Clinical Teaching Pathways
UTEP’s Miner Teacher Residency Alternative Certification Program (ACP) offers three clinical teaching pathways to help teacher candidates satisfy certification requirements. Candidates may select their own pathway, provided they meet the eligibility requirements.
All clinical teaching experiences begin after the first semester (“pre-residency”) in the ACP. Pre-residency programming includes coursework, field-based experience, professional development, and preparation for state certification exams, all designed to help candidates meet TEA requirements to qualify for clinical teaching.
UTEP is proud to be an official (TTRPR) provider.
A two-semester co-teaching experience.
- Receive a placement on a partner campus in the El Paso region
- Co-teach with a trained Host Teacher in a classroom that aligns with your certification area
- Attend Residency three days per week for two semesters
- Receive support and coaching from a UTEP Site Coordinator
- Demonstrate proficiency in four formal observations
- Attend a weekly 90-minute seminar
- Exempt from the PPR exam
Residency: Instructional Aide Pathway
A two-semester co-teaching experience for existing (current) instructional aides and paraprofessionals.
- Maintain your current position, salary, and benefits while working in a classroom that aligns with your certification area
- Specialized weekly 90-minute seminar tailored to aides and paraprofessionals
- Receive support and coaching from a UTEP Site Coordinator
- Demonstrate proficiency in four formal observations
- Exempt from the PPR exam
- Must hold a valid Educational Aide certificate
- Must have principal approval and access to a certified Host Teacher for at least 21 hours per week to facilitate co-teaching
- Note: Qualifying aide positions are most common in special education and early elementary settings.
A one-year teaching experience.
- Secure your own teacher-of-record position with a TEA- or TEPSAC-accredited school in the El Paso region
- Complete your first year as a teacher (with salary) while meeting certification requirements
- Receive support and coaching from a UTEP Site Coordinator
- Demonstrate proficiency in five formal observations
- Attend a weekly 90-minute seminar
- Must pass state certificate exams to meet TEA Intern/Probationary Certificate requirements