Both EPCC and UTEP have programs that will help you receive your teaching qualifications. These programs also allow credit transfers so you can preserve as many relevant credits as possible. Both programs offer opportunities to do in-school training concurrently with your coursework and certifications. Both EPCC and UTEP have advisors that can help, so make an appointment to get personalized support.

I am a student at EPCC, and I am interested in teaching…

If you attend EPCC and want to become a teacher, you should pursue an Associate of Arts in Teaching (AAT) Degree. This degree in Early Childhood-6th Grade, 4th-8th Grade, or Early Childhood-12th Grade Special Education is fully transferable to all Texas public universities. That means you can complete your first 60 credit hours at UTEP and then transfer to UTEP to finish your bachelor’s degree, which includes a hands-on teaching residency. A Bachelor’s Degree is required for Teacher Certification to be awarded. 

Just remember that in order to transfer, you will be required to meet all entrance requirements of the receiving university and the educator preparation program, including GPA and/or testing requirements. 

I am a student at UTEP, and I am interested in teaching…

Elementary or Middle School (Early Childhood-6th Grade or 4th-8th Grade):

If you know you want to become an elementary or middle school teacher, you would enroll in the College of Education. The UTEP College of Education offers a Bachelor of Science in Education (BSED) for individuals who wish to become early childhood/elementary, middle school, or all-level special education Texas certified teachers.

7th-12th Grade:

If you want to teach in 7th-12th grade (Secondary Education), you would enroll in the college that has the major in the content area you want to teach and minor in Secondary Education in the College of Education. For example, if you want to teach High School English, you would enroll in the College of Liberal Arts, major in English, and minor in Secondary Education from the College of Education. 

All Grade Levels (Art, Health, Language, Music, Theater & PE): 

If you want to teach Art, Health, Spanish, French, Music, Theater, or PE in any grade level, you would enroll in the college that has the major in the content area you want to teach and minor in Secondary Education in the College of Education. For example, if you want to teach music, you would enroll in the College of Liberal Arts, major in Music, and minor in Secondary Education from the College of Education. 

UTEP has a training program that will prepare you for success as a teacher. UTEP’s Miner Teacher Residency is a one-of-a-kind training program that takes place over the course of a year. It pairs you with a highly effective teacher and mentor so that you are trained by the best and are ready to start your career as a teacher when you graduate. Much like a doctor gets hands-on training during their medical residency, future teachers in El Paso will now get the same. And to top it off, residents are paid by the district where they train, and they are enrolled in the Texas Teacher Retirement System for that year! 

You can find out everything you need to know about UTEP’s College of Education HERE.