TAMUK Certification
Click here for a list of certificate offerings. Texas A&M University-Kingsville offers three routes for certification:
- Initial Teacher Certification through our undergraduate degree program through the Educator Preparation Program (EPP),
- Initial Teacher Certification through the Alternative Certification Program (ACP), a non-traditional route designed for individuals who already hold a Bachelor's degree, and
- Professional Certification, offered at the graduate level via our Educational Leadership and Counseling Department (EDLC) for School Counselor, Principal, or Superintendent, or via our Teacher and Bilingual Education Department (TBED) for Master Reading Teacher, Reading Specialist, or Educational Diagnostician.
Certification Announcements!
ATTENTION ALL CERTIFICATION CANDIDATES:
Effective Fall 2013, the Certification Office will host “Test Prep Fridays” every Friday, from 9:00 AM-1:00 PM. At Test Prep Fridays, we will review study materials, offer faculty-led tutoring and review sessions, practice tests, flashcard reviews, and go over test registration and site procedures. Look for flyers and emails out soon. Attendance will be required of all students in certification programs for a minimum number of sessions.
ATTENTION GENERALIST EC-6 CANDIDATES:
Effective September 1, 2014, the TExES 191: Generalist EC-6 examination will be offered in a new format.
Currently, the test has five domains:
- Domain I- English, Language Arts, and Reading (32% of test)
- Domain II- Math (19% of test)
- Domain III- Social Studies (19% of test)
- Domain IV- Science (19% of test)
- Domain V- Fine Arts, Health, PE (12% of test)
The current design enables a student to fail one section, but still pass the overall test.
The new test will have three domains:
- Domain I- English, Language Arts, and Reading (41% of test)
- Domain II- Math (26% of test)
- Domain III- Science, Social Studies, Fine Arts, Health, PE (33% of test)
The new format will require that all test takers pass each section of the test in order to pass the whole test. If you are unsuccessful on one Domain, you will fail the test and will be required to take it again. Please begin tailoring your test preparation to the new design. Contact our office for study tools.
ATTENTION BILINGUAL GENERALIST EC-6 CANDIDATES:
The Bilingual Generalist EC-6 certificate will no longer be issued. However, you may still pursue certification as a Bilingual teacher. Our program will continue to offer preparation for this field. You will now be required to take the following examinations for certificate eligibility:
- TExES 191: Generalist EC-6 (See announcement of new format above)
- TExES 164: Bilingual Supplemental
- TExES 190: Bilingual Target Language Proficiency Test (BTLPT)
- TExES 160: Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities EC-12
Certificate Eligibility Requirements
Standard Classroom Certificate
Educator Preparation Program
- Completion of degree plan requirements to include Student Teaching
- Bachelors Degree
- Minimum GPA of 2.5
- Passing score(s) on required certificate examination(s)
Alternative Certification Program
- Bachelor's Degree
- Completion of coursework requirements
- Completion of minimum one year internship
- Payment of all required program and internship fees
- Passing score(s) on required certificate examination(s)
Standard Professional Certificate (Professional Service)
Principal, Superintendent, School Counselor, Educational Diagnostician, Reading Specialist, and Master Reading Teacher
- Master's Degree
- Completion of coursework requirements
- Passing score(s) on required certificate examination(s)
- Service record reflecting minimum of two years creditable teaching experience. Applicant must hold Principal certificate or equivalent to be eligible for issuance of Superintendent Certificate.
For information about Probationary Certificate eligibility, please contact our office.
TExES Exam Preparation and Approval Process
In accordance with Texas Administrative Code Title 19 Part 7 Chapter 228.35, all candidates for certification must complete a minimum of 6 clock hours of test preparation for exam eligibility. Below are some examples of resources available:
Educational Testing Service (ETS) Preparation Materials
http://www.texes.ets.org/prepMaterials/
On this site, you can download and print free Preparation Manuals for each of the examinations you will be required to pass to qualify for certification.
