A semester prior to projected clinical teaching semester (fall or spring), teacher candidates must apply for clinical teaching. The Office of Field Based Experiences is responsible for reviewing applications in the order of submission. The office will facilitate placement with our district partners, and coordinate supervision according to TEA guidelines. Facilitating placement for each teacher candidate does not ensure admission into clinical teaching but is essential to complete for a successful transition into the clinical teaching program. Please consult with your advisor to discuss your academic plan and anticipated graduation date to determine if you are eligible to apply.
Apply via Tk20 by application deadlines.
| Due dates for Clinical Teaching Application | |
|---|---|
| Fall Clinical Teaching | |
| Application opens | 1st Friday of April |
| Application closes | 1st Friday of May |
| Testing Requirements | 1st Friday of July |
|
Spring Clinical Teaching |
|
| Application opens | 1st Friday of September |
| Application closes | 1st Friday of October |
| Testing Requirements | 3rd Friday of November |
GPA and Academic Coursework Grades
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Field Experiences
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Degree Plan Completion
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Other Program Requirements
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| TExES Passing Scores Requirement by Deadline All Level-Secondary Programs |
||
| TExES Scores Due by the 1st Friday of July (Friday, July 4, 2025). | ||
| Program | Requires PPR | Requires Content |
| Art (Grades EC-12) * | Yes | No |
| Chemistry (Grades 7-12) | Yes | Yes |
| Dance (Grades 6-12) * | Yes | No |
| English Language Arts and Reading (Grades 7-12) | Yes | Yes |
| English Language Arts and Reading (Grades 4-8) | Yes | Yes |
| Health (Grades EC-12) * | Yes | No |
| History (Grades 7-12) | Yes | Yes |
| Journalism (Grades 7-12) * | Yes | No |
| Languages Other Than English - Spanish (Grades EC-12) * | Yes | Yes |
| Life Science (Grades 7-12) | Yes | Yes |
| Mathematics (Grades 4-8) | Yes | Yes |
| Mathematics (Grades 7-12) | Yes | Yes |
| Mathematics/Science (Grades 4-8) | Yes | Yes |
| Music (Grades EC-12) | Yes | Yes |
| Physical Education (Grades EC-12) | Yes | Yes |
| Physical Science (Grades 6-12) | Yes | Yes |
| Physics/Mathematics (Grades 7-12) | Yes | Yes |
| Science (Grades 4-8) | Yes | Yes |
| Science (Grades 7-12) | Yes | Yes |
| Social Studies (Grades 7-12) | Yes | Yes |
| Speech (Grades 7-12) * | Yes | No |
| Theatre (Grades EC-12) * | Yes | No |
| * PPR AND Content Required to obtain teacher certification.. | ||
| TExES Passing Scores Requirement by Deadline EC-6 and EC-3 Programs |
||
| TExES Scores Due by the 1st Friday of July (Friday, July 4, 2025). | ||
| Program | Requires PPR or STR | Requires Core |
| Bilingual Education (Grades EC-6) | Yes | Yes |
| Early Care and Early Childhood (Grades EC-3) | Yes | Yes |
| English as a Second Language (Grades EC-6) | Yes | Yes |
| Special Education (Grades EC-6) | Yes | Yes |
| * All Elementary, EC-3 Early Childhood and English 4-8 majors ONLY (STR TExES examination not required for clinical teaching but is required for teacher certification). | ||
Appeal Traditional Clinical Teaching Admission Decision
Students who enter The College of Education and P-16 Integration (CEP) at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley diligently fulfill all requirements necessary to be recommended for a teaching certificate immediately after graduation. It is expected that CEP students will make every effort to complete all requirements necessary to be admitted into the clinical teaching program the semester before the teacher candidate plans to teach. However, in rare circumstances, students may encounter extenuating situations beyond their control that prevent them from completing these requirements by the prescribed timeframe. When extenuating situations like this arise and affect the student’s completion of admission requirements to the clinical teaching program, students may appeal the denial of their clinical teaching admission decision in accordance with the requirements set forth below.
Below are examples of what may be considered “extenuating situations” for purposes of appealing a clinical teaching admission decision.
- An unexpected severe illness or debilitating condition that affects the student’s ability to satisfactorily complete a course or one of the required certification exams within the required timeframe.
- A death in the student’s immediate family that affects the student’s ability to satisfactorily complete a course or one of the required certification exams within the required timeframe.
- Active-duty service as a member of the Texas National Guard or the Armed Forces of the United States that affects the student’s ability to satisfactorily complete a course or one of the required certification exams within the required timeframe.
- The student’s responsibility for the care of a sick, injured, or elderly immediate family member only if the provision of that care affects the student’s ability to satisfactorily complete coursework or required certification exams within the required timeframe.
Other unforeseen extenuating situations may be considered by the Office of Field Experiences (OFE) on a case-by-case basis with supporting documentation.
For appeals of clinical teaching application decisions to be considered the following requirements must be met:
- Student has obtained at least one passing score for one of the required certification exams with documented evidence by the time of this appeal.
AND
- Student agrees to engage with the Office of Educator Preparation and Accountability (OEPA) and commit to follow a documented study plan and take and pass any missing exam(s) before completing clinical teaching.
It is important that you submit evidence to support your appeal. The deadline to submit an appeal is 10 calendar days from the date of the clinical teaching admission decision. For Fall 2025, the due date to submit an appeal will be July 14, 2025. Incomplete appeals, including those without supporting evidence, and appeals submitted after the appeal deadline are invalid and will not be reviewed by OFE.
IMPORTANT:
- Appeals submitted after the appeal deadline (for Fall 2025, the due date to submit an appeal will be July 14, 2025) will be automatically denied without further notice.
- It is important that you upload evidence to support your appeal.
- OFE will not contact doctors or other individuals on your behalf.
- It is the responsibility of the student to obtain the required evidence and upload documents to the Appeals Portal
- OFE may reach out to the student if clarification is needed after reviewing the appeal. Students may not communicate with the OFE regarding the appeal unless the OFE contacts the student directly.
- Appeals may not be submitted over the phone, by email, or in person.
- Appeals decisions by OFE and department chair are final.
- Appeals do not guarantee acceptance into clinical teaching.
Appeal decisions will be communicated to you via your UTRGV email address within 15 business days from the date the appeal is submitted, excluding weekends and University holidays. The decision should be considered final and conclusive.
By clicking on “Submit Appeal”, you will be routed to our Appeals Portal, and you acknowledge that you have read and understand the appeal requirements above.