Admissions Criteria

• Bachelor’s degree or enrolled in last semester of college
• 2.75 GPA in last 60 hours of coursework
• Specified coursework in certification content area sought. Refer to:
  TOPP Admission Requirements Testing University Coursework Handout

• Bachelor’s degree or enrolled in last semester of college
• Minimum 2.5 GPA overall or on the last 60 hours of coursework
• Pass TX-PACT (Pre-Admission Content Area Test)

• TX PACT content exams are not used for certification, and are not subject to the five-time limit.
• TX PACT content exam scores are valid for education preparation program (EPP) enrollment purposes for one calendar year.
• Exam fees for most TX PACT areas will be $106, and $56 for exams with subtests (e.g. American Sign Language and Essential Academic Skills, etc.) The Texas.gov fee will continue to be assessed.
• All testing candidates will need a TEA ID number before registering with Pearson. The Educator Certification Online System (ECOS) for Educators that is accessed through TEAL will provide a TEA ID. For help with TEAL account access, please enter a request to TEAL Access through the TEA Help Desk.
• If you have questions, please submit a ticket through the TEA Help Desk, or visit the Pearson Texas program website, www.tx.nesinc.com and click “Contact us.” 

• University to email electronic transcripts to [email protected]
• University to mail official sealed transcripts to:

• A minimum score of 27 is required for admission.

Foreign Credential Evaluation

If your degree is outside the United States, the Texas Education Agency (TEA) requires applicants to have a complete transcript review by a TEA approved Foreign Credential Evaluation Service.

Link: https://bit.ly/TEAForeignCredentials

Foreign Credential Service to send transcript evaluation to: 

English Language Proficiency Requirement

Applicants with degrees outside the U.S. are required to demonstrate English language proficiency by fulfilling one of the following requirements: 

• Completion of an undergraduate or graduate degree at an accredited institution of higher education in the United States, not including US Territories.
• Completion of an undergraduate or graduate degree earned at an institution of higher education in a country outside of the United States approved by the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC).
• Verification of minimum scaled scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language Internet-Based Test (TOEFL iBT).  Please use the ESC-20 TOPP Designated Institution Code: C012.  When scores are received by the applicant, please contact [email protected] 

• • a required performance of High-Intermediate level for each of the four sections of the TOEFL-iBT

• Transfer candidates must be in good standing with previous EPP.
• TOPP reserves the right to deny acceptance to applicants who were released from another EPP or Local Education Agency (LEA) for poor performance or conduct.
• Acceptance will be denied if applicant is considered a completer with previous program.
• Previous teacher certification exam testing history will be considered when making admissions decisions
• Candidate's current EPP must complete a Candidate Transfer Form.