Admission to the Teacher Preparation Program Requirements

Admission Requirements

If a student has not met admission requirements by the time he/she has completed 66 semester hours, he/she will be advised to select a non-teacher preparation major. If at a later time admission requirements are met, the student may apply for admission and if approved may resume taking courses in the teacher preparation program.  Education students not admitted to teacher preparation by 66 hours, will most likely delay their graduation date.  The university is not required to offer courses out of order nor it is it required to allow students to take courses out of order.

Admissions fee (non-refundable) – $35

TEXAS SUCCESS INITIATIVE ASSESSMENT 2.0 (TSIA 2.0) EXEMPTIONS and GENERAL INFORMATION

Per Texas Education Code, §51.338, candidates meet the proficiencies of the TSIA 2.0 exam in Mathematics and English Language Arts and Reading (ELAR) or satisfy exemption(s) listed below to demonstrate readiness for entry-level college coursework.

The minimum passing scores for the Mathematics TSIA 2.0 are as follows:

  • 950+ for math OR
  • 910-949 or lower for math with Math Diagnostic Level of 6

The minimum passing scores for the ELAR TSIA 2.0 are as follows:

  • ELAR score of 945+ with Essay Score of 5-8 OR
  • ELAR score 910-944 with ELAR Diagnostic Level of 4-6 AND Essay Score of 5-8

TSIA 2.0 Exemption by Test Scores

Old SAT: Prior to March 2016

  • A minimum SAT critical reading and math composite score of 1070 with at least a 500 on the math section for TSIA 2.0 Math exemption
  • A student must achieve a minimum SAT critical reading and math composite score of 1070 with at least a 500 on the critical reading section for TSIA 2.0 ELAR exemption

New SAT: On or after March 5, 2016

  • Mathematics test: 530 or higher for TSIA 2.0 Math exemption
  • Evidence Based Reading and Writing (EBRW): 480 for TSIA 2.0 ELAR exemption

Note: There is no combined minimum score for the new SAT

ACT

  • Minimum composite score of 23 with at least a 19 on the math section for TSIA 2.0 Math exemption
  • Minimum composite score of 23 with at least a 19 on the English section for TSIA 2.0 ELAR exemption

STAAR End-of-Course

  • A score of at least 4000 on the STAARAlgebra II end-of-course (EOC) for TSIA 2.0 Math exemption
  • A student with a score of at least 4000 on the STAAREnglish III end-of-course (EOC) for TSIA 2.0 ELAR exemption

*Note: SAT, ACT, and STAAR scores used to support an exemption must be fewer than five years old. The writing section of the SAT test is not considered.

*Note: Mixing/combining scores from the SAT administered prior to Match 2016 and the SAT administered on or after Math 5, 2016 is not permissible.

TSIA 2.0 Exemption by Course Credit:

Earning an A, B, or C in the following courses will allow for the indicated TSIA 2.0 exemptions.  The courses may be taken at HSU or transferred from another accredited institution.

TSIA 2.0 Math Exemption:

  • A, B, or C in MATH 1301, MATH 1310 or higher MATH course

TSIA 2.0 ELAR Reading Exemption:

  • A, B, or C in ENGL 230X (World, British, or American Literature) AND
  • A, B, or C in ENGL 1301 or 1302

Additional TSIA 2.0 Exemptions

  • The student has graduated with an associate of baccalaureate degree from an institution of higher education.
  • The student is serving on active duty as a member of the armed forces of the United States, the Texas National Guard, or as a member of a reserve component of the armed forces of the United States and has been serving for at least three years preceding enrollment.
  • The student was honorably discharged, retired, or released from active duty as a member of the armed forces of the United States or the Texas National Guard or served as a member of a reserve component of the armed forces of the United States on or after August 1, 1990.
  • The student is a non-degree-seeking or a non-certificate-seeking student.
  • The student has attended another institution and has been determined to have met readiness standards by that institution.
  • The student has transferred coursework determined by the university to be appropriate from a private or independent institution of higher education, an accredited out-of-state institution of higher education, or an international institution of higher education and has completed college-level coursework

Overall GPA
Minimum 2.8 (must be maintained throughout the program)

Oral Proficiency
A or B in COMM 1301 or 1302

Content Field 12-15 hours
Students must complete 12 hours in their content field.  Math and Science majors must complete 15 hours in their content field.

English Language Proficiency
Required interview with certification officer. Complete interview successfully or earn passing score (26) on the TOEFL exam.

Majority Vote
Admission requires a majority vote of the HSU Teacher Education Council.

Educators’ Code of Ethics
Adhere to SBEC Code of Ethics and sign agreement form.

Revised 2023