With a strong economy and young, growing population, Texas offers teachers excellent opportunities. Statewide hiring rates for teachers outpaced attrition rates every academic year from 2012-13 through 2018-19, while enrollment in Texas public schools spiked by 13.3% between 2009-10 and 2019-20. These trends indicate ongoing demand for qualified educators and reinforce Texas as a highly desirable destination for teachers.
From a licensure standpoint, candidates enjoy accessible standards for teaching in Texas. The five-step licensing process begins with a bachelor's degree and a professional educator prep program. Candidates then take a standardized examination, and those who pass become eligible for the final stages, including a background check and a state licensing application.
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This guide covers everything aspiring educators need to know about how to get a teaching license in Texas. It also examines salary information, statewide trends in education, frequently asked questions, and other important things to know about launching your teaching career in the Lone Star State.
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Texas at a Glance
| Population | 29,087,070 |
|---|---|
| Per Capita Income | $32,267 |
| Full-Time Equivalent Teachers | 359,575.9 |
| Number of Public School Districts | 1,230 |
| Number of Public K-12 Schools | 8,905 |
| Number of Higher Learning Institutions | 106 |
| Climate | Average Annual Temperature: 64.8°F Annual Precipitation: 28.9 inches |
| Major Sports Teams | Dallas Cowboys, Houston Texans, San Antonio Spurs, Texas Rangers, Dallas Stars |
Top Texas Schools for Teaching
Texas A&M University
Southwestern Assemblies of God University
University of North Texas
The University of Texas at El Paso
Southwestern Adventist University
Wayland Baptist University
University of North Texas
Texas Tech University
University of Texas at Arlington
Abilene Christian University
Why Go to College for Education in Texas?
The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) indicates that 139 Texas institutions offer educator training programs, ranging from generalist degree paths to advanced and specialized study opportunities. This rich diversity reflects the state's status as one of the nation's leading destinations for teacher education.
Texas shines as a student lifestyle destination. Learners can live in exciting metro areas like Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio. They can also attend school in smaller, more relaxed cities and towns. Texas also offers budget-conscious degree-seekers significant cost of living advantages: in 2020, the state ranked 18th among 51 U.S. jurisdictions for affordability.
Online learning is also booming in Texas. A trend from before COVID-19 saw a whopping 86% increase in the number of Texas State University students taking online classes between 2015 and 2018, while the University of Texas at Austin saw an 81% increase during the same time frame. With distance education adoption rates rapidly rising across the state, online degree-seekers find it easier than ever to study in Texas.
Best of all, Texas remains well-positioned for long-term prosperity, both in general and specifically for teachers. The state's net migration rate soared as Texas welcomed about 3.7 million new residents between 2010 and 2019. Home prices rank among the most affordable in the country, and students in the K-12 age group account for more than one-quarter of the statewide population.
Postsecondary Education Statistics for Texas
More than 270 junior and senior colleges call Texas home, and the state allocates tax revenues to higher education at rates that exceed the national average by more than 34%. The state's recent online learning surge has propelled it to an above-average nationwide standing, helping drive improving educational attainment rates among adults over age 25.
| TX Data | National Data | |
|---|---|---|
| Number of Four-Year Colleges | 153 | 3,004 |
| Number of Two-Year Colleges | 119 | 1,579 |
| Percentage of Students Enrolled in Distance Education | 35.3% | 34.7% |
| Postsecondary Education Appropriations per Full-Time Student | $7,888 | $8,196 |
| Percent of Tax Revenue Allocated to Higher Education | 7.8% | 5.8% |
| Percentage of Adults Over 25 With an Associate Degree | 7.1% | 8.4% |
| Percentage of Adults Over 25 With a Bachelor's Degree | 19.1% | 19.4% |
| Percentage of Adults Over 25 With a Graduate Degree or Higher | 10.2% | 12.1% |
Sources: NCES, SHEEO, U.S. Census Bureau – American Community Survey
Accreditation for Texas Schools
Accreditation is a critical indicator of a higher education institution's quality. Aspiring educators looking at schools in Texas should only consider those that hold current, valid, and verifiable accreditation from a recognized national or regional agency.
National accreditation usually applies to schools that emphasize religious, vocational, or practical training. Teaching in Texas requires an academic degree, and regionally accredited schools focused on traditional scholastics offer most of the applicable programs. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges serves as the recognized regional accrediting body for the state of Texas.
