Become a Certified Texas Educator

Have you always wanted to be a teacher? Are you looking to change careers? Are you wondering about a second career after retirement?

McMurry University’s FasTrack Certification program provides an express-education option to get you teaching in a classroom quicker. Two format options are available to fit your lifestyle: online or face-to-face classrooms. With minimal admission requirements, you can avoid delays getting your new career started.

Admission Requirements

  • Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university with a minimum 2.75 GPA.
  • Official transcripts from all accredited colleges or universities you attended.

FasTrack Options

  1. Admittance to McMurry University as a Transfer Student.
    Apply to McMurry University as a transfer student. On the application, check “No” on the first question that states: “Have you attended McMurry University as a full-time, degree-seeking student previously?”
  2. Speak with FasTrack Director.
    Schedule a time to speak with the FasTrack director to discuss options for certification and course work required for the Face-to-Face courses.  There is more flexibility of starting date when choosing this route. There are two options- 2 long semesters or 1 summer of three sessions. IN discussions with the FasTrack director, you will learn how to take the Pre-Admission Content Test (PACT). This is a certification test in your subject area. This test is used for admission into the Educator Preparation Program (EPP).Though TExES Test preparation materials is useful in preparation for PACT tests, the preservice teacher should be sure that they have registered for the correct test. The FasTrack director can help with this information as we do not certify in all content areas that are available for testing.
  3. Apply and be admitted to the FasTrack program.
    Once you have passed your PACT test, there are a few forms that are required to be filled out and returned before admittance. Successful completion of the PACT test in the area of certification and a minimum of 2.75 is required.
  4. Coursework and observations
    Once a student is admitted to the program, coursework may begin.
  5. Clinical Teaching or Internship
    During Methods and Managements and Planning, Curriculum, and Assessment courses, candidates will be given information as to how to apply for clinical teaching or the internship.
  6. Certification Application
    Once the candidate has completed ALL course work and successfully completed either clinical teaching or a one year internship, he or she must apply for the standard teaching certificate on the SBEC website. Once a candidate has completed these items, paid the fee for the certificate, and passed a criminal background check, McMurry will recommend that candidate for certification.

Disclaimer: All requirements and conditions for admission to the teacher education program or for certification are subject to change by the Texas Education Agency and/or the State Board for Educator Certification.

More Information

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  1. Apply to McMurry University
  2. Complete the FasTrack Zero Course
    In this course, you will learn how to take the Pre-Admission Content Test (PACT). This is a certification test in your subject area. This test is used for admission into the Educator Preparation Program (EPP).  Although the content of the PACT tests is the same as the TExES Tests, only those who are not in a program can take a PACT test. These tests may be taken and must be passed before anyone can join the FasTrack Program. Though TExES Test preparation materials is useful in preparation for PACT tests, the preservice teacher should be sure that they have registered for the correct test. The FasTrack director can help with this information as we do not certify in all content areas that are available for testing.
  3. Complete the McMurry Virtual Campus Orientation for Online Learning
  4. Apply and be admitted to the FasTrack program.
    There are a few forms that are required to be filled out and returned before admittance. Successful completion of the PACT test in the area of certification and a minimum of 2.75 is required. The FasTrack director will provide the candidate with a certification plan.
  5. Coursework and observations
    Once a student is admitted to the program, coursework may begin. There are three sessions to be taken each lasting seven weeks. In addition to these courses, candidates must complete 15 hours of video observations and 30 hours in a public school classroom. Candidates must observe in the grade level and content area where certification is desired. These observations and other verification of hours and reflections are all included in one course. These hours must be completed before student teaching or the internship. Certification coursework is as follows:
    Session One:
    -Theories of Learning
    -Inclusive Classroom Session Two:
    -Planning, Curriculum, and Assessment
    -Methods and Management Session Three:
    -Teaching Disciplinary Literacy
    -Special Learners
  6. Student Teaching or Internship
    During Session Two, candidates will be given information as to how to apply for student teaching or the internship. If a candidate chooses to student teach, they will enroll in six hours (one semester long) and requires an additional one-hour seminar course. Clinical teaching will last 14 weeks. Applications for student teaching and other information will be shared in the Session Two courses. If a candidate secures an internship, he or she should contact the FasTrack director for additional steps that may not be in the Session Two courses. In order to obtain an internship, the candidate must pass the Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities (PPR)certification test.  Approval must be given in order to register for this test. The FasTrack director or Certification Officer will explain which type of certificate is needed and other paperwork must be completed before the internship may begin. An internship requires enrollment in a three-hour course in two consecutive semesters. Lease be advised that the term internship, in this case, means that the candidate has passed all certification tests and been offered a teaching position in the area of certification by a public or other TEA approved school district.
  7. Certification Application
    Once the candidate has completed ALL course work and successfully completed either clinical teaching or a one year internship, he or she must apply for the standard teaching certificate on the SBEC website. Once a candidate has completed these items, paid the fee for the certificate, and passed a criminal background check, McMurry will recommend that candidate for certification.

Disclaimer: All requirements and conditions for admission to the teacher education program or for certification are subject to change by the Texas Education Agency and/or the State Board for Educator Certification.

 Apply Now