This information is for CTX undergraduate students pursuing a bachelor's degree in education.
Prospective students who would like information about the College of Education should contact admissions@concordia.edu.
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Important Dates
Benchmarks
All Benchmark documentation and requirements are due in Blackboard Learn by Friday of the 4th week of each Spring and Fall Semester and the first week of Summer Semester.
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Program Admission & Benchmark Information
The College of Education at Concordia University Texas takes preparation of teachers seriously; therefore, there are several benchmarks along the path toward graduation to make sure teacher candidates are successfully progressing toward graduation and certification.
Benchmark requirements are due the end of the fourth week of each fall and spring semester and the end of the first week of summer semester. Benchmarks are then processed by the College of Education in November, March and May.
All benchmark documents, including applications and recommendation forms, are found in the Certification Preparation course in Blackboard Learn (BBLearn).
The benchmark requirements, except recommendations, are submitted to BBL in the Certification Preparation course. Teacher candidates should be sure they have enrolled in their certification group in the BBLearn course- Certification Preparation.
Benchmarks by Year (PDF)
Benchmark 1 and 2 Process (PDF)
Benchmark 3 and 4 Process (PDF)
Admission into the College of Education (Benchmark 1)
WHEN SHOULD I APPLY?
Benchmark applications are due the fourth week of each fall and spring semester and first week of summer semester. Students will apply the semester after completing Introduction to Education. (This will be Spring semester for most traditional first year teacher candidates.) Transfer teacher candidates who are transferring credits for Introduction to Education should apply their first semester at Concordia University Texas. Teacher candidates must have a cumulative GPA of 2.75 to be admitted to the College of Education.
WHAT SHOULD I DO?
- Log into the Certification Preparation course in BBLearn and enroll in your correct certification group through the Join Your Program. All information for Benchmark 1 will be under the Benchmark 1 link.
- Read through the Teacher Education Handbook, including the Code of Ethics.
- Complete Admission to the College of Education application using the link found in Certification Preparation course in BBLearn.
- Write a 500-word essay, which meets or exceeds standards on the rubric provided in the Certification Preparation course, to the following writing prompt: My Philosophy of Education.
- Submit your 240 Tutoring Diagnostic Test Report(s) for Content (all subtests if Core Content) showing 50% or better in each subject area or showing less than 50% in each subject area plus completion of 50% of the tutorials for each subject area below 50%. (All diagnostic and practice exams must be completed in a monitored/proctored setting. Check the Important Dates tab for exam dates or contact your advisor for more information.)
- Make sure DegreeWorks (in MyInfo) has your correct major/specialization. If it does not, contact Student Central.
WHO WILL REVIEW MY SUBMISSION/APPLICATION?
Benchmark applications and required materials are reviewed by the College of Education Teacher Education Faculty.
HOW WILL I KNOW IF I AM APPROVED TO CONTINUE TOWARD TEACHER CERTIFICATION?
Teacher candidates will receive an email via DocuSign with a letter informing them of their acceptance or denial for that benchmark. Teacher candidates will read and sign the letter(s) as directed in the email. Failure to follow the stated instructions will nullify a letter of acceptance. Students who are denied will be informed of the decision and any steps they may need to take if they choose to continue on a certification path and wish to be eligible at the next application window. Denied applications must be completed again and resubmitted.
HOW WILL I PREPARE FOR MY CERTIFICATION EXAMS?
All teacher candidates must pass one or more designated content exams and the Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities (PPR) exam (or equivalent state approved performance exam) to earn their initial Texas certification and will be preparing for these exams throughout their program. Candidates are encouraged to make practical applications of their content knowledge as they progress through their content and education courses, knowing that they will be expected to retain the information they are learning in all of their classes for the exams. Candidates are also encouraged to familiarize themselves with the design and content of the exams outlined in the Preparation Manuals on the Pearson website. In addition, during EDU 4101-Teacher Ed Seminar, students will identify and address gaps prior to being released to take the state exams.
Helpful study resources can be found on the CTX College of Education Website: https://www.concordia.edu/academics/college-of-education/texas-certification.html
Admission into the Teacher Education Program (Benchmark 2)
WHEN SHOULD I APPLY?
Benchmark applications are due the fourth week of each fall and spring semester and the first week of summer semester. Students will complete the application process when they have met the criteria listed below, usually during the spring semester of their second year. Transfer students may apply during their first semester at Concordia University Texas, if they are transferring credits for Introduction to Education. Benchmark 1 and 2 may be applied for simultaneously if all requirements and criteria for both benchmarks have been met. Students must be accepted to Benchmark 1 in order to be accepted into Benchmark 2.
CRITERIA
- Successfully completed (or transferred) EDU 2201 Introduction to Education
- Cumulative GPA of 2.75, including any courses transferred into CTX from another college or university
- Completed ENG 1317, ENG 1316, MTH 1351 or be exempt from their Basic Skills requirements.
- Completed a minimum of 12 credit hours (or 15 credit hours in STEM certifications) in the content area that corresponds with the chosen certification program with at least a 2.75 GPA for these credit hours.
