How Do I Apply?
Program Prerequisites:
The minimum requirements to apply to Texas Teaching Fellows include:
- Bachelor’s degree conferred by June 2010. Candidates must possess a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher learning (college/university) or be on track for a bachelor’s degree to be conferred no later than June 2010, in order to apply.
- Minimum GPA of 2.75. We consider each application individually, and the application includes a section that provides applicants an opportunity to explain any unforeseen circumstances that may have caused their GPA to be lower than the 2.75 requirement. Candidates with a GPA between 2.5 and 2.75 with demonstrated exceptional achievements in other areas are encouraged to apply. Unfortunately, we cannot consider candidates with a GPA below 2.5.
- Eligible to work in the United States. To be eligible for TTF, you must be a U. S. citizen or a permanent resident with valid documents. TTF is unable to sponsor work Visas.
- Coursework requirements for the subject area. TTF is looking for candidates with strong background knowledge in one of the following high-need areas: math, science, bilingual education, and special education. In order to be eligible for alternative certification through TTF, Fellows must meet the coursework requirements for a specific content area. Please review the subject eligibility section below for more details. Please note that some subject areas fill quickly, and applications received for filled subject areas will not be reviewed.
- Not already a certified teacher. The TTF curriculum is specifically designed for individuals with no previous education experience and for raising student achievement in the critical shortage content areas. Interested individuals should not be currently enrolled in another alternative certification program in Texas. Certified teachers are encouraged to visit the State Board for Educator Certification website to learn more about teaching opportunities and certification in Texas.
- Pass a criminal background check. Candidates must be able to pass a criminal background check under guidelines provided by the State of Texas and local district requirements.
Subject Eligibility & Required Exams
TTF is looking for candidates with strong background knowledge in one of the high-needs subject areas. In order to be eligible for alternative certification through TTF, Fellows must not already be certified and must meet the coursework requirements for a specific content area.
In addition, according to No Child Left Behind federal legislation, all teachers must be considered “highly qualified” to teach within a certain subject area. Highly qualified status for members of Texas Teaching Fellows is determined by demonstrating content mastery on the state-approved TExES content exams. Fellows must pass their appropriate TExES content examination before they can assume a full-time teaching position through the TTF program. Additionally, Fellows must take the TExES prior to the start of Institute.
The table below outlines both the required coursework hours for content area eligibility and the exams required of Fellows within each content area.
For specific information on the testing requirements, please visit the TExES Exams page.
Please note:
- Advanced hours are typically 300-level and above courses (generally taken during the last two years of college). Introductory courses do not count as advanced level.
- Science courses include physical, chemical, or life sciences; they do not include most social science classes.
- Accounting and business math courses may not qualify as advanced math hours.
- Only classes with a ‘C’ or higher grade will be considered.
- Official content-area eligibility is determined during the interview process; TTF will conduct a thorough review of transcripts before extending an offer to join the cohort.
- Transcripts from another country will need to be evaluated by an SBEC-approved evaluation agency. Find the list here.
Certification Area |
Total Content Hours Required |
Advanced Hours/ Add’l Requirements |
Required Exams- Completed prior to entering the classroom |
Required Exams-Completed during the first year of teaching |
Bilingual Spanish, Grades: EC-6 |
36 hours total, including 6+ in each: English, math, science, social studies |
None. Must be fluent in written and oral Spanish. |
Bilingual Generalist EC-6 (192) |
1) Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities EC-6 (194) |
English as a Second Language |
36 hours total, including 6+ in each: English, math, science, social studies |
None Basic knowledge of Spanish is encouraged but not required. |
English as a Second Language/Generalist 4-8 (120) |
1) Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities 4-8 (110) |
| Generalist 4-8 | 36 hours total, including 6+ in each: English, math, science, social studies |
None | Generalist 4-8 (111) | 1) Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities 4-8 (110) |
Mathematics, Grades: 4-8 |
18 hours in math |
6+ hours in math |
Mathematics 4-8 (115) |
Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities 4-8 (110) |
Mathematics, Grades: 8-12 |
24 hours in math |
12+ hours in math |
Mathematics 8-12 (135) |
Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities 8-12 (130) |
Science, Grades: 4-8 |
18 hours in science |
6+ hours in science |
Science 4-8 (116) |
Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities 4-8 (110) |
Science, Grades: 8-12 |
24 hours in science |
12+ hours in science |
Science 8-12 (136) |
Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities 8-12 (130) |
Special Education, Grades: EC- 12** |
24 hours total: 3+ in each: English, math, science, social studies |
None |
Special Education EC-12 (161) |
1) Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities EC-12 (160) |
**Note: All special education Fellows will need to take and pass an additional content exam to demonstrate content knowledge. This exam must be taken by August 2010.
Want to learn more? Click here to join us for an information session.