Teacher Certification Online

The Online Teacher Certification Program was designed for students who have a bachelor's degree and want to earn initial secondary teacher certification at the graduate level.

The program consists of 12 graduate credit hours and a 6-hour mentored internship. Content for all four courses is delivered 100 percent online. English Language Arts and Reading candidates may be required to complete up to two additional reading courses in order to meet the state requirements. Contact the program advisors for information about reading coursework.

How it Works

24-hour program equivalent to 8 courses
4 courses of online coursework (12 hours)
2 courses as electives (6 hours)
2 courses of student teaching or internship (6 hours)

Apply to Graduate Admissions

UNT reviews graduate program applications holistically. We consider all parts of the application and supporting documentation to determine admission. Contact your department directly for specific requirements as admission decisions are made at the program level.

Keep in mind that program application deadlines vary. Check our Deadlines and Fees for more details.

1. Start Your Application

Apply with the UNT GradCAS (Centralized Application System). To get started, select the term you plan to start classes in.

FALL 2025 OR SPRING 2026

SUMMER OR FALL 2026

2. Submit Application Material

Inside the application portal you are able to:

Request transcripts from institutions that will be tied directly to your application
Upload documents like resume, statement of purpose, writing samples, etc.
Provide contact information for your recommenders to submit letters of recommendation via our system

3. Pay Application Fees

Submit the $75 non-refundable payment* for the application which will prompt our office to begin the evaluation process.

Transcripts and other academic documents

Learn how to submit official documents.

Official transcripts are required from every college or university you have attended and must arrive by the application deadline. The transcripts must show you have earned a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution (or equivalent). If you are applying prior to graduating with your bachelor’s, submit your current transcript to allow for admission consideration. If admitted, you’ll be required to submit a final transcript with your degree posted.

Contact the colleges and universities you have attended about their processes for providing official transcripts. Most institutions provide transcripts electronically directly to us, all you have to do is request it.

If you previously attended the University of North Texas, you are not required to provide your UNT transcript to the UNT Office of Admissions. We will be able to obtain this from the registrar's office for you.

Send all application inquiries to:

Carmen Yanes
Academic Advisor
University of North Texas
Department of Teacher Education and Administration
1155 Union Circle #311335
Denton, TX 76203-5017
Email: carmen.yanes@unt.edu
coe-pbadvisors@unt.edu

Candidates must meet the program requirements for the specific teacher certification option selected. Requirements completed as part of the undergraduate degree may be counted toward initial teacher certification, when applicable, but not toward a graduate degree. Students may use up to 12 graduate semester credit hours taken while in non-degree, certification-only status toward certain graduate degrees. Students must consult with a faculty program coordinator prior to enrolling in classes. Performance requirements to remain in a program may vary. See program advisor for details.

Secondary Education

Bachelor’s degree with at least 24 hours in the content area for which certification is desired. Twelve of these hours must be upper level. Applicants must have a 3.0 GPA or better in the content area.
Teaching field: No additional courses if student passes the TExES content exam for the area in which certification is sought. This test is taken in the first term/semester of course work. If the student does not pass this exam, additional course work is required.

Teacher education (online courses)

Student teaching or internship, 6 hours

Student teaching EDCI 5108 and EDCI 5118 (taken concurrently) or internship for students hired as teachers of record on Probationary Teaching Certificates, EDCI 5105 and EDCI 5115 (one in each of two consecutive long terms/semesters).
Two state exams must be passed for the student to become certified by the state:

TExES Core Subject
TExES Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities Exam EC-12 – recommended to be taken after the EC-6 Test

To attain the teaching certificate, candidates must complete all course work, attain passing scores on the appropriate state examination, and send an application to TEA for the certificate.

NOTE: The Clinical Practice is limited to schools within a 50 mile-radius from UNT.