The mission of the College of Education is to prepare education professionals to provide excellent service to schools and other youth-serving agencies; to demonstrate by example the highest quality of teaching and professional service; and to engage in scholarly activity that will generate new knowledge about key educational issues, especially those impacting multicultural communities. All programs of study in the College of Education are based on established educational research and essential knowledge of sound professional practice. All programs in the College are approved by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.

A doctoral degree in Education (EdD) degree is offered in Educational Leadership and a PhD degree in Teaching, Learning, and Culture is offered in Teacher Education. Graduate degree programs offered by the College of Education include a Master of Arts degree in Education and the Master of Education degree. The Master of Education degree option is a non-thesis program that offers students an opportunity to gain an increased depth and breadth in education through graduate-level coursework, and a comprehensive exam. The Master of Arts option is designed for students interested in conducting a research-based thesis or capstone project project in addition to coursework.  Graduate courses are offered through three departments: Educational Leadership and Foundations, Educational Psychology and Special Services, and Teacher Education. Students should see the Graduate Advisor in the appropriate department.

It is also possible for students to take post-baccalaureate coursework leading to certification by the State Board for Educator Certification as Professional School Supervisor, Professional Principal, Professional School Superintendent, Professional School Counselor, all-levels Reading Specialist. Professional certification for classroom teachers can also be earned. 

In addition, the College of Education, in partnership with local area school districts, offers an Alternative Teacher Certification Program. In this program, candidates teach full time in an elementary or secondary public school and complete summer and evening coursework toward initial (provisional) teacher certification in Texas.

Individuals seeking information about teacher certification in Texas should contact the College of Education's Center for Student Success, Education 412.

Professional Certifications

Professional certification is available in the following areas: Principal, Superintendent and Supervisor (Educational Leadership and Foundations Department), Educational Diagnostician, School Counselor, and Special Education Counselor (Educational Psychology and Special Services Department) and All-levels Reading Specialist (Teacher Education Department).

All post-baccalaureate students are required to maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.50. Students whose cumulative GPA drops below 2.50 are placed on academic probation and have nine (9) semester hours in which to return the GPA to 2.50 or higher. Failure to do so will result in dismissal from the University.

Graduate-level coursework completed during the certification program that has not been used to meet other degree requirements can be recommended by the departmental Graduate Advisor to the Graduate School to count toward an advanced degree under certain circumstances. These courses are limited to a maximum of nine (9) semester hours in which a grade of B or higher has been earned within the time limits and other restrictions detailed in this Graduate Catalog.

Additional information on certification programs is available from the Certification Office within the College of Education and the Graduate School.

Teacher Residency Alternative Certification Program (ACP)

UTEP's Teacher Residency Alternative Certification Program (ACP), conducted in partnership with local school districts, is available to candidates with  bachelor's degree seeking initial certification to teach in PK-12 classrooms.

The program involves five intensive practice-focused courses designed to prepare teacher candidates for success in their own classrooms from day one.

• The first three courses (TED 5302, TED 5310, and RED 5341/5342) provide the foundations of curriculum design and planning, effective instruction, classroom management, and literacy.
• The final two courses, Teaching Residency I (TED 5320) and Teaching Residency II (TED 5321), represents a two-part on-site clinical teaching sequence. In the Teaching Residency, teacher candidates engage in hands-on learning and practice in a PK-12 classroom, with intensive, on-site mentoring and coaching from faculty. In TED 5320/5321, teacher candidates can be either instructor of record with a probationary certificate (Resident Intern) or can be placed with a Mentor Teacher (Resident Apprentice).

Degree Plan

As part of the Teacher Residency Alternative Certification Program, teacher candidates also complete additional preparation requirements for certification, including 30 field-based hours
prior to the residency sequence and supplemental professional development workshops throughout the program.

Admissions Requirements

• Baccalaureate degree from accredited institution
• Cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher, or minimum 2.75 GPA in last 60 hours of coursework
• Successful completion of the Pre-Admission Content Test (PACT) for certification area
• International students: Successful completion of the TOEFL
• Completion of the ACP application process

Certification Areas

Elementary & Middle Grades

• Core Subjects EC-6
• Core Subjects 4-8 
• English Language Arts and Reading 4-8
• English Language Arts and Reading/Social Studies 4-8
• Mathematics 4-8 
• Mathematics/Science 4-8 
• Bilingual Education Supplemental (Spanish)
• ESL Supplemental

Secondary Education

• Business Education 6-12 
• Dance 8-12 
• English Language Arts and Reading 7-12
• History 7-12 
• Journalism 7-12
• Life Science 7-12 
• Mathematics 7-12 
• Physical Science 6-12 
• Physics/Mathematics 7-12
• Physical Science 6-12
• Science 7-12
• Social Studies 7-12
• Speech 7-12

All-Levels Education

• Art EC-12
• Health EC-12
• LOTE: French EC-12
• LOTE: German EC-12
• LOTE: Spanish EC-12
• Music EC-12
• Physical Education EC-12
• Special Education EC-12
• Theatre EC-12
   

Note: The State of Texas is in the process of changing areas and prerequisite testing requirements. Commensurate with these state requirements, ACP certification areas can be subject to change.

Dean 

Dr. Clifton Tanabe 

Associate Dean

Dr. Beverly Argus-Calvo

Dr. Erika Mein

College of Education (Dean's Office)

College of Education

The University of Texas at El Paso
Education Building, Room 414
500 W University
El Paso, Texas 79902

E: education@utep.edu
P: (915) 747-5572
F: (915) 747-5755

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