The Professional Development Sequence For Future Teachers

The Professional Development Sequence (PDS) is a teacher preparation program that includes
  • Coursework
  • Pre-student teaching field experiences and observations
  • Student teaching
  • Seminars and career tools

The PDS length and requirements vary by teacher certification, and the PDS is an additional requirement to your major. Upon successful completion of the PDS, you will be recommended for certification to teach in Texas.

The PDS application runs from February 1 to March 1 for fall entry and September 1 to October 1 for spring entry. 

Apply to the PDS

You must apply during the long semester prior to entering the program. Admission to the PDS is dependent upon meeting the required GPA and successful completion of prerequisite coursework. All students entering the PDS must also have access to a laptop.

College of Education Teacher Preparation Programs

  • Early Childhood-6th English as a Second Language/Core Subjects Generalist

    The EC – 6 ESL/Core Subject /Generalist program is designed for students seeking Texas certification to teach in elementary school classrooms, with a focus on learning theory, elementary school content, ESL, and teaching methods.

    Length: 3 semesters (Intern I, Intern II, Student Teacher)

    Starts: Summer, Fall, and Spring

    PDS Application Periods: February 1 to March 1 (Fall) or September 1 to October 1 (Spring)

    PDS Admission Requirements

    • A completed application by the stated deadlines,
    • minimum 2.5 GPA in the last 60 hours taken,
    • completion of prerequisite coursework (M 316K and all major coursework on the degree plan with a minimum grade of “C” or above), and
    • selection by an admissions committee.

    The PDS is an intensive program that requires specific prerequisites before applying. Please view the degree plan for the sequence of courses you will take.

    If you already have completed a bachelor’s degree, you can become a certified teacher through our traditional EC-6 Core Subjects/Generalist program as a non-degree seeker.

     

  • Early Childhood-6th Core Subjects/Generalist, Bilingual Education

    The EC – 6th grade Core Subjects/Generalist, Bilingual Education Teacher Certificate Program is designed for students seeking Texas certification to teach in a general elementary classroom or a bilingual classroom. This program focuses on teaching Spanish-speaking children, and fluency in Spanish is required.

    Length: 3 semesters (Intern I, Intern II, Student Teacher)

    Starts: Spring only

    PDS Application Periods: September 1 to October 1

    PDS Admission Requirements

    Please note this program also requires the successful application to and completion of a foundations semester before entering the PDS.

    • minimum 2.5 GPA in the last 60 hours taken,
    • completion of prerequisite coursework with a minimum grade of “C” or above (M 316K and all major coursework), and
    • selection by an admissions committee.

    The PDS is an intensive program that requires specific prerequisites before applying. Please view the degree plan for the sequence of courses you will take.

    If you already have completed a bachelor’s degree, you can become a certified teacher through our traditional EC-6 Core Subjects/Generalist Bilingual Education program as a non-degree seeker.

     

  • Special Education

    The All-Level (Early Childhood-12th grade) Special Education Teacher Certification Program (SED) is designed to prepare prospective educators to teach in a variety of settings. Teachers learn to educate individuals with disabilities including children and youth with mild to moderate disabilities, as well those with severe and/or multiple disabilities.

    Length: 4 semesters (Intern I, Intern II, Intern III, Student Teacher)

    Starts: Fall only

    PDS Application Period: February 1 to March 1

    Program Requirements

    The PDS is an intensive program that requires specific prerequisites before applying. Please view the degree plan for the sequence of courses you will take.

    Please note this program also requires the successful application to and completion of a foundations semester before entering the PDS.

    The Special Education PDS only begins in the fall semester and lasts four semesters. PDS admission requirements include:

    • minimum 2.5 GPA in the last 60 hours taken,
    • completion of prerequisite coursework (M 316K), and
    • selection by an admissions committee.

    If you already have completed a bachelor’s degree, you can become a certified teacher through our traditional All-Level Special Education program as a non-degree seeker.

  • University of Texas Urban Teachers (Bachelor, Master Degrees in English Language Arts, Social Studies)

    English Language Arts (ELAR) Undergraduate

    Secondary English teacher certification is now offered through the University of Texas Urban Teachers (UTUT) Program in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction. ELAR teacher candidates will develop the knowledge, skills, and dispositions to support teaching and learning in linguistically and culturally diverse urban settings.

    Program: Required Courses

    Length: 3 semesters (Intern I, Intern II, Student Teacher)

    Starts: Students enter the summer before their senior year

    PDS Application Period: January 15 to February 15

    Master of Education Degree Program with Secondary English Language Arts (ELAR) Teacher Certification

    This degree is tailored for students holding a bachelor’s degree in ELAR or other Humanities disciplines and seeking secondary English teacher certification. ELAR teacher candidates will develop the knowledge, skills, and dispositions to support teaching and learning in linguistically and culturally diverse urban settings.

    Length: 3 semesters (Intern I, Intern II, Student Teacher)

    Only one additional semester of coursework is required to complete the master’s degree after completing the PDS.

    Starts: Fall only

    PDS Application Period: Apply to the PDS after first being accepted into the graduate program in Curriculum and Instruction

    Social Studies Undergraduate

    Social studies teacher candidates will develop the knowledge, skills, and dispositions to support teaching and learning in linguistically and culturally diverse urban settings.

    Program: Required Courses

    Length: 3 semesters (Intern I, Intern II, Student Teacher)

    Starts: Students enter the summer before their senior year

    PDS Application Period: January 15 to February 15

    Master of Education Degree Program with Secondary Social Studies Teacher Certification

    This degree is tailored for students holding a bachelor’s degree in the social studies disciplines and seeking secondary Social Studies teacher certification. Social studies teacher education candidates develop the knowledge, skills, and dispositions to support teaching and learning in linguistically and culturally diverse urban settings.

    Length: 3 semesters (Intern I, Intern II, Student Teacher)

    Starts: Fall

    PDS Application Period: Apply to the PDS after first being accepted into the graduate program in Curriculum and Instruction

    Youth and Community Studies with Teacher Certification

    You also have the option to major in Youth and Community Studies while pursuing teacher certification in either English Language Arts or Social Studies. YCS majors will complete the University of Texas Urban Teachers professional development sequence.

     

PDS Timeline Example – EC-6 Generalist

Teacher Preparation Programs in Other Colleges

The length, starting semesters, and application periods below refer to the part that is tracked by the College of Education in order to recommend students for teacher certification.  If you are interested in teacher certification in one of these areas, you should contact the appropriate advising office: 

You may be required to submit a separate application for the college of your choice prior to submitting a PDS application to the College of Education.

Become a Teacher

Undergraduate Students