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Traditional Route Educator Programs offered at the SUCoE

Students seeking teacher certification will select one of the following programs with the listed certification options:

B.S. Education with an Emphasis on Elementary Grades (EC-6) and Health Sciences with Bilingual Supplemental and Special Education Supplemental

  • EC-6 Core Subjects with Science of Reading
  • Bilingual Education Supplemental: Spanish
  • Special Education Supplemental
  • Health Sciences (6-12)
    • Additional experience and certification requirements apply for eligibility

B.S. Education with an Emphasis on Middle Grades (4-8) and Health Sciences with Bilingual Supplemental and Special Education Supplemental

  • 4-8 Core Subjects with Science of Reading
  • Bilingual Education Supplemental: Spanish
  • Special Education Supplemental
  • Health Sciences (6-12)
    • Additional experience and certification requirements apply for eligibility

Becoming a Certified Teacher in Texas

AAS in Business

To become a certified teacher in Texas students must complete the following requirements:

  1. Complete University requirements for a bachelor degree
    • Apply and be admitted to Southwest University
    • Successfully complete all classes in the selected program
  1. Complete state requirements for teacher certification
    • Have an earned bachelor’s degree
    • Meet content testing educational, experience, and/or certification requirements
    • Successfully complete a clinical teaching experience
    • Challenge and receive a passing score on appropriate TExES examinations
    • Pass a fingerprint-based criminal background review

Please visit the Texas Education Agency (TEA) website for a complete description of requirements for teacher certification in Texas.
https://tea.texas.gov/

Southwest University at El Paso and Educator Preparation Program Admission Standards and Procedures

Admission to Southwest University
  • High school diploma or its equivalency
  • Successful interview with an admissions representative

To obtain acceptance into the EPP for Teacher Certification, students must:
  1. Have taken a minimum of 12 to 15 semester credit hours in the subject-specific content area for the certification sought
  2. Completion of 60 semester hours, or equivalent, or pre-EPP coursework
  3. Have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.50 on all coursework previously attempted
  4. Demonstrate basic skills in reading, written communication, and mathematics by meeting the requirements of the Texas Success Initiative
  5. Submit application for admission to the SU-CoE Educator Preparation Program, including signed Commitment Contract acknowledging understanding of the professional dispositions policy and TEA Educators’ Code of Ethics
  6. Successfully complete a pre-admission interview with assigned staff/faculty
  7. Acknowledge the acceptance email confirming offer of admission
  8. Pass a fingerprint-based criminal background review

Candidates seeking the Health Science certification must also:

  1. Hold an associate or more advanced degree from an institution of higher learning accredited or approved by an accrediting agency recognized by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB).
  2. Have a current licensure, certification, or registration by a nationally recognized accrediting agency as a health professions practitioner
  3. Provide verifiable documentation of two years of full-time wage-earning work experience as a health professions practitioner in a field that is nationally recognized by an accrediting agency

Criminal History Background Check Information for Applicants

As part of our commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of students and the educational community, all candidates are required to undergo a criminal history background check as part of the educator preparation program. 

Purpose of the Criminal History Background Check:

The criminal history background check is conducted to evaluate the eligibility of applicants for participation in our program and eventual educator certification. The Texas Education Agency (TEA) requires multiple background checks for progression through the Educator Preparation Program. This process helps us identify any potential criminal history concerns that could impact your ability to work as an educator in educational settings.

Based on information recorded in your criminal history, you may be ineligible for issuance of a teaching certificate upon completion of the Educator Preparation Program. If you have a criminal history, you may obtain a Preliminary Criminal History Evaluation from TEA.

For more information, go to:
https://tea.texas.gov/texas-educators/investigations/preliminary-criminal-history-evaluation-faqs

How to Initiate the Background Check:

Upon submitting your application to the Educator preparation program, you will receive instructions on how to initiate the background check process. You will be provided with the necessary forms, documents, and guidelines to complete this step. If you do not receive this information with 48 hours of submitting your SUCoE specific application please reach out to your admissions representative. Instructions for submission of required documents for the criminal history background check will be provided in your background check materials. You are encouraged to initiate the criminal history background check as soon as possible after submitting your EPP application. This will ensure that any potential concerns are addressed in a timely manner. Applicants will not be admitted without the criminal history background check. Please note that there may be a fee associated with the criminal history background check process. The exact cost and payment instructions will be provided when you receive the instructions for initiating the background check.

Rest assured that all information you provide for the background check will be treated with the utmost confidentiality and used solely for the purpose of evaluating your eligibility for participation in the program and educator certification.

In cases where the background check results in information that could potentially make the applicant ineligible for the SUCoE Educator preparation program. The program director’s office will compile the findings identifying any criminal offenses that may result in potential ineligibility. They will verify that the potential ineligibility is aligned with state regulations, laws, and requirements for educator certification. A written notification will be sent ot the applicant via email with information regarding the potential ineligibility and potential next steps.

Any decisions may be appealed by contacting the Director of the Educator Preparation Program

Teacher Supply and Demand in Texas

Teacher Employment Statistics

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the overall projected employment growth of elementary school teachers in Texas is projected to grow 13 percent, and the projected annual job opening of 11,710 from 2020 to 2030. Over the decade, about 120,300 openings for kindergarten and elementary school teachers are projected each year. The employment of middle school teachers is projected to grow 4 percent from 2021 to 2021, and the employment of high school teachers is projected to grow 5 percent from 20221 to 2031. About 47,300 openings for middle school teachers and 77,900 openings for high school teachers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. The overall employment for K-12 teachers will continue to grow. The average entry-level salary for teachers is $54,135 in the El Paso region. Listed below is a table listing the occupation of K – 12 school teachers with the demand and anticipated annual wage statistics.

 

Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics


*https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_21340.htm#(4)

 

States with the highest employment level in Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education:


https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes252021.htm

 

States with the highest employment level in Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career Technical Education: 


https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes252022.htm

 

States with the highest employment level in Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career Technical Education:


https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes252031.htm

 

 

References 

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2023, April 25). El Paso, TX – May 2022 OEWS Metropolitan and nonmetropolitan area occupational employment and wage estimates. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_21340.htm 

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2023, April 25). Elementary School Teachers, except special education. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes252021.htm  

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2023, April 25). Middle School Teachers, except special and career/technical education. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes252022.htm 

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2023, April 25). Secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical education. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes252031.htm 

 

Visit the TEA Website for more information on Texas Teacher supply and demand

https://tea.texas.gov/reports-and-data/educator-data

EPP Performance

Texas Teacher Certification Pass Rate: Available after first graduating class

Employment Rate: Available after first graduating class

Program Retention Rate: Available after first annual report (fall 2025)

Candidate Satisfaction: Available after first graduating class

TEA’s Complaint Policy 

Southwest University
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