Deficiency Plan
A certification (deficiency) plan is a teacher certification plan for individuals who already hold a bachelor's degree. The certification (deficiency) plan will compare the coursework on your transcripts with the coursework required for a specific certification at UST.
Once a person receives a bachelor's degree, certification can take place at the post baccalaureate level either undergraduate or graduate. If you meet the requirements to be admitted to the Master of Education Program (GPA of 3.0 in the last 60 hrs. of coursework and passing scores on the TASP test.), it is possible to take coursework at the Master's level and earn credits toward a Master of Education degree. If the grade point average is between 2.5 and 3.0 in the last 60 hours, coursework will be allowed only at the undergraduate level.
The coursework required is different for each individual based on what courses have already been taken and the chosen certification area. The process for determining what coursework is required for Certification is a deficiency plan done by the Certification Officer. Please see the list of approved teaching fields.
To have a deficiency plan done, you must provide copies of all college transcripts (unofficial copies are acceptable), and pay a fee of $50. If for any reason we are unable to complete the Deficiency Plan, the $50 fee would be returned. |
Required to have a Deficiency Plan prepared:
- A bachelor's degree.
- Composite grade point average of 2.500 (no exceptions) in the last 60 hours excluding non-academic courses.
- A level of understanding the English language sufficient to use it easily and readily in conversation and teaching.
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Special Note for Foreign Transcripts:
Persons with transcripts from a foreign country must have an analysis of transcripts by a service that will show how they are equivalent to U.S. standards. Please be sure to have a course by course (upper and lower division) evaluation with grade equivalents prepared. The transcript evaluation services that the University of St. Thomas recognizes are:
Span Tran Educational Services, Inc.,
(713) 789-6022
http://www.spantran-edu.com/
World Education Services, Inc.
(212) 966-6311
http://wes.org/
Global Credential Evaluator's
(979) 690-8912
http://www.gcevaluators.com/ |
After the student receives a Deficiency Plan, there are two program options:
Deficiency Plan Program
OR
UST Alternative Certification Program |
Deficiency Plan Program
The program is designed for the student who does not want to work in the classroom while taking the required courses - perhaps the stay-at-home mom or the student with a job they do not want to give up immediately. In this program the student takes the courses on the Deficiency Plan. The student must then either take student teaching or complete a year’s internship before becoming ready to certify. The student takes the appropriate TExES exams to become a Texas Certified Teacher. |
Deficiency Plan Program:
- Obtain a Deficiency Plan
- Present passing scores on the THEA (formerly TASP)
- Be admitted to the University
- Take the classes on the Deficiency Plan
- Do 2 years teaching, a 1 year Internship, or 1 semester of Student Teaching
- Pass the appropriate TExES examinations.
- Apply for Certification
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ACP Alternative Certification Program
This program is designed for the student who wishes to work in a classroom as soon as possible. A student in this program must be employed in an accredited school as an ACP intern. This program requires 1 year (two semesters) of mentored teaching. Each semester that you are in the program you must register for a Mentor in addition to taking your classes.
The program is designed to be completed in 1 year with an option to extend to 2 years. After finishing the classes and the 1 year of mentored teaching the student can take the remaining TExES exam and become a Texas Certified Teacher. |
ACP Program:
- Obtain a Deficiency Plan
- Present passing scores on the THEA (formerly TASP)
- Be admitted to the University
- Pass the appropriate TExES Content exam
- Find employment in a School
- Apply for a Probationary Certificate
- Register for classes
Should you have additional questions you may contact the Education Office between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. at (713) 525-3540. |