PACT Test Preparation Site
http://tap.tarleton.edu/pact
In the TExES Reviews section of PACT, students have access to in-depth review material various TExES Examinations, including the Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities (PPR) EC-12 exam. Membership is free!
Practice Exams
Representative tests are offered by appointment. There is no charge to students for these practice tests. Call 361-593-2894 to register.
T-CERT
http://pact.tarleton.edu/tcert
This website is open to all educator preparation students and all teachers in Texas with a TEA ID number. Membership is free.
Certify Teacher TestSim Software
Available in Rhode Hall 112, this software enable students to review Domains and Competencies on certification exams and to take a sample practice test. Access is free for current students.
Books, Flashcards, and FREE PRACTICE TESTS!
Current students may come by Rhode Hall 112 to reserve test preparation materials on a loan basis, or if available, for you to keep.
Other Resources
- www.240tutoring.com - Individualized online study tool ($79 for a 60-day subscription. Use promo code "TXAMKING" for a discount!)
- www.texes.net - Review books, practice tests, and flashcards ($39 and up)
Frequently Asked Questions:
I don't understand the requirement of completing 6 hours of test preparation. Can you clarify this?
The Texas Administrative Code requires that students have a minimum of 6 hours of test preparation before taking TExES Certification Exams. At TAMUK, we offer various ways for you to complete this requirement. Each practice test is worth 2 hours of preparation, so by taking your two practice tests (at least one content and one PPR) you've already accumulated 4 hours of preparation! For the remaining 2 hours, you can do self study, use our TestSim software, attend a review session, etc. You don't have to do 6 hours per test. Your goal is a minimum of 6 hours total. The more you study, though, the better!
How much do the certification exam cost?
Each certification exam is $120. With impending changes to many of the tests, the cost may soon go up! That's why it's a great idea to take advantage of all of the free resources we offer to help you prepare. You only want to pay that fee one time!
I'm applying for my certificate, what do I put where it says "Subject Applying For"?
Applicants should put the type of certificate requested. For example, if your major was Kinesiology, you should put "Physical Education EC-12" because once issued, your certificate will read as such. If you are pursuing Generalist EC-6 certification, you should put "Generalist EC-6," and so on. Certificates are not issued for Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities, only content areas.
How do I know what to select where it says "Recommending Entity"?
The answer will depend on your route. If you are a traditional undergraduate student seeking initial certification, or if you are pursuing a Professional Level certificate, you should select "Texas A&M University-Kingsville (University Based)." If you are in the Alternative Certification Program, you should select "Texas A&M University-Kingsville (Alternative)." Only those pursuing Master Reading Teacher certification should select "Texas A&M University-Kingsville (Master Teacher)."
What if I already did fingerprinting for a school or another job?
The fingerprinting process required by the Texas Education Agency is different, and mandated by law. However, there are exceptions for some students who may have previously fingerprinted by a school district as required under Senate Bill 9. If you have a question about your requirement for fingerprinting, call 512-936-8400 option 3.
How long will it be before I am certified?
This is difficult to answer. There are several steps in the verification process to determine that all requirements for the certificate have been met. Once verification is complete, the Texas Education Agency can take between 3-5 business days after recommendation has been submitted.
I took all my tests, completed classes, applied for the certificate and cleared fingerprinting. Why haven't I been recommended?
The Texas Administrative Code requires a minimum of a Bachelors degree for initial certification, and a minimum of a Masters degree for Professional Service certificates. While all other requirements may be complete, until your official transcript shows the appropriate degree conferred, a recommendation cannot go through. Fortunately, the Registrar's Office usually posts degrees the day of graduation ceremonies, so certificate recommendation happens soon after.
Contact Information
Daniella G. Varela, M.P.A.
Certification Officer
Rhode Hall 112D
Phone: 361-593-2894
Fax: 361-593-2890
Email: kudmg005@tamuk.edu
Linda Flores
Administrative Assistant III
Rhode Hall 112D
Phone: 361-593-4172
Fax: 361-593-2890
Email: kalss00@tamuk.edu
This page was last updated on: March 25, 2013