- Achieve 65% or better overall on single subject content area exams or 65% or better on all subtests for core content exams. All practice exams must be completed in a CTX monitored setting. Check the Important Dates tab for monitored exam dates or contact your advisor for more information.
- Be in good standing with the university, including approval and recommendation by the College of Education faculty and the Associate Vice President of Student Development .
WHAT SHOULD I DO?
- Complete the Admission to the Teacher Education Program application using the link found in the Certification Preparation course in BBL.
- Schedule and participate in a professional interview with College of Education faculty.
- Interview dates and times will be posted each semester in the Certification Preparation course in BBLearn.
- Submit Fieldwork Time Log/Evaluation and Reflections from Introduction to Education according to directions listed in the Certification Preparation course in BBLearn. All documents must be uploaded in PDF format.
- Secure two recommendations from faculty members for admission to the Teacher Education Program
as follows:
- Choose one content professor (Math, Science, History, English, etc.), from the college of your concentration/content area, and one College of Education faculty member from whom you have taken a class.
- Locate the form on the College of Education website or in BBLearn and send it to the selected professors asking them to complete and submit it via email to teacher.education@concordia.edu.
- Submit a Practice Test Report from 240 Tutoring showing 65% or better overall on single subject content area exams or 65% or better on all subtests for core content exams. All qualifying practice exams must be completed in a CTX monitored setting. Check the Important Dates tab for monitored exam dates or contact your advisor for more information.
WHO WILL REVIEW MY SUBMISSION/APPLICATION?
Benchmark applications and required materials are reviewed by the College of Education Teacher Education Faculty.
A list of all Benchmark 2 applicants will also be sent to the Associate Vice President of Student Development for review and approval.
HOW WILL I KNOW IF I AM APPROVED TO CONTINUE TOWARD TEACHER CERTIFICATION?
Students will receive an email via DocuSign with a letter informing them of their acceptance or denial for that benchmark. Students who are accepted will read and sign their letter(s) according to the specified directions in the letter(s) and will then officially become teacher candidates. Failure to follow the instructions in the acceptance letter will nullify a letter and students will not be registered as candidates.
Students who are denied will be informed of the decision and any steps they may need to take if they choose to continue on a certification path and wish to be eligible at the next application window. Denied applications will must be completed again and resubmitted.
Admission to Practicum Two (Benchmark 3)
WHEN SHOULD I APPLY?
Benchmark three is completed during Teacher Ed Seminar and Practicum I. Applications are due the 4th week of the enrolled semester.
Teacher candidates will initially be accepted contingently. In order to be fully admitted into benchmark three and be eligible for Practicum II and clinical teaching, teacher candidates must complete the remaining requirements by the end of the Practicum I semester. Teacher candidates must also have a cumulative and content GPA of 2.75 and be in good standing with the university.
WHAT SHOULD I DO?
By the fourth week of the semester, for contingent admission:
- Complete the Admission to Practicum II application using the link found in the Certification Preparation course in BBLearn.
- Be enrolled in EDU 4101 and Practicum I (Spring Practicum).
- Submit Practicum I contract to the Certification Preparation course in BBLearn.
- Submit a Practice Test Report from 240 Tutoring showing 75% or better overall on single subject content area exams or 75% or better on all subtests for core content exams. All qualifying practice exams must be completed in a CTX monitored setting. Check the Important Dates tab for monitored exam dates or contact your advisor for more information.
By the end of the semester, for full acceptance:
- Submit the test release forms for both the Content and PPR exams to the Certification
Preparation course in BBLearn. Your EDU 4101 professor will release you to test once
you've met the following requirements:
- PPR with a 85% or better
- Content area with a 85% overall on single subject content area exams or 85% or better on all subtests for core content exams
- All qualifying practice exams must be completed in a CTX monitored setting.
- Successfully complete all Practicum I courses, including fieldwork hours, and EDU 4101.
- Submit Practicum I fieldwork documentation to the Certification Preparation Course
in BBL:
- Time log (Minimums: 45 hours for 4-8 and Content Curriculum; 60 hours for Core Subjects EC-6)
- Formal observations (minimum of 1 per Practicum I course)
- Cooperating teacher evaluation
- Reflections for Practicum I, including reflection on first 15-day video (All reflections must be in one document and saved as a PDF)
WHO WILL REVIEW MY SUBMISSION/APPLICATION?
Benchmark applications and required materials are reviewed by the College of Education Teacher Education Faculty.
A list of all benchmark 3 applicants will be sent over to the Associate Vice President of Student Development for review and approval.
HOW WILL I KNOW IF I AM APPROVED TO CONTINUE TOWARD TEACHER CERTIFICATION?
Teacher candidates will receive an email via DocuSign with a letter informing them of their contingent acceptance or denial for that benchmark. Teacher candidates who are accepted will read and sign their letter(s) according to the specified directions. Failure to follow the stated instructions will nullify a letter of acceptance. Teacher candidates will be fully accepted and receive an updated acceptance letter once they have successfully completed Practicum I and the remaining benchmark three requirements.
WHAT IF I AM NOT ACCEPTED?
Teacher candidates who are not accepted to Practicum II will be advised to meet with their academic advisor(s) to determine their next steps.
