (Longview, TX)- Subject(s):
- Administration, Curriculum/Instruction
Lone Star College System - North Harris (Houston, TX)- Subject(s):
- Administration, Career/Vocational, ESL/TESOL, Instructional Technology, Special Ed
Lone Star College System - Tomball (Tomball, TX)- Subject(s):
- English/Language Arts
Lubbock Christian University (Lubbock, TX)- Subject(s):
- Administration, Business, Curriculum/Instruction, English/Language Arts, History/Social Studies, Math, School Counseling/Psychology, Science, Special Ed, Speech/Communications
Midwestern State University (Wichita Falls, TX)- Subject(s):
- Administration, Reading/Literacy, Special Ed
Our Lady of the Lake University (San Antonio, TX)- Subject(s):
- Administration, Career/Vocational, Curriculum/Instruction, ESL/TESOL, Math, Reading/Literacy, School Counseling/Psychology, Science, Special Ed
Prairie View A&M University (Praire View, TX)- NCATE accredited
- Subject(s):
- School Counseling/Psychology
Rice University (Houston, TX)- TEAC accredited
- Subject(s):
- Art, Career/Vocational, English/Language Arts, Foreign Languages, History/Social Studies, Math, Phys Ed/Health, Reading/Literacy, Science
Sam Houston State University (Huntsville, TX)- NCATE accredited
- Subject(s):
- Administration, Adult/Higher Ed, Curriculum/Instruction, ESL/TESOL, Gifted & Talented, History/Social Studies, Instructional Technology, Math, Reading/Literacy, School Counseling/Psychology, Science, Special Ed
Schreiner University (Kerrville, TX)
Southern Methodist University (Dallas, TX)- Subject(s):
- English/Language Arts, ESL/TESOL, Gifted & Talented, Math, Reading/Literacy, Science
Southwestern Adventist University (Keene, TX)- Subject(s):
- Administration, Curriculum/Instruction, Reading/Literacy
Southwestern Assemblies of God University (Waxahachie, TX)- Subject(s):
- Administration, Curriculum/Instruction, History/Social Studies, School Counseling/Psychology
St Edward's University (Austin, TX)- Subject(s):
- Curriculum/Instruction, School Counseling/Psychology
St. Mary's University (San Antonio, TX)- Subject(s):
- Administration, English/Language Arts, History/Social Studies, Reading/Literacy, Science
Stephen F. Austin State University (Nacogdoches, TX)- Subject(s):
- Curriculum/Instruction, ESL/TESOL, Music, Reading/Literacy, School Counseling/Psychology, Special Ed
Sul Ross State University (Alpine, TX)- Subject(s):
- Administration, Adult/Higher Ed, Phys Ed/Health, Reading/Literacy, School Counseling/Psychology
Tarleton State University (Stephenville, TX)- Subject(s):
- Administration, Curriculum/Instruction, ESL/TESOL, Gifted & Talented, Phys Ed/Health, Reading/Literacy, Special Ed
Texas A & M International University (Laredo, TX)- Subject(s):
- Administration, Curriculum/Instruction, ESL/TESOL, Reading/Literacy, School Counseling/Psychology, Special Ed
Texas A & M University (College Station, TX)- NCATE accredited
- Subject(s):
- Adult/Higher Ed, Curriculum/Instruction, English/Language Arts, ESL/TESOL, Foreign Languages, Instructional Technology, Math, Reading/Literacy, School Counseling/Psychology, Science, Special Ed
Texas A & M University-Kingsville (Kingsville, TX)- Subject(s):
- Administration, Adult/Higher Ed, ESL/TESOL, Instructional Technology, Phys Ed/Health, Reading/Literacy, School Counseling/Psychology, Special Ed
Texas A & M University-Texarkana (Texarkana, TX)- Subject(s):
- Curriculum/Instruction, English/Language Arts, Instructional Technology, Science, Special Ed
Texas A&M University Commerce (Commerce, TX)- Subject(s):
- Administration, Reading/Literacy
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi (Corpus Christi, TX)- Subject(s):
- Administration, Art, Career/Vocational, Curriculum/Instruction, English/Language Arts, ESL/TESOL, Foreign Languages, History/Social Studies, Instructional Technology, Math, Music, Phys Ed/Health, Reading/Literacy, School Counseling/Psychology, Science, Special Ed, Speech/Communications
Texas Christian University (Fort Worth, TX)- Subject(s):
- Administration, Curriculum/Instruction, ESL/TESOL, School Counseling/Psychology, Science, Special Ed
Texas Southern University (Houston, TX)- NCATE candidate
- Subject(s):
- Curriculum/Instruction, ESL/TESOL, School Counseling/Psychology
Texas State University-San Marcos (San Marcos, TX)- Subject(s):
- Administration, Adult/Higher Ed, ESL/TESOL, Gifted & Talented, Instructional Technology, Phys Ed/Health, Reading/Literacy, School Counseling/Psychology, Special Ed
Texas Tech University (Lubbock, TX)- NCATE accredited
- Subject(s):
- Administration, Adult/Higher Ed, Curriculum/Instruction, ESL/TESOL, Instructional Technology, Reading/Literacy, School Counseling/Psychology, Special Ed
Texas Wesleyan University (Fort Worth, TX)- Subject(s):
- Administration, ESL/TESOL, Reading/Literacy, School Counseling/Psychology, Science
Texas Woman's University (Dallas, TX / Denton, TX / Houston, TX)- Subject(s):