A third form of accreditation, known as specialized or programmatic accreditation, applies to select degree paths that meet especially high standards. Experts widely consider the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) as the most important specialized accreditor of teacher training programs in the U.S. Candidates can also seek out schools that hold a prestigious NCATE endorsement.
Considerations for a Teaching Degree in Texas
The journey to becoming a licensed educator begins with choosing a teacher training program. Many factors influence this crucial choice, and the information in the sections that follow can help you decide whether Texas makes a good match for your educational and career objectives.
Teaching degree levels represent one major consideration, and learners with specific career goals should also consider specialized programs and degrees. Learning formats, financing, and other miscellaneous considerations may also shape your shortlist of potential schools.
Teaching Degree Levels
Teaching degrees come in four levels, beginning with associate and ascending to doctorate. As you explore schools, consider the degree levels offered.
The following breakdown explains the general characteristics of each degree level:
Associate Degree in Teaching
This introductory degree provides a strong, generalized foundation for further study by building student understanding of key educational and pedagogical theories and concepts. Full-time learners can usually complete an associate degree in about four semesters. Candidates need a higher degree to get a teaching certificate in Texas, but associate programs set up smooth, easy transfers into degree paths that qualify.
Bachelor's Degree in Teaching
Concentrations and specializations first become available at the bachelor's level. Popular examples include early childhood education, special education, and subject-specific education. Teaching in Texas requires at least a bachelor's degree, which most students complete in about four years. Candidates can apply to bachelor's programs straight out of high school or transition into them with advanced standing after completing an associate degree.
Master's Degree in Teaching
Ambitious learners seeking to maximize their career options tend to pursue master's degrees. They come in three main designations: master of arts in teaching (MAT), master of education (M.Ed.), and master of science in education (MS). MAT paths emphasize classroom-applicable pedagogical theory. M.Ed. programs prepare learners for careers in education administration, and MS degrees support roles in curriculum development, among other avenues.
Ph.D. in Teaching
Doctoral degrees represent the field's terminal level, and like master's degrees, educators may select from multiple designations with differing emphases. Ph.D. programs focus on education research and pedagogical theory rather than applied skills. Ed.D. degrees offer the opposite focus, and appeal primarily to professional practitioners and aspiring school administrators. Both designations demand at least three years of intensive study beyond the master's level.
What Grade or Subject Will You Want To Teach?
The subject you want to teach and the age groups you prefer to work with also shape your teacher education. Specialization options become available as early as the bachelor's level. The table that follows offers further information about study paths that lead to age-specific and subject-specific teaching opportunities.
Preschool teachers typically earn specialized degrees in early childhood education (ECE). Some institutions configure these programs as "pre-kindergarten" or "pre-K" degrees. These concentrated study paths combine educational theory with child psychology, human development, and care-based approaches to nurturing very young learners.
On-Campus Versus Online Program Options
For those wondering how to become a teacher in Texas, the journey begins with a bachelor's program in education or any other subject area. Students who do not hold education degrees must complete specialized educator prep programs. Schools offer these programs in a variety of learning formats.
On-Campus
The face-to-face learning experience of traditional on-campus programs offers strong value for aspiring educators. On-campus programs often facilitate more peer-to-peer and student-instructor interactions, which can significantly accelerate and enrich networking efforts, learner engagement, and students' grasp of pedagogical concepts.
Online Programs
Online higher learning continues to grow at a rapid rate in Texas, as COVID-19 continues to add momentum to a growth trajectory that was already trending upward. However, learners should note that fully online opportunities do not yet cover aspects such as student teaching and classroom observation.
Instead, online teaching programs in Texas mainly rely on distance learning to deliver theory-driven coursework. Practical training requirements focus primarily on the traditional classroom experience.
Hybrid Programs
Hybrid programs combine in-class and online learning. Technically speaking, teaching degrees branded as "online" almost always include mixed formats if their graduation requirements include practicum components such as practice teaching or teacher observation. In the vast majority of cases, candidates must complete such requirements in person.
| Enrolled Exclusively in Distance Education Courses | Enrolled in Some but Not All Distance Education Courses | Not Enrolled in Any Distance Education Courses | |
|---|---|---|---|
| TX Students | 14% | 21.3% | 64.7% |
| United States Students | 16.3% | 18.4% | 65.3% |
Source: NCES
Paying for Your Teaching Degree
For many learners, higher education financing plays a central role in school selection. Full-time undergraduate students attending a four-year college in the U.S. paid an average of $27,357 for one year of tuition, room and board, and mandatory fees in 2017-18. At that rate, the typical price tag of a bachelor's degree exceeds $100,000.
