Teacher Education Program Admission

Students who plan to declare a major or minor in education or who plan to earn a teaching certificate must formally apply for admission to the Teacher Education Program in the College of Education. To be eligible for admission, students must meet, or will meet during the semester in which they apply, the minimum criteria. However, meeting only the minimum criteria does not ensure admission to the Teacher Education Program. According to the criteria, students must:

  • Complete a minimum of 54 semester hours of coursework.
  • Attain a minimum overall GPA of 2.5 on a minimum of 12 semester hours of coursework at TCU.
  • Complete a course in each of the following areas of study: speech communication (OC) and EDUC 20003 (Critical Inquiry) with a grade of “C” or better.
  • Complete 12 hours of content area coursework.
  • Achieve a grade of “C” or better in all content areas* and education courses taken prior to admission.
  • Have a current (within one year) and clear criminal record check.
  • Attain required scores on one of the following tests: THEA (TASP), ACT or SAT. These scores must not be older than five years.

THEA

SAT

ACT

Reading – 260

Critical Reading – 500

Reading – 19

Mathematics – 230

Mathematics – 500

Mathematics – 19

Writing – 220

Writing – 500

 

 

Composite – 1570

Composite – 23

*Content area for middle/secondary/all-level education majors/minors includes all coursework related to the content area. Content area for EC-6 majors includes history, government, mathematics, English, lab sciences, geography, fine arts and speech.

Students applying for admission to the Teacher Education Program should do so by March 1 for fall admission and October 1 for spring admission. Late applications will be considered on a space- available basis. Eligibility to apply does not ensure admission to the Teacher Education Program. The Admissions Committee will consider minimum criteria, as well as student performance (professional attitude, demeanor, abilities and preparation) and available space in the program.

Any exception to these admission standards must be approved by the program faculty and the College of Education dean and/or designee.

Prior to admission to the College of Education, students may take EDUC 20003, 30113, 30143 and EDEC 30103. Students are not allowed to register for any other education courses until admitted to the College of Education.

Texas Higher Education Assessment (THEA)

Students who do not have the required scores on the ACT or SAT must take the Texas Higher Education Assessment (THEA) examination prior to admission to the Teacher Education Program. The test consists of three sections: reading, writing and mathematics, which may be taken together or at separate test administrations. Students are encouraged to take the THEA as early as possible, preferably during their freshman year. Information about the THEA may be obtained in the College of Education or at www.thea.nesinc.com.

Criminal Record Search

In accordance with Article 6252-13c, Texas Civil Statutes, the Commissioner of Education may suspend or revoke a teaching certificate for a person who has been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor for a crime that directly relates to the duties and responsibilities of the teaching profession. At the request of the State Board of Educator Certification (www.sbec.state.tx.us), the College of Education has established procedures for annual criminal background checks for all education majors and minors. The College of Education requires a criminal background check prior to admission, field experiences and student teaching.

Liability Insurance

As students enter public and private schools for observations, tutoring, after school programs and student teaching, it is important to be covered by liability insurance. Under Texas law, both the student intern and teacher can be held responsible for a child's injury. For this reason, we strongly suggest TCU students be covered with liability insurance. This insurance is offered at low cost to teachers-in-training who belong to a teacher organization. Students can become members of the TCU chapter of the Texas Student Education Association (TSTA-NEA), which covers liability insurance, costs of defending claims and provides the cost of an attorney. Other teacher organizations in the state, such as ATPE, UEA and AFT, offer similar coverage.





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