Program Information

Baccalaureate degrees are offered with or without certification in Interdisciplinary Studies (elementary), Secondary certification (grades 8-12) and ALL Level certification (grades PreK-12).  Programs leading to baccalaureate degrees with certification are State Board for Educator Certification approved and are designed to prepare students for initial certification and teaching in elementary and/or secondary schools.  Effective September 2009, the state’s elementary certification will certify teacher candidates in early childhood through sixth grades (EC-6).  The UIW program will transition to this certification level and as of the 2010-2011 academic year, all elementary candidates will apply for the EC-6 certification.

NOTE:  Students seeking certification from the University of the Incarnate Word’s Teacher Preparation Program will be subject to any additional or new requirements, which may be set forth by legislative mandates or by the State Board for Educator Certification.

Under the direction of the Dreeben School of Education faculty, students can prepare for initial certification and teaching at the elementary level (Interdisciplinary Studies), secondary level (major with certification), or for all-level certification in specified content areas (major with certification).  All IDS majors will complete a minor in reading and a minor in special education as required for the degree.  Secondary and all-level certification candidates have the option of completing the reading and/or special education minors.  See advisor for details.

At present, the University of the Incarnate Word offers certification in the following areas and at the following levels. 

(Other fields may be available in the future.)

Interdisciplinary Studies (IDS)

IDS is an EC-6 teaching program resulting in certification for pre-kindergarten through sixth grade.  A student following this course of study will take the general education core, the Interdisciplinary Studies major, specialization coursework in reading and special education, pre-professional courses, and the professional development sequence.  Students completing the IDS major will also meet the requirements for a minor in reading and special education.  Upon successful completion of both the program and applicable TExES examinations, the student will be eligible to apply for state certification to teach self-contained EC- sixth grade classes.

Secondary Education

A secondary teaching program resulting in certification for eighth through twelfth grades is available.  A student following this course of study will take the general education core coursework in a major (teaching field) and a minor in Secondary Education (pre-professional courses, and the professional development sequence).  Secondary Education minors are also eligible to enroll in special education coursework and/or complete the optional special education minor.

Upon successful completion of both the program and applicable TExES examinations, the student will be eligible to apply for state certification to teach eighth through twelfth grades within their specialization field(s).

The following teaching fields are available for secondary certification:

English Language Arts/Reading, History, Life Science (Biology), Mathematics, and Physical Science (Chemistry)

Students pursuing English Language Arts/Reading certification must also take specified reading courses in addition to the secondary education requirements.

All-Level Education

ALVT is an all-level teaching program resulting in certification for pre-kindergarten through the twelfth grade.  A student will earn a B.A., B.M., or B.S., depending on the specialization chosen.  A student following this course of study will take the general education secondary core, specialization coursework, and a minor in ALL Level Education (pre-professional courses and the professional development sequence).  Upon successful completion of both the program and applicable TExES examinations, the student will be eligible to apply for state certification to teach elementary through high school level students within their chosen field of study. 

The following teaching fields are available for all-level certification:

Art, Music, Physical Education, Spanish, and Theatre Arts