To meet those costs, personal finance experts urge students to consider non-repayable forms of aid first. Examples include scholarships, bursaries, grants, and fellowships. These forms of funding remain highly competitive and elusive for many students, making government-backed and/or private loans a common fall-back plan.
However, teachers enjoy special privileges when it comes to loans. Texas supports three different loan forgiveness programs for professional educators. You can learn more about these important initiatives through the Texas Education Agency.
| Texas | National | |
|---|---|---|
| Average In-State Tuition and Fees (Public Four-Year) | $8,645 | $9,037 |
| Average Out-of-State Tuition and Fees (Public Four-Year) | $24,937 | $25,657 |
| Average Tuition and Fees (Private Four-Year) | $32,482 | $30,731 |
| Average In-State Tuition and Fees (Public Two-Year) | $2,209 | $3,243 |
| Average Out-of-State Tuition and Fees (Public Two-Year) | $6,418 | $7,971 |
Source: NCES
In-State Versus Out-of-State Tuition
While many private colleges charge enrollees the same tuition rates regardless of their residency status, public institutions in Texas commonly reserve significantly lower tuition fees for in-state students. This practice reflects the idea that locally based learners deserve price breaks because their taxes help finance the state's higher education network.
Even so, many schools participate in reciprocity agreements that extend in-state rates to students coming to Texas from nearby jurisdictions. In Texas, the Southern Regional Education Board's Academic Common Market acts as the main reciprocity compact.
Under Academic Common Market terms, learners attending signatory Texas-based schools qualify for in-state tuition if they hold residency status in Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, or West Virginia.
Texas's Cost of Living
One major advantage of attending college in Texas extends to the state's advantageous cost of living. Statistics from 2020 show that Texas ranks among the most affordable states in the country, only narrowly falling outside the top 10.
The statistics, reported by World Population Review, use 100 as the nationwide baseline. Texas reports a score of 91.5, meaning that its typical cost of living falls 8.5% below the national average. Housing, groceries, and transportation, which combine to account for a large percentage of the typical student's budget, are all especially affordable in Texas.
Other School Selection Criteria
For most learners, program costs and the extent to which a study path matches their learning and career objectives serve as the two most important school selection criteria. However, numerous other factors come into play to lesser or greater degrees, depending on individual priorities and preferences. Examples include:
Staff Credentials
Great teachers beget great teachers. Faculty credentials often carry significant weight.
Prestige and Reputation
School boards and other employers often maintain internal lists of preferred teacher's colleges, and they can directly or indirectly impact hiring decisions. Thus, being an alumnus of a particularly reputable school vastly enhances an emerging teacher's employability.
Practical Learning Opportunities
Practice teaching and classroom observation represent fundamental aspects of educator preparation. Students should carefully consider what kinds of opportunities a given program or school offers in this regard.
Program Culture and Composition
Educators teach in many different styles and espouse many different philosophies. If you already hold some known preferences in these regards, seeking programs that match them can lead to a more satisfying and valuable learning experience.
Many other similar factors also apply. Program competitiveness, specialization options, admission standards, test score requirements, and acceleration/deceleration opportunities may also influence your choice of schools.
Teaching in Texas
Texas boasts one of the fastest-growing and largest economies in the United States. According to one 2019 analysis, the Lone Star State's annual economic output of $1.6 trillion exceeds Russia's national gross domestic product. For residents of Texas, this means high levels of economic stability and resilience, both of which bode well for education funding and, by extension, teaching careers.
Another 2019 analysis looked at the state's job market for teachers, noting significant staffing shortages in multiple areas led by elementary education. The analysis, performed by the Education Career Alternatives Program, cited fears that the current shortage could even reach crisis levels. It also noted that state legislators recently voted to increase teachers' salaries in Texas in a bid to fill job vacancies.
Similar trends carry over to the middle school and high school levels. Teacher shortage reports from the U.S. Department of Education indicate a promising job outlook for teachers in Texas across elementary, middle school, and secondary categories.
