Pathways to Teaching
¡Haz realidad tu sueño de ser maestro!
At Texas Woman’s University, we help you turn your passion for helping others into a career in the classroom. Whether you want to teach little ones in kindergarten or help high schoolers master math, we have a path for you.
Become a Certified Teacher at TWU
Navigating university departments can feel like learning a whole new language, especially if you are the first in your family to go to college. At TWU, different subject areas are housed in different colleges and departments on campus.
To become a teacher, you need two things: your university degree and your teaching certification. Depending on what subject you want to teach, you will belong to one of these three colleges:
College of Professional Education (COPE)
Common subjects:
- Early Childhood Education
- Elementary Education
- Middle School Education
- Special Education
College of Arts & Sciences (CAS)
Common subjects:
- English
- Middle School Social Studies
- Mathematics
- Science
- Music
- Art
- Dance
College of Health Sciences (CHS)
Common subject:
- Physical Education (Kinesiology)
Choose Your Path
In Texas, you don't just become a teacher. You get certified for specific grades and subjects.
Here are the most common options at TWU:
Elementary & Middle School
- Early Childhood (PK–3): For those who want to teach Pre-K through 3rd grade.
- Elementary (EC–6): This certificate covers all subjects to let you teach any grade from preschool through 6th grade.
- Middle School (Grades 4–8): Focus on a specific subject like mathematics, science, or social studies for older children.
High School & All-Level
- Secondary (Grades 7–12): Focus on one subject, such as biology, English or mathematics.
- All-Level (Pre-K–12): Specialized subjects like art, music, physical education (PE) or theatre.
Specialized Support (Add-ons)
Many of our students choose to add a "COPE" (Concentration of Professional Education) to their degree. Schools hiring teachers love this, and it makes you more hireable.
- Bilingual: For those who are fluent in Spanish and want to teach in bilingual classrooms.
- ESL (English as a Second Language): To help students who are learning English.
- Special Education: To support students with different learning needs.
Next Steps
Because you are getting both a degree and a license, you actually have two "homes" at the university. To make sure you are taking the right classes, you should talk to two different advisors:
- Your Subject Advisor: Talk to the advisor in your specific College (CAS or CHS) to make sure you are on track to graduate.
- The Teaching Office (OEPS): Schedule a meeting with the Office of Educator Preparation Services (OEPS). They are the experts who help you with the state tests and the official paperwork to become a licensed teacher.
swipe to see the full table⇨
| Department | Advisor | Phone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Art | Laura Lee McCartney | 940-898-2386 | lmccartney@twu.edu |
| Dance | Elisa De La Rosa | 940-898-2050 | edelarosa4@twu.edu |
| Deaf Education | Leanna Hodges | 940-898-2031 | lhodges2@twu.edu |
| English | Gage Jeter | 940-898-2347 | gjeter@twu.edu |
| History/Social Studies | Christina Bejarano | 940-898-2255 | cbejarano@twu.edu |
| Mathematics | Ann Wheeler | 940-898-2161 | awheeler2@twu.edu |
| Music | Erika Knapp | 940-898-2724 | eknapp@twu.edu |
| Physical Education | Michelle Ferrer | 940-898-2571 | mferrer3@twu.edu |
| Science (Biology) | Mandy Biggers | 940-898-2258 | mbiggers2@twu.edu |
| Science (Chemistry) | Lynda Peebles | 940-898-2556 | lpeebles@twu.edu |
| Theatre Arts | Noah Lelek | 940-898-2521 | nlelek@twu.edu |
The Undergraduate Minor in Education prepares educator candidates for the Texas Examinations of Educator Standards (TExES) exam (State Board for Educator Certification through the Texas Education Agency). If you are a resident of another state, contact the Office of Educator Preparation Services to determine whether our program fulfills requirements to take the certification exam in your home state.
Need Help?
If you aren't sure who your advisor is or you have questions about the teaching process, we are here for you.
- Email us: copeadvising@twu.edu
- Ask us about: Which tests to take, how to apply for clinical teaching (student teaching), or how to find your specific degree plan
Page last updated 3:17 PM, August 6, 2026