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Handbook of Operating Procedures
  • Policy Process

    • Handbook of Operating Procedures
    Chapter 2 - Faculty and Academics
    Publication Date: March 26, 2012
    Responsible Executive: VP for Academic Affairs


    2.29 Teacher Certification Program Process

    This is not the current policy. For the latest, click here.

    I. POLICY STATEMENT

    All teacher certification programs are housed in the College of Education and Human Development (COEHD). All additions, changes, or deletions to a teacher certification program must be coordinated through the associate dean for teacher education to ensure that state requirements and approval procedures are followed, and that there is no duplication of programs.

    II. RATIONALE

    The preparation of teachers is a University-wide enterprise. It is necessary that all academic units involved in the preparation of teachers understand fully the teacher certification program process to ensure that The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) candidates for teacher certification are successful.

    III. SCOPE

    All colleges and departments involved in the preparation of K-12 teachers are subject to this policy.

    IV. WEBSITE ADDRESS FOR THIS POLICY

    http://www.utsa.edu/hop/chapter2/2-29.html

    V. RELATED STATUTES, POLICIES, REQUIREMENTS OR STANDARDS

    UTSA or UT System Policies or the Board of Regents' Rules & Regulations

    1. UTSA Inventory of Programs (THECB)

    Other Policies & Standards

    1. Texas Administrative Code Title 19 Part 7 State Board for Educator Certification
    2. Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board Glossary of Terms

    VI. CONTACTS

    If you have any questions about HOP policy 2.29, Teacher Certification Program Process , contact the following office(s):

    Office of the Associate Dean for Teacher Education, COEHD
    210-458-5818

    VII. DEFINITIONS

    Approved Program
    A grouping of courses represented as entitling a student to a degree or certificate, found in the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) Inventory of Approved Programs (in the context of this policy, a program entitling a student to a certificate for teaching at a level within K-12).

    Certificate
    A formal award issued by the State of Texas certifying the satisfactory completion of a postsecondary education program (in the context of this policy, for teacher preparation of a level within K-12).

    Program Revision
    The process by which an institution requests a change to an existing approved program.

    Proposal
    A proposal to create a new teacher education program or to modify or eliminate an existing teacher education program.

    Teacher Certification Program
    A THECB-approved collegiate degree program or post baccalaureate non-degree programs that leads to certification issued by the State of Texas as an instructor at a level within K-12.

    VIII. RESPONSIBILITIES

    1. Originator of Teacher Education Program Proposal or Program Revision
      1. Ensures that appropriate levels of review and approval are obtained, including initial review by the appropriate Academic Policy and Curriculum Committee (APCC), and the college dean.
    2. Dean of the college in which Proposal is initiated
      1. Reviews the Proposal and upon approval,
      2. Submits it to the dean of the COEHD and the associate dean for teacher education.
    3. Associate dean for teacher education
      1. Reviews Proposal and upon approval, submits it to the provost. 

    IX. PROCEDURES

    The State of Texas utilizes the “approved program” concept in its system of teacher certification that establishes the regulations and standards by which teachers are certified, approves colleges and University teaching programs, and issues teaching certificates to students who have successfully completed those programs. 

    1. The approved program concept imposes the following obligations on the part of the University:
      1. No program should be proposed for State approval, which the University is not prepared to support and maintain on a continuing basis.
      2. All courses required in each approved program must be offered so that students may complete the requirements without delay or undue hardship.
      3. Proposed additions, deletions, or modifications of certificate programs should be made in light of The University of Texas System (UT System) regulations, which specify that no course may be offered which is not listed in a current catalog.
      4. Changes in undergraduate and graduate certificate programs should be so controlled as to become effective as of the date of the proper catalog. A program shall not change in less than a two-year period.
      5. In the event of a program being dropped or modified, the University is obligated to protect all students then enrolled in the program by making it possible for the requirements to be completed in a reasonable amount of time as set forth in the approved program.
    2. New Programs, and Program Changes or Deletions
      1. All teacher certification programs are housed in the College of Education and Human Development and are the responsibility of the associate dean for teacher education.
      2. Anyone requesting a new Proposal or program changes or deletions should coordinate with the associate dean for teacher education before submitting the Proposal to their college or department's APCC and dean for approval.
      3. After approval by the APCC and the appropriate dean, the Proposal should be submitted to the dean of the COEHD and the associate dean for teacher education for approval.
      4. Proposals approved by the dean of the COEHD and the associate dean for teacher education must be submitted to the provost for final University approval.
    3. Student notification
      1. All students in a program subject to closure or deactivation by an approved Proposal must be notified, and no new students should be accepted as of the effective date.
      2. Students in a program modified by an approved Proposal must be notified of the specific changes, via the program's website, and provisions must be made so that students in progress are allowed to complete the program in a reasonable amount of time unhindered and without undue hardship.  

    X. SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR IMPLEMENTATION

    None

    XI. FORMS AND TOOLS/ONLINE PROCESSES

    None

    XII. APPENDIX

    None