A Structured Path to a New Career

We welcome applicants who have earned their degree outside of the United States! If you completed your education at an international college or university, please review the requirements below. 
 

College Transcripts 

Submit official transcripts from every college or university you have attended. 

• You may upload unofficial transcripts during the application process so we can begin reviewing your eligibility. 
• Official transcripts are required before you can be formally admitted into the program, as required by Texas law. 
• We gladly accept electronic transcripts when they are sent directly from your institution. 

Foreign Transcript Evaluation 

If your degree was earned outside of the United States, your transcripts must be evaluated by a Texas Education Agency (TEA) approved credential evaluation service. 

Your evaluation must include: 

• A course-by-course evaluation 
• Letter grades (or grade equivalents) 
• Semester credit hour equivalents 
• A cumulative GPA 

Important: When you contact the evaluation company, let them know that you are applying to a Texas educator certification program so they complete the correct type of evaluation. 
 

English Language Proficiency (TOEFL iBT) 
If your degree was earned in a country where English is not the official language, you must submit passing TOEFL iBT scores. 

Minimum required scores are: 

• Speaking: 24 
• Listening: 22 
• Reading: 22 
• Writing: 21 

Applicants who earned their degree in a country where English is the official language, as defined by the Texas Administrative Code, are not required to submit TOEFL iBT scores. 

Helpful Resources 

• TEA-Approved Foreign Credential Evaluation Providers 
  • Certification Based on Credentials from Another Country | Texas Education Agency 
• Register for the TOEFL iBT 
  • ETS TOEFL Registration 
  • TOEFL iBT Test Registration 

Need Help? 
International transcript evaluations and certification requirements can seem overwhelming, but we're here to help. If you have questions about your transcripts, degree evaluation, or English language requirements, our Admissions team is happy to guide you through each step. 

No. Prior classroom teaching experience is not required to apply to the HCDE Center for Educator Success Educator Preparation Program (EPP). 

Many of our candidates come from careers in business, healthcare, military service, engineering, nonprofit organizations, and other professional fields. We also welcome recent college graduates. 

Our admissions team will review your academic background and help determine the pathway that best fits your goals. 
 

Texas requires educator preparation candidates to have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5, or a 2.5 GPA in the last 60 semester credit hours completed. 

However, state rules allow Educator Preparation Programs to admit a limited number of candidates who do not meet the GPA requirement if additional admission criteria are met. 

If your GPA is below 2.5, don't assume you are ineligible. Our admissions team will evaluate your transcript and determine whether you qualify under the flexibility provisions allowed by TEA. 

Submit an Interest Form, and we'll gladly review your individual situation.

Certification testing is completed throughout the program, but all required content certification exams must be passed before a candidate may be recommended for an internship certificate. 

For most candidates, this means: 

• Begin exam preparation soon after admission.  
• Participate in HCDE's structured test preparation.  
• Complete diagnostic assessments and practice testing.  
• Receive testing approval from your advisor.  
• Pass the required content examination(s) before beginning your paid internship.  

Some certification areas also require additional examinations such as: 

• Science of Teaching Reading (STR)  
• English as a Second Language (ESL) 
• Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities (PPR), during the internship year.  

Our program provides individualized coaching, study plans, tutoring, practice exams, and testing readiness support to help candidates succeed. 

Yes. The internship is a full-time, paid teaching position with a Texas school district or approved educational setting. 

Unlike traditional student teaching, candidates employed under an Internship Certificate serve as the teacher of record while receiving ongoing coaching and support from both: 

• An HCDE field supervisor, and  
• A trained campus mentor.  

 Internships generally last one full academic year and allow candidates to earn a salary while completing certification requirements. 

Please note that obtaining an internship position is contingent upon: 

• Successful admission into the program,  
• Passing required certification examinations,  
• Completing required coursework and field-based experiences,  
• Meeting district hiring requirements. 

