Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Certification for Trade and Industrial Education:
2. What are the qualifications for teaching Trade and Industrial Education?
4. In addition to the coursework, are there other requirements for T&I certification?
6. How long do I have to complete my certification program?
9. Are there any review sessions for the PPR TExES examination?
10. If I don't do well on the PPR review examination, what do I do?
11. When are the review sessions held?
12. When must I complete the PPR TExES examination in T&I?
13. Why must I complete the coursework before I take the PPR TExES examination in T&I?
16. When must I complete this NOCTI examination for my specialization?
17. How can I find out more information about when and where the NOCTI examination will be given?
18. What is the purpose of the instructional internship?
19. Will I complete a “student teaching experience” as part of the T&I certification program?
21. How does the campus-based mentor process work?
23. How is my campus-based mentor selected?
26. Do I need to take the T&I PPR certification courses in any particular order?
28. Can I apply for financial assistance if I enroll in the T&I certification program?
30. Why must I be enrolled every semester?
1. How do I start the process to see if I'm qualified to teach Trade and Industrial Education in the state of Texas?
The first thing to do is go back to the homepage and click on “CTE Certificates.” You'll need to fill out your Statement of Qualifications (SOQ), follow the directions and submit your SOQ to the address on the website. Be sure to include a money order and original transcripts of all college credits. Secondly, you'll need to make application to the University of North Texas in order to take the courses on your Career Development Plan. If you do not have an undergraduate degree then you will make application to the Undergraduate Admissions Office. If you currently hold an undergraduate degree, you will apply to the Graduate School as a certification only applicant.
2. What are the qualifications for teaching Trade and Industrial Education?
A Trade and Industrial Education certificate is based on academic preparation and experience in the skill areas to be taught and completion of specified Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities (PPR) exam.
The qualifications for teaching are as follows:
Option I requires:
- A bachelor's degree from an accredited institution;
- Three years of full-time wage-earning experience within the past eight years in one or more approved occupations for which instruction is offered. Up to 18 months of the wage-earning experience can be through a formal documented internship.
Option II requires:
- An associates' degree from an accredited institution;
- Three years of full-time wage-earning experience within the past eight years in one or more approved occupations for which instruction is offered.
Option III requires:
- A high school diploma or the equivalent;
- Five years of full-time wage-earning experience within the past eight years in one or more approved occupations for which instruction is offered.
All options require:
- A current licensure, certification, or registration by a state or nationally recognized accrediting agency as a professional practitioner in one or more approved occupations for which instruction is offered. Licensure, certification, or registration by a nationally recognized accrediting agency must be based on a recognized test or measurement. If the licensure, certification, or registration is not based on a recognized test or measurement, then passing of the appropriate National Occupational Competency Testing Institute (NOCTI) written and performance examinations is required. (For more information select nocti.)
- Prospective Trade and Industrial Education teachers shall submit a Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) detailing prior experience and skill area preparation to the certification officer at UNT. The certification officer shall review the applicant's Statement of Qualifications to determine whether the applicant meets the appropriate approval criteria.
- Twelve (12) months of wage-earning experience consisting of at least 40 hours per week shall equal one year of full-time experience. Wage-earning experience consisting of less than 40, but at least 20, hours per week shall be calculated at a 50% rate in determining years of full-time experience. Wage-earning experience consisting of less than 20 hours per week shall not be considered acceptable in determining full-time experience.
- A Career Development Plan specifying certification requirements shall be prepared by UNT.
- See Question 3 for coursework requirements, and Question 4 for additional requirements.
3. What type of course work do I have to take in order to complete my certification for Trade and Industrial teaching in the state of Texas?
You will be required to take six courses as part of your certification program. There are four online Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities (PPR) courses and two online Instructional Internship courses. All fees associated with these courses are included in the tuition costs. The four online courses, ATTD 4110/5110 (Instructional Design), ATTD 4120/5120 (Instructional Strategies), ATTD 4130/5130 (Professional Roles and Responsibilities), and ATTD 4140/5140 (Work-based Learning) will be offered each summer. ATTD 4110/5110 and ATTD 4120/5120 will be offered every fall. ATTD 4130/5130 and ATTD 4140/5140 will be offered every spring. ATTD 4740/6030 (Instructional Internship) will be offered only during the fall and spring semesters, as it requires working with your mentor and university supervisor. Select here to display the T&I Options Table.