Admission into the Professional Semester (Benchmark 4)
WHEN SHOULD I APPLY?
Benchmark applications are due the fourth week of each fall and spring semester. Teacher candidates will apply the semester prior to clinical teaching, during the second practicum.
Teacher candidates will initially be accepted contingently. In order to be fully admitted into benchmark four and be eligible for clinical teaching, teacher candidates must complete the remaining requirements. Teacher candidates must also have a cumulative and content GPA of 2.75 and be in good standing with the university.
WHAT SHOULD I DO?
By the fourth week of the semester, for contingent acceptance:
- Complete Admission to Clinical Teaching application using the link found in the Certification Preparation course in BBLearn.
- Submit the Practicum II contract to the Certification Preparation course in BBLearn.
- Submit training certificates for all required trainings (completed during EDU 4101):
- Dyslexia
- Educator Ethics
- Suicide Awareness and Prevention
- Substance Abuse
- Mental Health
- Submit copies of registration or exam score reports for TExES content and PPR exams.
- Have successfully completed at least 24 credit hours in your content area, with a content area GPA of at least 2.75
By the end of the semester, for full acceptance:
- Successfully complete all Practicum II courses, including fieldwork hours.
- Submit Practicum II fieldwork documentation to the Certification Course in BBLearn:
- Time log (Minimums: 45 hours for 4-8 and Content Curriculum; 80 hours for Core Subjects EC-6)
- Formal observations (minimum of 1 per Practicum II course)
- Cooperating teacher evaluation
- Reflections for Practicum II (All reflections must be in one document and saved as a PDF)
- Successfully complete all coursework required for degree completion other than Clinical Teaching.
- Pass TExES exams
- Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities EC-12 (PPR) (all certification areas)
- Content exam (all certification areas)
- Submit the Test Release Form for the Science of Teaching Reading (STR) exam if required (EC-6 and 4-8 Core Subjects; ELAR 4-8 and ELAR/SS 4-8 only). In order to be released for the STR exam you must score 85% or better overall. All qualifying practice exams must be completed in a CTX monitored setting.
WHO WILL REVIEW MY SUBMISSION/APPLICATION?
Benchmark applications and required materials are reviewed by the College of Education Teacher Education Faculty.
A list of all Clinical Teaching applicants will be sent over to the Associate Vice President of Student Development for review and approval.
HOW WILL I KNOW IF I AM APPROVED TO CONTINUE TOWARD TEACHER CERTIFICATION?
Teacher candidates will receive an email via DocuSign with a letter informing them of their contingent acceptance or denial for that benchmark. Teacher candidates who are contingently accepted will read and sign their letter(s) according to the specified directions. Failure to follow the instructions will nullify a letter of acceptance. Teacher candidates will be fully accepted once they have successfully completed Practicum II and the remaining benchmark 4 requirements.
WHAT IF I AM NOT ACCEPTED?
Candidates failing to complete any outstanding components and be accepted to benchmark 4 and clinical teaching prior to the deadline to request placements will not be assigned a clinical teaching placement. Teacher candidates who are not accepted into the Professional Semester will be advised to meet with their academic advisor(s) to determine their next steps.
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Handbooks
- Teacher Education Handbook (PDF)
- Clinical Teaching Handbook (PDF)
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Practicum Fieldwork
These forms are for students currently enrolled in the Practicum/Methods courses only.
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Clinical Teaching/Residency
These resources are for students currently enrolled in Clinical Teaching (EDU 41200) and their University Supervisors and Cooperating Teachers. If you are not currently enrolled in this course and need information about clinical teaching, please contact your advisor.
Students Enrolled in a Clinical Teaching Course
All assignments and resources for students enrolled in Clinical Teaching can be found in the appropriate Blackboard (BB) course. Many forms are electronic and will be sent via email. Once completed by all parties, forms must be submitted into the BBL course by the dates referenced in the Clinical Teaching Checklist.
University Field Supervisors & Cooperating Teachers
Please read the Clinical Teaching Handbook and use the forms provided through Dynamic Forms, in the Clinical Teaching course in BB and on this page throughout the Clinical Teaching Experience. All forms must be completed by the deadlines referenced in the Clinical Teaching Checklist and submitted to BB by the student.
- 2023-2024 Clinical Teaching Orientation Slides
- Fall 2023 Clinical Teaching Checklist
- Fall 2023 Teacher Residency Checklist
- Spring 2024 Clinical Teaching Checklist
- Observation Coaching Form (PDF) - To be completed throughout the week by the cooperating teacher
- Teaching the Faith Evaluation form (PDF) - To be used for LTD/CTD students only
- T-TESS Appraiser Sample Conferencing Questions
- Intervention Plan - If an intervention plan is necessary, please contact Professor Carol Trovall
- Verification of Permission to Record
- Videotape Consent form
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Pi Lambda Theta
Pi Lambda Theta is one of the nations most prestigious education honor societies. If you are a senior or a graduate student, have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or above, and are planning to pursue a career in education, you're eligible to join. All you have to do is fill out the short application at pilambda.org/join.