Admission Requirements
The following information must be submitted when applying for entrance to the Alternative Certification Program:
- A completed online application for admittance to the Braniff Graduate School and University of Dallas Educator Preparation Program.
- Statement of Purpose (a personal statement addressing why you want to be a teacher)
- Writing sample
- Two letters of recommendation (The Education Department uses a recommendation form. Please contact the Education Department to obtain.)
- All official college transcripts sent directly to the Braniff Graduate Office and the Certification Officer in the Department of Education from each college or university attended by the applicant (even if no credit or degree was earned). Applicants must have at least a 2.75 GPA, verifiable by their transcripts. They must also have a Bachelor’s Degree with a minimum overall GPA of 2.75 and 2.75 in teaching field courses. (For Core Subjects EC-6 courses in English, Math, Science, Social Studies (History/Politics/Economics) and Fine Arts (Art/Music/Theatre Arts, Health & Physical Education) are used to calculate the grade point average in the teaching field courses.
- Candidates must have earned a minimum of 12 hours in core subjects: English, Math, Science, Social Studies (History/Politics/Economics), and Fine Arts (Art, Music, Theatre Arts, Health, or Physical Education) or complete a total of 24 hours in teaching field, 18 hours of which are upper division coursework.
- Pass the Pre-Admission Content Test (PACT) through a Texas Education Agency (TEA) approved testing vendor.
International Student Applicants: A foreign credential evaluator that has been recognized by the State of Texas must evaluate all foreign transcripts. In addition, all student applicants whose native language is not English or who did not complete an undergraduate degree in the United States must submit a score report from the TOEFL. The minimum score, effective October 22, 2017, in Speaking of 24, in Listening of 22, in Reading of 22, and in Writing of 22 (within 2 years from date of testing) is also a requirement for issuance of a probationary certificate and for a standard certificate. All scores must not be older than two years.
Students may pursue one of the two certificate options:
A. Elementary (EC-6) Teacher Certification (24 credit hours required):
Students seeking the Elementary Teacher Certificate are required to complete the following course:
Courses:
| PHI 5326 | Philosophy of Education | 3 |
| EDU 5343 | Elementary Principles of Teaching, Learning, and Assessment | 3 |
| EDU 5344 | Literacy, Instruction, Assessment, and Practice | 3 |
| EDU 5377 | Human Growth and Development | 3 |
| EDU 6327 | Elementary Math and Science Teaching and Practice | 3 |
| EDU 6350 | Instructional Strategies Across the Curriculum | 3 |
| | |
| EDU 5379 | Internship in Education | 3 |
| Or | |
| EDU 5380 | Internship in Education | 3 |
B. Secondary (7-12) Teacher Certification (24 credit hours required):
Students seeking Secondary Teacher Certificate are required to complete the following courses:
Courses:
C. Master of Arts in Teaching (30 credit hours required)
A Master of Arts in Teaching (30 credit hours required) may be earned by students successfully completing two Education elective courses in addition to the required Alternative Certification coursework.