The Yearlong Clinical Teaching Residency at UTRGV is an immersive, high-impact program designed to prepare future educators through a full academic year of hands-on experience. Teacher candidates co-teach in EC-6 classrooms alongside experienced mentor teachers while simultaneously completing their teaching methods coursework. Under the guidance of mentor educators and university faculty, residents engage in intensive clinical training with multiple structured opportunities to develop and refine their teaching practice. In most cases, participants also receive financial compensation during this year-long clinical experience. Central to this residency is a collaborative partnership between UTRGV and local school districts, united in the mission to cultivate confident, classroom-ready teachers who are equipped to lead from day one. As a result of this rigorous preparation, eligible residents may earn an Enhanced Certificate—a credential that exempts them from certain standard certification components, most notably the PPR (Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities) exam. This streamlined certification pathway recognizes the depth and quality of training received through the residency, affirming that these candidates are fully prepared to enter the classroom with the skills and knowledge required for success.
Timing
- Applications take place during your second block. Be on the lookout for recruitment dates and details with Office of Field Experience Office.
Submit Application
- Apply through the Office of Field Experience using Watermark (SL&L) once the application window opens. A resume is required.
Job Fair
- Attend the Teacher Residency Job Fair and bring multiple copies of your resume.
Interviews
- Districts will conduct on-the-spot interviews during the fair.
Commitment
- If offered a position, sign the commitment letter with UTRGV and the district.
District Teacher Job Requirements
| Fall to Spring | Spring to Fall |
|---|---|
| Edcouch-Elsa ISD | Mercedes ISD |
| Harlingen CISD | |
| La Joya ISD | |
| Los Fresnos CISD | |
| Lyford CISD | |
| McAllen ISD | |
| Vanguard Academy Charter School |
Requirements
- Recruitment will take place during the second block.
- Teacher Residents must be within 21 hours of graduation at the time of the third semester.
- Be enrolled in one of the following programs:
- Special Education
- Early Childhood (EC-3)
- Bilingual (EC-6)
- ESL (EC-6)
Field Hours
- All Teacher Residents will be required to complete 50 field hours in their assigned district prior to the start of school year.
Testing Scores
- The TExES CORE exam must be fully passed, or candidates must have passing scores in at least three sections, in order to be eligible for a district contract, in accordance with the TExES test approval process.
- THE STR can be taken during the first semester of Teacher Residency.
- The PPR Exam can be waived under the successful completion of Teacher Residency Enhanced Certificate.
- Must Follow Teacher Residency Testing Roadmap if selected.
We encourage you to connect with your OEPA Specialist for guidance and preparation so you can take your exam as soon as you are ready.
Background check and social security number
- All candidates must undergo a criminal background check prior to being placed in a school district. Effective August 2015, candidates attempting to be fingerprinted using a non-valid 9-digit Social Security number will not be allowed to complete the fingerprinting process, which is required for the background check and necessary for teacher certification in Texas. Districts will not be able to move forward without fingerprinting, background checks, and a valid social security number from the candidate.
District Required Trainings Notice
- Yearlong Clinical Teaching Residency residents are required to attend trainings, if mandated by the district partners. Teacher Residents are required to attend summer trainings.
GPA and Academic Coursework Grades
- Minimum of 2.5 GPA in each area of degree plan (i.e., major, minor/specialization, professional education) and
- Minimum of 2.5 GPA overall on degree plan;
Residency Coursework
- EDCI 4331 -Clinical Teaching Residency I
- EDCI 4332 -Clinical Teaching RESIDENCY II
- Residency courses will meet at the district site from 3:30 PM to 5:00 PM. Other dates may be required by instructor apart from the dates on the Residency Course syllabus.
- Teacher Residency does not extend your graduation term.
2025 - 2026 Academic Calendars
- Edcouch-Elsa ISD
- Harlingen CISD
- La Joya ISD
- Los Fresnos CISD
- Lyford CISD
- McAllen ISD
- Vanguard Academy
Yearlong Clinical Teaching Residency residents are to follow district academic calendars.
First Semester
- Teacher residents are required to attend 3 full days a week to the assigned school (Monday, Tuesday, Friday) and 2 days are designated to complete UTRGV courses and requirements.
Second Semester
- Teacher residents are required to attend 4 full days a week to the assigned school (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday Friday) and 1 day is designated to complete UTRGV courses and requirements.