Educator Preparation Programs
The University of Texas at Austin offers state and Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) approved teacher preparation programs. The College of Education works with students across campus so that they can become certified teachers in early childhood, elementary, middle and high school classrooms. We also have programs that prepare students for administrative and other support roles in schools.
Our teacher preparation programs, accredited by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) for the last 15 years, are available to everyone regardless of where you are in your academic career. We offer paths to certification for undergraduates, post-baccalaureates, graduate students and working professionals.
Bachelor’s with Teacher Preparation
Special Education • Pre-K – 12th Grade
Prepare to become TEA-certified to teach children with disabilities including those with autism spectrum disorder, behavioral disorders, mild to moderate disabilities and severe and/or multiple disabilities. Students will learn how to create inclusive classrooms that allow for the development of all learners and will work toward becoming a certified special education (Early Childhood-12th grade) and general elementary teacher (Early Childhood-6th Grade).
Elementary Bilingual Education • Pre-K – 6th Grade
Learn how to provide equal educational opportunities for children with limited English proficiency as an Early Childhood-6th Grade Bilingual Education teacher. In addition to learning the fundamentals of early childhood education, students will be prepared to earn TEA certification to teach elementary students in both Spanish and English. Fluency in Spanish is required.
Elementary Generalist • Pre-K – 6th Grade
Students will learn the fundamentals of teaching and learning while helping students develop social and emotional skills as they prepare for the TEA certification exams to be an Early Childhood-6th Grade English as a Second Language (ESL) Generalist. Students will be guided as an ESL teacher to accommodate children from diverse backgrounds and who may not be native English speakers.
Youth and Community Studies • All Ages
Youth and Community Studies (YCS) prepares students to teach people of all ages in various settings in and beyond the classroom. In addition to learning how to extend children’s education and development into other areas of their lives, this major offers a pathway to English language arts or social studies teacher certification at the secondary level.
STEM Subjects • 7th – 12th Grade
Students interested in teaching Science, Technology, Engineering or Math (STEM) subjects at the secondary level can enroll in the interdisciplinary UTeach Program offered by the university. Students in the program will take educator preparation courses through the College of Education while pursuing a major in the College of Natural Sciences.
Fine Arts • Pre-K – 12th Grade
Students interested in becoming an art, music, theatre or dance teacher can major in the subject area in the College of Fine Arts and complete a teacher preparation program in UTeach Art, UTeach Dance, UTeach Music or UTeach Theatre. Fine Arts teachers are certified to teach Early Childhood – 12th grade.
Liberal Arts • 7th – 12th Grade
UTeach-Liberal Arts is a professional secondary teacher preparation program housed in the College of Liberal Arts for UT Austin undergraduate and post-baccalaureate students planning to teach English, languages other than English, social studies or history at the middle and high school levels.
Minor in Education with Teacher Preparation
English Language Arts or Social Studies • 7th – 12th Grade
The University of Texas Urban Teachers program prepares middle and high school English Language Arts and social studies teachers to instruct in linguistically and culturally diverse classrooms.
Master’s Programs with Teacher Preparation
M.A. in STEM Education • 7th – 12th Grade
STEM Education’s GradUTeach program is for students seeking certification to teach math or science in high school as part of their graduate education.
M.Ed. + English Language Arts • 7th – 12th Grade
The University of Texas Urban Teachers program offers a pathway to certification via the Language and Literacy Studies Master’s in Education program that is designed to develop the knowledge and skills needed to teach English Language Arts in linguistically and culturally diverse urban settings in 15 months.
M.Ed. + Social Studies • 7th – 12th Grade
The University of Texas Urban Teachers program offers a pathway to certification via the Language and Literacy Studies Master’s in Education program that is designed to develop the knowledge and skills needed to teach Social Studies in linguistically and culturally diverse urban settings in 15 months.
Professional/Administrator Education Programs
Teacher Leadership, Mentoring, and Professional Development • M.Ed.
Designed for current Austin-area teachers, students in the Teacher Leadership, Mentoring, and Professional Development (TLMPD) program work directly with preservice teachers enrolled in the preservice teacher preparation program at The University of Texas in a Literacy Specialization cohort.
Texas Principal Leadership Academy • M.Ed.
Recognized by TEA for preparing graduates for long-term success, the Texas Principal Leadership Academy will put students on a challenging and highly rewarding career path as they strive to make schools more equitable for all children. Students will earn a Master of Education degree (M.Ed.) to pursue a career in school leadership. As part of the nationally-ranked Department of Educational Leadership and Policy, the program will transform educators into reform-minded, culturally responsive, data-savvy and instructional school leaders for public schools.
Cooperative Superintendency Program • Ed.D.
Our top-ranked Cooperative Superintendency Ed.D. Program is at the forefront of preparing executive-level educational leaders. This program combines traditional coursework, independently-directed research and varied field-based internships with mentor superintendents under the supervision of clinical professors with proven executive leadership experience. These opportunities provide a rich balance to theory and practice and develop executive-level decision-making skills. All candidates must have principal certification and principal experience or its equivalent.
Certificate Programs
English Language Arts • 7th – 12th Grade • Stackable Graduate Certificate
The University of Texas Urban Teachers program prepares future middle and high school English Language Arts teachers in linguistically and culturally diverse urban settings.
Learning, Equity, Action, and Design (LEAD) Stackable Graduate Certificate
The Learning, Equity, Action, and Design (LEAD) Stackable Graduate Certificate, designed for degree- and non-degree-seekers alike, is a sequence of four online courses (12 credit hours) that build teacher leaders who will advocate for equity in digital learning/literacy in K-12 classrooms, schools, districts, homes and community venues.
Standard School Librarian Certificate
The School of Information currently offers the Standard School Librarian Certificate developed by the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) for the certification of public school librarians in Texas. This program prepares the holder for work at all levels of public education in Texas, from kindergarten through high school.
Post-baccalaureate Programs with Teacher Preparation
Elementary Bilingual Education • Pre-K – 6th Grade
Learn how to provide equal educational opportunities for children with limited English proficiency. In addition to learning the fundamentals of early childhood education, you will be prepared to teach early childhood concepts to elementary students in both Spanish and English. Fluency in Spanish is required.
A new program plan will be available soon.
Elementary Generalist • Pre-K – 6th Grade
Become a certified teacher for elementary children. Learn the fundamentals of teaching and learning while aiding students’ development of social and emotional skills. ESL teachers are thoroughly trained to accommodate children from diverse backgrounds who may not be native English speakers.
A new program plan will be available soon.
Longhorns in Residence • Pre-K – 6th Grade
Longhorns in Residence is a one-year graduate certificate and teacher preparation program designed for individuals who have already earned a bachelor’s degree and are now interested in teaching.
English Language Arts • 7th – 12th Grade
This 18-hour program managed by the University of Texas Urban Teachers program offers a pathway to certification for English Language Arts teacher candidates who already have a bachelor’s degree
Social Studies • 7th – 12th Grade
This 18-hour program managed by the University of Texas Urban Teachers program offers a pathway to certification for social studies teacher candidates who already have a bachelor’s degree.
