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Academics

Military Service Considerations

MILITARY SERVICE CONSIDERATIONS

In accordance with 19 TAC 228.35(a)(5)(A), military service members or military veterans may be eligible to receive credit for verified military service, training, or education toward the training, education, work experience or related requirements (other than certification examinations, which are required of all candidates for certification) for educator certification requirements, provided that the military service, training, or education is directly related to the certification being sought.  ETBU School of Education Certification Officer for more information.

Effective September 1, 2015, TEA waives certain fees for eligible military service members, military veterans, and military spouses.  For additional information, please see the TEA website.  There are some fee exemptions as well.  Please see the requirements to obtain these fee exemptions.

Information regarding military service members, military spouses, and military veterans may be found in the Texas Administrative Code 234.

Certification Policies and Procedures (Military Considerations)

The program and curricula have been designed to effectively prepare candidates to be successful on certification examinations and in the profession.  A review of military service, training, or education can be requested by contacting the Director of Certification & Compliance. 

Any coursework credit considerations must include the following parameters, which has been developed in accordance with Texas Administrative Code (19 TAC 228.35 and 19 TAC 234) and under the discretion of the EPP):

  • Training or education must have been received within the last five years;
  • Training or education must be directly tied to the grade level/content area of the certification being sought;
  • There must be strong evidence that any credit considerations would be a replacement for the instruction/content and that candidate performance on certification examinations or professional experiences would not be negatively impacted;
  • Certification exams may not be waived or credited;
  • Field-based experiences (30-hours) cannot be waived or credited unless the candidate has experiences as a long-term substitute as outlined in 19 TAC 228.25(e)(1)(C);
  • An EPP may permit a full day clinical teaching assignment up to 5 full days fewer (or up to 10 half days fewer for half-day assignments) than the minimum requirement if due to military leave, based on 19 TAC 228.35(e)(2)(A)(iv); and
  • An EPP may permit an internship of up to 30 school days fewer than the minimum if due to military leave, based on 19 TAC 228.35(e)(2)(B)(i).

**Additional considerations can be made for our military service members and military veterans on a case-by-case basis.  Final determination will be communicated to the candidate by the Director of Certification & Compliance.

REQUEST TO SUBSTITUTE PRIOR OR ONGOING SERVICE, TRAINING, OR EDUCATION (not military service or military veterans)

In accordance with 19 TAC 228.35(a)(5)(B), EPPs must develop and implement specific criteria and procedures that may allow those not in military service or military veterans to substitute relevant (prior or ongoing) service, training, or education toward program requirements. 

Considerations for substitution cannot include the state’s requirements for certification examinations or as part of the internship or clinical teaching requirements, as mentioned in the TAC ruling.

Certification Policies and Procedures (Non-Military Considerations)

Due to the design of the instruction and coursework, any substitutions will be rare and must meet all of the following requirements:

  • Service, training or education must have been received by an approved Texas Educator Preparation Program or accredited institution of higher education within the last five years;
  • Service, training, or education must be directly tied to the grade level/content area of the certification being sought;
  • There must be strong evidence that any credit considerations would be a replacement for the instruction/content and that candidate performance on certification examinations or professional experiences would not be negatively impacted;
  • Certification exams may not be waived or credited; and
  • Field-based experiences (30-hours) cannot be waived or credited unless the candidate has experiences as a long-term substitute as outlined in 19 TAC 228.25(e)(1)(C).

    **Additional considerations can be made on a case-by-case basis.  Final determination will be communicated to the candidate by the Director of Certification & Compliance.