College of Education & Professional Studies

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

Program and TExES Test Applications, and Program Acceptance Criteria

 

For All TEA SBEC Certification Seekers:

  • Application Requesting Attempt TExES Teacher Certification Exam (more information)

Click here, then in Watermark Student Learning and Licensure, navigate to Program Applications on the left, click the START AN APPLICATION button, then choose the needed Application to take a TExES Exam from the list (scroll down if needed) – there are three of these Applications in SLL:  Teacher Certification Content Exams, PPR Exam, and Graduate Level Exams.  You may need to log in to the Sul Ross SSO (single sign on) and authenticate with DUO.  Note: All students are required to meet all prerequisites including success on a practice test prior to approval.  

If you have difficulty logging in to Watermark Student Learning and Licensure, please send an email to SLL-Help@sulross.edu

For Teacher Candidates:

Before applying to the Teacher Education program, students should complete or prepare the following:

  1. Prepare a Microsoft Word (750-1000 word, please double space) document of your STATEMENT OF PURPOSE. Teaching is not a “back-up” or “fallback” career. Making teaching in the public schools a career requires a commitment to serving students and a desire to actively participate in the field. Because of this imperative, the Education Department wishes to know WHY you want to enter the Teacher Education Program. Provide a personal statement of purpose discussing the following: • Why you are pursuing public school teacher certification? • What area(s) of public school do you wish to teach in and why? • What are your professional goals as an educator? • Where do you see your future in public education? • What do you believe your strengths as a student are, as well as other qualities that speak to your
    success in the SRSU Teacher Education Program?
  2. Complete the CastleBranch Background Check process.
  3. Access MySRSU -> My Degree Plan -> Print PDF of current undergraduate degree plan and save it.

Students can apply to the Teacher Education Program or Student Teaching in one of two ways:

Apply Electronically (preferred):

Click here, then in Watermark Student Learning and Licensure, navigate to Program Applications on the left, click the START AN APPLICATION button, then choose the application – Application to the Teacher Education Program (TEP), Application to Student Teach, or Application for Educational Aides to Student Teach (main Application to Student Teach is required).  You may need to log in to the Sul Ross SSO (single sign on) and authenticate with DUO.  Note: All students are required to meet all prerequisites prior to TEP or Student Teaching acceptance.  

If you have difficulty logging in to Watermark Student Learning and Licensure, please send an email to SLL-Help@sulross.edu .

Apply using the PDF forms:

Click the application to download the PDF.

Complete it.

Alpine students should email the completed Application to Madison Owen.

Del Rio, Eagle Pass and Uvalde students should email the completed application to Susan Land.

For Graduate Level Certification Candidates including

  • Educational Diagnostician Program

  • Principal Program

  • School Counselor

  • Superintendent

Click here to view the Graduate Application Process page.

Teacher Education Program Admission Policy

Teacher Education Program (TEP) Admission Requirements

  1. Minimum of 75 sch of coursework completed
  2. Cumulative (GPA) of 2.75 or higher
  3. Completion of 6 sch required English courses witha “C” or higher in each class.
  4. Completion of COMM 1315,1318, or 1320
  5. No incomplete grades or grades lower than a “C” inteaching field or education courses required forcertification.
  6. TSI Readiness (We use Exam Scores OR courseGrades:
    • Test Requirements (one of the following):
      • ACT         Reading       23+
      •                  Writing        18+
      •                  Math             19+
      • SAT         Reading        500+
      •                  Math             530+
    • Grade Requirements in lieu of testing (a grade of “B” or better in the following):
      • Reading: Any 2000 level or upper-level literature course
      • Writing: English 1301 or 1302
      • Math: Math 1314, 1316, 1332, 1342, or 2413

Student Teaching Admittance Policy

Applying for Student Teaching

Student teaching applications are accepted during the year with specific timelines for approval.  These dates are posted on the Education website and also listed on the SRSU Academic Calendar.  Applications can be obtained from the Department of Education or found on the Education website.  Applications are reviewed and candidates are notified via email regarding acceptance to the student teaching capstone for the upcoming semester.  If denied, the letter will outline the criteria needed to meet eligibility for acceptance. There is not an appeal process. Students may contact their academic advisor or Director of Teacher Education with any questions regarding their denial notification.

Preclinical Field Experience

The completion of the minimum number of hours of fieldwork (50 clock hours) as required by TEA prior to enrollment in student teaching.

Student Teaching

Student teaching is the capstone experience of the Educator Preparation Program and is to be completed the last semester prior to graduation. It is a semester-long clinical teaching opportunity to enact teaching knowledge and skills under the supervision of a cooperating teacher and a university supervisor. Candidates are placed in a classroom for either the spring or fall semester to complete a 490-hour (the equivalent of 70 days) clinical student teaching assignment.

Criteria for Acceptance into Student Teaching

Teacher candidates must meet the following requirements to enter student teaching:

  • Admitted to the Teacher Education Program (TEP).
  • Entering the last semester prior to graduation (Capstone).
  • Completion of all coursework with the exception of the remaining Block III Course (Professional Education Courses).
  • Minimum Overall GPA of 2.75.
  • Minimum Cumulative GPA of 2.75 in Area of Concentration/Major and Professional Education courses.
  • Passing score on the TExES Content Exam.

Student teaching applicants should consult their advisor and catalog for specific details regarding eligibility.

Student Teacher Orientation

A required orientation is held early in the semester prior to beginning student teaching to explain requirements and review student teaching placement.  The orientation meeting date is announced on the Education website and all eligible candidates receive a personal invitation from the Department of Education with details of the meeting.

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