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Continue your journey from classroom aide to certified teacher.

What is the Educational Aide Clinical Teaching Pathway?

The Educational Aide Clinical Teaching Pathway allows qualified teacher candidates who are currently employed as educational aides (or seeking aide employment) to complete their clinical teaching requirements through their current instructional role. 

This pathway is designed for working professionals who bring valuable classroom experience and want to take the next step toward becoming certified teachers — without pausing their employment. 

Program Highlights

 

Under Texas Administrative Code §228.35(k), candidates employed as certified educational aides in approved UNT partner districts may use their current teaching-related duties to meet clinical teaching requirements. 

During the clinical teaching semester, educational aides: 

Stay employed
Continue working full-time in their current aide position.
Get certified hours
Log a minimum of 490 hours of instructional work in their assigned classroom. 
Receive dedicated support
Receive supervision and evaluation from a UNT field supervisor and cooperating teacher. 
Gain experience
Gain experience planning lessons, delivering instruction, implementing classroom management, grading, and communicating with families — all under the guidance of a certified teacher. 

Eligibility

To qualify for the Educational Aide Clinical Teaching Pathway, candidates must: 
  • Be admitted to the UNT Teacher Education Program. 
  • Hold a current Texas Educational Aide Certificate (I, II, or III). 
  • Be employed by a TEA-accredited school district that is an approved UNT partner (and remain employed throughout the clinical teaching semester). 
  • Be placed in a classroom aligned with their certification area (e.g., Special Education candidates must work in a SPED setting). 
  • Maintain a minimum GPA of 2.75 (undergraduate) or 3.0 (post-baccalaureate/graduate). 
  • Pass required exams prior to clinical teaching:  
    • TExES content exam(s) 
    • BTLPT (if applicable) 
    • Science of Teaching Reading (STR) 
    • Supplemental exams as required (The PPR exam may be taken during the clinical teaching semester.) 
  • Submit the Clinical Practice Application and Educational Aide Pathway Application by the deadlines below. 
Application Deadlines
  • Fall Clinical Teaching: June 15 
  • Spring Clinical Teaching: December 15 

Incomplete or late applications will result in ineligibility for the pathway and students will default to unpaid clinical teaching. 

Program Support

Educational aides completing clinical teaching through this pathway receive full support from the UNT Educator Preparation Program, including: 

  • Supervision by a university field supervisor 
  • Guidance from a cooperating teacher on campus
  • Professional feedback, documentation, and growth support throughout the semester 
Program Completion & Certification

Upon successful completion of the program and all state requirements, candidates will be recommended for a standard Texas teacher certification. 

Ready to Apply? 

Download and complete the Educational Aide Clinical Teaching Pathway Application once you meet all eligibility requirements and submit it to: 

Ahveance Jones
Director of Clinical Experience
Educator Preparation Office
Contact Information
Ahveance Jones

Take the next step in your teaching journey — turn your classroom experience into certification with UNT.