Program Requirements

To enter the program and enroll in UTL 101 (Introduction to the Teaching Profession) and UTL 202 (Introduction to Teaching in the Middle School):

• Successful admission to the UTeach-Liberal Arts Post-Baccalaureate program
• Attend mandatory UTeach-LA New Student Orientation*
• Competence in major or certification area, and
• SSP score for those students seeking Spanish certification**
• Prepare to purchase your laptop per the Laptop Initiative for Future Educators (LIFE)***

To enroll in UTL 303 (Teaching in the High School) and EDC 370S (Advanced Methods):

• Maintain overall GPA of 3.00, and GPA of 3.00 in your certification area,
• Grade of at least B in both UTL 101 and UTL 202, and
• Successful admission into the Professional Development Sequence (PDS)
  
• SSP score for those students seeking Spanish certification**
• Have your laptop per the Laptop Initiative for Future Educators (LIFE)***

To enroll in EDC 650S (Secondary School Teaching Practicum), and EDC 350S (Practicum Seminar):

• Maintain overall GPA of 3.00, and GPA of 3.00 in your certification area,
• Grade of at least B in both UTL 303 and EDC 370S, and
• Successful evidence of language proficiency in written and oral experiences at UT and in field-based experience
• SSP score for those students seeking Spanish certification**

If either your overall GPA or certification area GPA does not meet the above stated requirement, you must raise it to the required level before continuing in the program.

*New Student Orientation
Required for all incoming UTeach-Liberal Arts students
UTL 101 students are required to attend the New Student Orientation at the beginning of the UTL 101 semester.  Dates vary per semester.  Your UTL 101 instructor and a UTeach advisor will notify you of the date.

**SSP – Spanish Screening Procedure
Required for students seeking Spanish certification
The Spanish Screening Procedure is a screening test for oral proficiency in Spanish.  The test evaluates the level of your speaking ability using the scale developed by the American Council of Teachers of Foreign Languages (ACTFL).  The SSP is similar to the Texas Oral Proficiency Test (TOPT), which is the state certification exam required for secondary Spanish certification.  A score of 4 is needed on the SSP to be eligible for the TOPT.  A score of 6 is required on the TOPT to be certified to teach Spanish in Texas.  By taking the SSP early and frequently, you will know if you need to study abroad to raise your SSP score.  The SSP is required for future Spanish teachers enrolled in UTL 101, 202, 303, and EDC 370S.  Contact Mary L. Diehl if you have questions about the SSP.

***Laptop Initiative for Future Educators (LIFE)
Required for all students entering the Professional Development Sequence
A Macintosh laptop computer is required beginning in UTL 303, and for the UTeach-Liberal Arts courses that follow. These laptops are available at a discount, and financial aid loan resources are available. Visit the College of Education LIFE webpage for more information.