Admissions to the Teacher Education Program

Application Period for Admission in Fall 2026

August 1, 2026 through September 13, 2026

Admission to the Teacher Education Program (TEd) signals a student's transition from a student to a Teacher Candidate. It begins your official history with the Texas Education Agency and formal admission is required by Texas Administrative Code. Students must apply for admission to the Teacher Education Program one year before they expect to begin their field experience. For example, if you will start your early field experience or observations in Fall 2027, you need to apply for admission in Fall 2026.

Overview of Application process

Submit your application using the link below during the approved application period.
You will either participate in an In Person interview or the interview questions you submitted will be sent to the appropriate faculty reviewer for your program.
The Student Advising Office will check your eligibility for admission to the Teacher Education Program.
Once both your interview and eligibility pass review, you will be sent a formal offer letter of admission to the Teacher Education Program.
You will have 72 hours to accept and return your letter of admission.

All requirements must be met to be eligible for admission to the Teacher Education Program.

Official degree audit that includes teacher certification and matches the program selected on the application.
60+ earned credit hours
12+ earned credit hours in the teaching field (TNT programs =15+)
2.750+ UNT GPA (TNT programs = 2.500+)
2.750+ Teaching Field/Major GPA (TNT programs = 2.500+)
2.750+ Overall GPA (TNT programs = 2.500+)
2.750+ Core GPA (EC-6 students only)
TSI complete status
Active enrollment

Fall 2026 Application Window: August 1, 2026 through September 13, 2026

Follow each step carefully. After you submit your completed application, familiarize yourself with the Processessing Schedule for Admissions and be aware of the dates and deadlines for the full admission process. Missing any steps or deadlines in the application process will result in your application being denied and your admission to the program being delayed.

Step 1:

To submit your application for the Teached Education Program, click on the Watermark Login button below.

Watermark Login

The login page should say UNT System and require you to log in with your UNT email or EUID and password. If you do not see the UNT System logo on the sign in screen (shown below), please contact Ariel Christiansen.

UNT System logo on login screen.

Step 2:

Navigate to the “Program Applications” area in the left-hand menu and then click the purple “Start Application” button in the upper right. Example screen shown below.

Screenshot of Watermark page displaying Program Applications with a purple button that reads "Start an Application" in the upper right-hand corner of the screen.

Step 3:

Select the appropriate application from the list, then click continue.

NOTE: There are multiple applications open at the same time! Make sure you select the correct application.
Your options should resemble the following screenshot:

Application options for teacher education admissions at the University of North Texas, including various program titles and a “CONTINUE” button.

Step 4:

Complete the application with the required information and submit your application by the deadline!

Processing Schedule for Admissions - Fall 2026

Aug 1 – Sep 13: Student Submits Application
Sep 14 – Sep 27: In Person Interviews & Faculty review Questionnaires
Sep 28 – Oct 9: SAO Check Eligibility
Oct 9 – Oct 23: Offer Letter Sent to Student (Student, watch for an email during these dates)

Important Information Regarding Criminal History Checks

All Candidates must undergo a criminal history background check before they can complete any clinical teaching based field experience. Additionally, all candidates must undergo a criminal history background check and fingerprinting before they can be employed as an educator in the State of Texas. If you have been convicted of an offense, you may be ineligible for teacher certification in the State of Texas. You have the right to request a preliminary criminal history evaluation from the Texas Education Agency here: TEA Preliminary Criminal History Evaluation

Additional details on the criminal history background check requirements can be found in the Texas Administrative Code, Rule §227.1.