All indications point to now being an ideal time to start teaching in Texas. The sections that follow explain everything you need to know about the licensure and job search processes.
How to Become a Teacher in Texas
Each state maintains its own internal standards with regard to teaching licensure, and state teaching licenses have limited transferability to other jurisdictions. Earning a classroom teaching certificate in Texas requires candidates to hold at least a bachelor's degree, complete a specialized teacher training program, pass a standardized certification exam, apply for a license, and clear a criminal background check. First-time license applicants must also submit fingerprints as part of the approval process.
The entire process takes at least 5-6 years to complete. Note that individuals with certain classes of felony convictions are ineligible to become classroom teachers in Texas. For more detailed information on the steps involved, consult the following subsections.
Notable Texas Schools and Districts
Skyline High School
Named for its soaring view of the Dallas skyline, this school ranks near the top of the largest public secondary schools in Texas and educates students in the ninth through 12th grades. Consistently recognized as one of the top high schools in the U.S., Skyline graduates about 1,000 students annually and typically experiences ongoing demand for teachers.
Carroll Independent School District
Using Texas Education Agency accountability data, a leading Dallas-Fort Worth real estate firm ranked this Southlake-area school district as the best in the state in 2020. This district earned a perfect 10/10 for student academic performance, making it an appealing employment target for established and emerging educators.
Highland Park Independent School District
This Dallas-area independent school district (ISD) finished in third place in the 2020 rankings that put Carroll ISD in top spot. Highland Park ISD enjoys a high profile among Texans, who recognize it as one of the most prestigious school districts in the state and a highly desirable destination for teachers.
Texas Teacher Salaries
Several noteworthy trends emerge when analyzing data covering the typical Texas teacher salary. First: the average earnings of an elementary, middle school, and high school teacher in Texas align just below the nationwide mean in all three cases. However, after factoring in the state's low cost of living, Texas teachers generally fare relatively well, financially speaking.
Also of note: the jump in average earnings for teachers with master's degrees is less pronounced in Texas than most other states. Holding a master's degree is not required to teach in Texas; the designation may open more career doors, but potentially without a significant rise in salary.
Texas Teacher Salaries
Texas Trends in Education
The population of Texas continues its rapid growth, vastly outpacing the national average and leading all states from mid-2018 through mid-2019. This boom coincides with strong current and future growth projections for teaching jobs in the state, which experts expect to surge during the 2020s.
In practically all cases, labor market analysts expect job growth rates for all classes of K-12 teachers to more than double national average rates from 2018-28. In particular, they anticipate strong growth for kindergarten teachers, high school teachers, and both regular and special education preschool teachers.
Beyond general population growth, driving factors behind these trends include soaring elementary and secondary school enrollment rates. In Texas, these outpaced national averages by more than 400% from 2017 to 2020. During that three-year period, public primary and high schools in Texas saw a 33% surge in enrollment, compared to just 7% nationwide.
While the job growth numbers look very appealing, aspiring educators in Texas should also note the state's relatively low per-pupil education expenditures. Texas spent 30.8% less per student than the typical U.S. state in 2018, indicating that teachers generally need to coax more mileage out of fewer resources.
Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Accredited institutions in Texas offer online teaching programs along with traditional in-class formats. However, they generally include some in-person components, including teacher observation and student teaching requirements.
Professional Teaching Organizations in Texas
Association of Texas Professional EducatorsThe ATPE mainly focuses on continuing education and professional development. Membership also includes professional liability insurance and access to legal representation, further enhancing its utility and value.
Texas AFTChartered in 1974 and originally known as the Texas Federation of Teachers, TAFT is now part of the national American Federation of Teachers. It functions as a labor union that protects the rights and interests of all public school teachers in the state.
Texas Classroom Teachers AssociationIn addition to teacher certification and job search resources, the TCTA provides practicing members with liability insurance and legal counsel if needed. However, membership remains open only to educators who work in classroom settings.
Texas State Teachers AssociationThe TSTA maintains a formal affiliation with the National Education Association (NEA). Members also enjoy full access to additional outside resources provided by the NEA.
Related Reading
Teaching Programs in Texas
The list below covers teaching programs offered at colleges and universities in Texas. Site auditors update this list annually using information drawn from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System. All programs listed hold valid accreditation credentials, but prospective applicants should independently verify their standing with the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board before applying.