- Art, Career/Vocational, Curriculum/Instruction, English/Language Arts, ESL/TESOL, History/Social Studies, Math, Music, Phys Ed/Health, Reading/Literacy, Special Ed
The University of Texas at Arlington - Online (Arlington, TX)- NCATE accredited
- Subject(s):
- Administration, Curriculum/Instruction, Math, Reading/Literacy, Science
The University of Texas at Austin (Austin, TX)- Subject(s):
- Administration, Adult/Higher Ed, Curriculum/Instruction, ESL/TESOL, Foreign Languages, History/Social Studies, Instructional Technology, Math, Phys Ed/Health, Reading/Literacy, School Counseling/Psychology, Science, Special Ed, Speech/Communications
The University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College (Brownsville, TX)- Subject(s):
- Administration, Curriculum/Instruction, ESL/TESOL, Instructional Technology, Math, Phys Ed/Health, Reading/Literacy, Science, Special Ed
The University of Texas at Dallas (Richardson, TX)- Subject(s):
- Curriculum/Instruction, Math, Science
The University of Texas at El Paso (El Paso, TX)- Subject(s):
- Administration, Adult/Higher Ed, Career/Vocational, Curriculum/Instruction, ESL/TESOL, Instructional Technology, Math, Phys Ed/Health, Reading/Literacy, School Counseling/Psychology, Science, Special Ed
The University of Texas at San Antonio (San Antonio, TX)- Subject(s):
- Administration, Adult/Higher Ed, Curriculum/Instruction, ESL/TESOL, Foreign Languages, Instructional Technology, Phys Ed/Health, Reading/Literacy, School Counseling/Psychology, Special Ed
The University of Texas at Tyler (Tyler, TX)- TEAC accredited
- Subject(s):
- Administration, Curriculum/Instruction, Reading/Literacy, School Counseling/Psychology, Special Ed
The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (San Antonio, TX)- Subject(s):
- Science, Special Ed
The University of Texas of the Permian Basin - Online (Odessa, TX)- NCATE accredited
- Subject(s):
- Administration, ESL/TESOL, Math, Reading/Literacy, Special Ed
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Online (Online, TX)- Subject(s):
- Administration, Curriculum/Instruction, Math, Science, Special Ed
The University of Texas-Pan American (Edinburg, TX)- Subject(s):
- Administration, Art, English/Language Arts, ESL/TESOL, Foreign Languages, Gifted & Talented, History/Social Studies, Instructional Technology, Math, Music, Phys Ed/Health, Reading/Literacy, School Counseling/Psychology, Science, Special Ed, Speech/Communications
Trinity University (San Antonio, TX)- NCATE accredited
- Subject(s):
- Art, ESL/TESOL, Music, Special Ed
University of Houston (Houston, TX)- NCATE accredited
- Subject(s):
- Art, Curriculum/Instruction, English/Language Arts, Gifted & Talented, History/Social Studies, Instructional Technology, Math, Reading/Literacy, Science
University of Houston-Clear Lake (Houston, TX)- NCATE accredited
- Subject(s):
- Administration, Curriculum/Instruction, English/Language Arts, History/Social Studies, Instructional Technology, Reading/Literacy, Science
University of Houston-Downtown (Houston, TX)- Subject(s):
- Curriculum/Instruction, English/Language Arts, ESL/TESOL, History/Social Studies, Math, Reading/Literacy, Science
University of Houston-Victoria (Victoria, TX)- TEAC accredited
- Subject(s):
- Curriculum/Instruction, Math, Reading/Literacy, Special Ed
University of Mary Hardin-Baylor (Belton, TX)- Subject(s):
- Administration, Business, English/Language Arts, Phys Ed/Health, Reading/Literacy, Science, Special Ed
University of North Texas (Denton, TX)- NCATE accredited
- Subject(s):
- Administration, Adult/Higher Ed, Curriculum/Instruction, Gifted & Talented, Phys Ed/Health, Reading/Literacy, School Counseling/Psychology, Special Ed
University of Phoenix (Arlington, TX / Austin, TX / Dallas, TX / El Paso, TX / Houston, TX / Hurst, TX / Irving, TX / Killeen, TX / Plano, TX / San Antonio, TX / Spring, TX / Sugar Land, TX)- Subject(s):
- Administration, Adult/Higher Ed, Art, Curriculum/Instruction, English/Language Arts, Math, Reading/Literacy, Special Ed
University of St. Thomas-Houston, TX (Houston, TX)- NCATE accredited, TEAC accredited
- Subject(s):
- Administration, Curriculum/Instruction, ESL/TESOL, Foreign Languages, Gifted & Talented, History/Social Studies, Math, Music, Phys Ed/Health, Reading/Literacy, Science, Special Ed, Speech/Communications
University of the Incarnate Word (San Antonio, TX)- TEAC accredited
- Subject(s):
- Adult/Higher Ed, Reading/Literacy
University of Wisconsin-Superior (Online) (Dallas, TX)- Subject(s):
- Administration, Special Ed
Wayland Baptist University (Plainview, TX)- Subject(s):
- Administration, Adult/Higher Ed, Art, Business, Career/Vocational, Curriculum/Instruction, English/Language Arts, History/Social Studies, Math, Reading/Literacy, School Counseling/Psychology, Science, Special Ed
West Texas A & M University (Canyon, TX)- Subject(s):
- Reading/Literacy, Special Ed