Secondary Teacher Certification

Begin your rewarding career as a secondary teacher! The application deadline for the 24-25 school year is March 28, 2024.

Become A Certified Secondary Teacher

Becoming a secondary teacher means you are preparing to guide students through some of the most critical stages in their development as young adults. In addition to building relationships with students, you are teaching content that you are passionate about and enjoy making engaging. As a member of the Secondary program, you will be inspired and challenged by working with other educators who also want to provide the most inspiring learning experiences for all students.

Our Secondary Certification Program is appropriately rigorous in preparing you for the reality of teaching. Our dedicated staff trains and supports participants seeking Secondary (grades 6-12) certification. Our 17-month certification process includes:

  • test preparation
  • state-based training
  • current instructional practices for special education educators

Secondary Certification Options

Middle Level

The middle level certification area will allow a participant to teach various subject areas in grades 4-8. Subject areas include math, science, social studies, and English language arts and reading.

Secondary Level

The secondary level certification area will allow a participant to teach various subject areas in grades 7-12, including math, science, social studies, and English language arts and reading.

All Level

The all level certification area will allow a participant to teach various subject areas in Early Childhood (EC) through grade 12. Subject areas include art, physical education, dance, music, theatre, and languages other than English (LOTE).

Certification Options

View all the certification options available through ECP

Program Requirements

Bachelor's Degree

Candidates must have a degree earned from and conferred by an accredited institution of higher education.

Min 2.5 Grade Point Average

Minimum 2.5 GPA on all coursework or 2.75 in the last 60 semester hours of completed coursework.

Official College Transcripts

Request your official transcripts be sent to the ECP office.

Content Area Proficiency

Candidates must meet the content area proficiency requirements specific to their program.

Application

Complete our online application with all required documents.

Requirements

View your content area's specific certification requirements

Curriculum

Our certification program curriculum is aligned with Texas Education Agency standards and educational best practices.  All curriculum is taught by certified staff and content area experts.

Training

About 2/3 of our classes are face-to-face and 1/3 of our classes are online. Participants employed by schools within the Region 13 service area, as well as those from schools within a 100-mile radius of Austin, attend classes at the Education Service Center Region 13 in Austin.

Participants will be required to attend training that will continue to build on instruction learned during pre-service training. 

In addition to the pre-service training, Secondary participants will receive training specific to their certification program which includes:
  • delivering engaging instruction
  • integrating content specific strategies into lesson design
  • developing and using student assessments
  • understanding student diversity and instructional differentiation
  • preparing for formal classroom observations
  • preparing for TExES PPR exam
  • preparing for TExES content exams
  • implementing Marzano’s high yield strategies
  • developing and using a variety of questioning strategies
  • integrating the core principles from The Fundamental Five

Technology

In the Secondary certification program, technology is an integral part of curriculum and instruction. Our program emphasizes:
  • incorporating the effective use of current technology in instruction
  • evaluating students’ technologically produced products and projects
  • utilizing technology applications in problem-solving situations and project-based learning activities
  • using developmentally appropriate instructional practices, activities, and materials to integrate the Technology Applications TEKS into the curriculum
  • managing technology platforms to increase communication with student families on academic and behavior progress

What’s Next?

Info Sessions

Find out more about our programs by attending one of our info sessions.

Apply

Complete our online application and take the first step in becoming a fully certified teacher.