Both pathways lead to the same Texas Standard Teaching Certificate and meet the same rigorous TEA standards. The primary differences are how coursework is delivered. 

Traditional Pathway 
Ideal for candidates who prefer: 

• In-person instruction  
• Weekly scheduled classes  
• Collaborative learning with peers  
• Consistent instructor interaction  

Hybrid Pathway 
Designed for working professionals who need additional flexibility through: 

• Online self-paced coursework  
• Five scheduled in-person sessions  
• Live virtual support via chat 
• Independent pacing within established program deadlines  

Regardless of the pathway selected, every candidate receives: 

• Dedicated advisor support  
• Certification exam preparation  
• Field supervision  
• Classroom observations  
• Mentor collaboration  
• Personalized coaching throughout the certification process 

Most candidates complete the program within 14–16 months, although individual timelines vary. 

Factors that influence completion include: 

• Completion of field-based experiences 
• Completion of required coursework 
• How quickly certification exams are passed  
• Employment in an internship position  
• Successful completion of internship requirements  

Candidates who pass exams early and secure teaching positions quickly often complete certification sooner. 

Our advisors work closely with every candidate to develop an individualized certification plan that keeps them on track.

Our goal is to help every prospective educator understand the pathway toward certification. 

If you are not admitted, we will provide individualized guidance explaining what requirements still need to be met. Depending on your situation, recommendations may include: 

• Completing additional college coursework  
• Improving GPA eligibility  
• Demonstrating content readiness  
• Submitting missing documentation  
• Meeting admission requirements under TEA guidelines  
• Exploring future cohort opportunities  

Many applicants who are not initially eligible successfully gain admission after completing the recommended next steps. Our admissions team is committed to helping you develop a clear plan toward becoming a certified Texas educator. 

Yes. Candidates currently enrolled in another Texas-approved Educator Preparation Program may be eligible to transfer to HCDE. 

Transfer candidates are evaluated individually to determine: 

• Completed coursework  
• Field-based experience hours  
• Certification testing status  
• Program progress  
• Eligibility under TEA requirements  

 Official documentation from your current program is required before transfer can be considered. 

Not necessarily. HCDE maintains strong partnerships with numerous Texas school districts and works to connect qualified candidates with employment opportunities. 

While candidates are encouraged to apply for positions independently, our team provides support through: 

• District hiring events  
• Resume guidance  
• Interview preparation  
• Partner district connections

Employment decisions ultimately remain with the hiring school district. 

Field-Based Experiences (FBEs) provide candidates with meaningful opportunities to observe and participate in authentic classroom instruction before serving as the teacher of record. 

Texas requires candidates to complete a minimum of 50 clock hours of field-based experiences, including observation and interactive instructional activities in approved educational settings prior to internship. 

HCDE provides structured opportunities and guidance to help candidates successfully complete these required experiences. 

A Statement of Eligibility (SOE) is issued when a candidate has successfully met all program requirements necessary to begin an internship. 

At HCDE, candidates must typically complete the following milestones before an SOE is issued: 

• Minimum of 150 hours of required pre-service coursework  
• Minimum of 50 hours of required field-based experiences (FBEs) 
• Passing required content certification examination(s)  
• All admissions and compliance requirements  

Once these requirements are verified, the SOE is provided so candidates may be recommended for an Internship Certificate upon employment. 

HCDE believes certification should never be a journey completed alone. 

Every candidate receives comprehensive support including: 

• Coursework & Professional development 
• A dedicated Certification Advisor  
• Personalized certification planning  
• Certification exam preparation and tutoring  
• Practice testing and readiness assessments  
• Instructional coaching  
• Field supervision  
• Mentor collaboration  
• Employment support and district connections  
• Ongoing communication from admission through Standard Certification  

Our goal is not simply to prepare candidates to pass certification exams—but to develop confident, highly effective educators who are ready to make a lasting impact in Texas classrooms.