ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Applicants who have never been admitted into a Texas approved Educator Preparation Program (EPP) must meet the following requirements to be considered for acceptance into the ACP:
- Conferred baccalaureate degree from an institution that is recognized by one of the regional accrediting agencies
- Cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher or a minimum GPA of 2.75 in the last 60 semester credit hours (SCH)
- Pass the Pre-admission Content Test (PACT) for the desired certification area. More information can be found about PACT registration can be found .
- International students are required to pass the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL):
- Minimum passing scores per TEA: 24 for speaking, 22 for listening, 22 for reading, 21 for writing
- Attend a scheduled interview with College of Education Faculty/Leadership
APPLICATION PROCESS
Prospective candidates must apply to the College of Education:
- Submit the , and attach the following documents:
- TX PACT score report (if score report is pending at time of application, send to acp@utep.edu once issued)
- Essay. Refer to Prompts for ACP Application Essay
- Resume
- Names and contact information for three professional references
- Official transcripts
- Undergraduate transcripts are required for all applicants
- Graduate transcripts should be included if any graduate coursework has been completed
- Transcripts issued by a non-US entity must be evaluated by a
- Candidates who are admitted to the College of Education will be instructed to apply to the UTEP Graduate School
For more information, please contact us .
Background Checks
As part of the EPP, candidates are required to pass background checks to be eligible for field-based experiences (observation hours), clinical teaching, and applying for their standard teaching certificate.
Pursuant to the Texas Education Code TEC, §22.0835, candidates must undergo a criminal history background check prior to student teaching; and pursuant to the TEC, §22.083, candidates must undergo a criminal history background check prior to employment as an educator. A candidate may be ineligible for issuance of a certificate on completion of the EPP if an individual has been convicted of an offense.
A person who is enrolled or planning to enroll in an educator preparation program or planning to take a certification examination may request a evaluation letter regarding the person's potential ineligibility for certification due to a conviction or deferred adjudication for a felony or misdemeanor offense.