Welcome to OEPA
The Office of Educator Preparation and Accountability is dedicated to managing and overseeing all aspects of admissions to the educator preparation program, certification exams, and teacher certification processes. Our role is crucial in shaping the future of education by ensuring that aspiring teachers are well-prepared and fully certified to lead in the classroom.
Our primary goal is to support your success and development, fostering your growth into effective, certified teachers who are ready to make a meaningful impact in the world of education.
Educator Preparation Program
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) offers a rigorous, university-based teacher certification curriculum developed to produce exemplary teacher leaders for the Rio Grande Valley, the nation and beyond.
In coordination with undergraduate academic programs, field experiences and clinical teaching leading to teacher certification are planned and delivered through the Office of Educator Preparation and Accountability. The State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) and Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) have approved the content and procedures of these curricula. Students pursuing degrees with teacher certification are encouraged to initiate and maintain contact with the Office of Educator Preparation and Accountability to stay informed about certification changes, updates, and requirements.
Calendar
| Due dates for EPP Undergraduate Admission Application | |
|---|---|
| Spring Semester for Fall Admission | |
| Application opens | 2nd Monday of March Monday, March 10, 2025 |
| Application closes | Last Friday of April Friday, April 25, 2025 |
| Schedule for Teacher Orientation | |
|---|---|
| Fall 2024 | |
| Edinburg | Tuesday, August 20, 2024 9:00 AM - 12:15 PM CST |
| Brownsville | Thursday, August 22, 2024 9:00 AM - 12:15 PM CST |
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Spring 2025 |
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| Edinburg | Monday, December 2, 2024 3:00 PM CST |
| Brownsville | Tuesday, December 3, 2024 3:00 PM CST |
Review our approval process to find out about deadlines and requirements.
Review the 2025 Schedule to register for a TExES Representative Exam session.
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Visit the Office of Field Experiences website to review the Clinical Teaching program deadlines and requirements.
Additional Resources
The applicant can submit a Preliminary Criminal Background Evaluation .
Pursuant to the Texas Education Code (TEC), §22.083, candidates must undergo criminal history background check prior to employment as an educator. Pursuant to the TEC, §22.0835, candidates must undergo a criminal history background check prior to clinical teaching.
As required by Texas HB1508, applicants need to be aware of the following.
- To receive certification in Texas, you must pass a criminal history background check.
- If you have been convicted of an offense that is considered not appropriate for an educator, you could be ineligible to earn this certification from the state of Texas.
- You have a right to request a preliminary criminal history evaluation letter from the Texas Education Agency prior to admission into this program. The Texas Education Agency currently charges a $50 fee for this criminal history evaluation.
In accordance with 19 TAC 228.35 (a)(5), and in alignment with organizational transfer credit policies , UTRGV’s College of Education and P-16 Integration may accept military service, training, or education toward the fulfillment of program requirements. Military service, training, or education must be directly related to the certificate being sought and may not take the place of certification examinations. Service, training, or education may not count as part of an internship, clinical teaching, or practicum requirement and must be provided by an approved Educator Preparation Program or accredited institution of higher education within the past five years.
19 TAC §228.35 (a)(5)(B), Candidates who are not military service members or military veterans to substitute prior or ongoing service, training, or education, provided that the experience, education, or training is not also counted as a part of the internship, clinical teaching, or practicum requirements, was provided by an approved EPP or an accredited institution of higher education within the past five years, and is directly related to the certificate being sought.
The Educator Preparation Program (EPP) at the UTRGV is grateful for the investment and sacrifice of our military service members and veterans.
The program and curricula have been designed to effectively prepare candidates to be successful on certification examinations and in the profession. A review of military service, training, or education can be requested by contacting the Director of Educator Preparation and Accountability.
Any coursework credit considerations must include the following parameters, which have been developed in accordance with Texas Administrative Code (19 TAC 228.35 and 19 TAC 234) and under the discretion of the EPP:
- Training or education must have been received within the last five years;
- Training or education must be directly tied to the grade level/content area of the certification being sought;
- There must be strong evidence that any credit considerations would be a replacement for the instruction/content and that candidate performance on certification examinations or professional experiences would not be negatively impacted;
- Certification exams may not be waived or credited;
- Field-based experiences (30-hours) cannot be waived or credited unless the candidate has experiences as a long-term substitute as outlined in 19 TAC 228.35(e)(1)(C);
- A full day clinical teaching assignment up to 5 full days fewer (or up to 10 half days fewer for half-day assignments) than the minimum requirement if due to military leave may be permitted based on 19 TAC 228.35(e)(2)(A)(iv); and
- An internship of up to 30 school days fewer than the minimum if due to military leave may be permitted based on 19 TAC 228.35(e)(2)(B)(i).
Additional considerations can be made for our military service members and military veterans on a case-by-case basis. Final determination will be communicated to the candidate by the Director of Educator Preparation and Accountability.
A $35 TEA technology fee is assessed at admission to a program leading to educator certification.
Teacher Certification Program (TCP) fee
A $45 fee is assessed to all students pursuing a degree leading to initial teacher certification every semester to offset teacher certification costs.