4. In addition to the coursework, are there other requirements for T&I certification?
Yes, the other requirements are:
- Attend the Summer Professional Development Conference.
- At the Summer Conference, attend the New Teacher Workshop sessions OR complete a review of the Teacher's Survival Guide CD (Available from UNT Bookstore)
- Completion of UNT PPR TExES review session for T&I.
- Pass the PPR TExES examination for T&I education.
5. Do the courses meet the PPR standards as identified by the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC)?
Yes, the six certification courses address the knowledge and skills as outlined by State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC). See the SBEC website at www.sbec.state.tx.us.
6. How long do I have to complete my certification program?
Generally speaking, most T&I teachers will complete their certification program within four semesters (summer, fall, spring and summer). They will choose to take the four PPR courses in the summer and enroll in the instructional internship courses in fall and spring. They will also choose to attend the Summer Professional Development Conference prior to teaching and take their NOCTI competency exam. They will then attend the review session for the PPR TExES examination, during the fall, spring or summer semester and will make application for the Standard Certificate. Select here to display the T&I Options Table.
7. If I started my program at another institution or agency, can I change to the University of North Texas?
Yes, you may certainly do that, but you will be required to meet all of the requirements outlined in the program for T&I certification at the University of North Texas. That would mean that you would have to begin with another Statement of Qualification form (SOQ) and complete the four required PPR courses, as well as the two internship courses. The reason for this is that the certifying agency, in this case the University of North Texas, is held accountable for the passing of its candidates on the PPR TExES examination. Therefore, any coursework that is completed at another institution or agency will not be utilized since accountability will be held to the University of North Texas. The one exception to this rule will be your attendance at the Summer Professional Development Conference. This will be recognized by the University of North Texas as meeting part of your T&I certification requirements.
8. I've heard that under the T & I certification plan that there's some type of examination that I must take when I complete my internship. Is this true?
Yes, the PPR TExES exam is required of all teachers who are seeking certification to teach in the state of Texas. You would be required to take the PPR TExES examination for Trade and Industrial Education.
9. Are there any review sessions for the PPR TExES examination?
Yes, there is one required review session for the PPR TExES examination. There will be one review session offered for this examination every summer, spring and fall semester.
10. If I don't do well on the PPR review examination, what do I do?
You will be required to attend a second review session.
11. When are the review sessions held?
The review sessions for the TExES PPR examination will be held once per semester. Check the college advising website for specific dates. www.coe.unt.edu/sao
12. When must I complete the PPR TExES examination in T&I?
The PPR TExES examination in T&I must be completed after you have completed the 4 PPR courses and the 2 instructional internship courses.
13. Why must I complete the coursework before I take the PPR TExES examination in T&I?
The coursework (ATTD 4110/5110, ATTD 4120/5120, ATTD 4130/5130, ATTD 4140/5140, and STTF 4740/6030) is built around the PPR requirements as identified by the State Board for Educator Certification.
14. I am currently a certified teacher in Texas and I've already passed the PPR exam. Do I need to take the TExES exam in Trade and Industrial Education?
Yes, the TExES exam in Trade and Industrial Education is different than the PPR exam. You will also need to take ATTD 4140/5140 (Work-based Learning). You will not need to do an instructional internship. You will need to complete the Statement of Qualifications and a Career Development Plan will be provided by the Student Advising Office.
15. Is it true that I must hold a state or national licensure in the area in which I'm going to teach?
Yes, all Trade and Industrial teachers must hold a state or national licensure or certification in the area in which they wish to teach. Some areas in Trade and Industrial Education do not have a state or national licensure or some candidates do not hold a state or national licensure; in these cases, candidates for certification in Trade and Industrial Education must complete a written and performance (NOCTI) examination in order to qualify for certification in Trade and Industrial Education.
16. When must I complete this NOCTI examination for my specialization?
Under the current plan teachers will need to complete the written and performance (NOCTI) examination before they can apply for the Standard Teaching Certificate in Trade and Industrial Education.
17. How can I find out more information about when and where the NOCTI examination will be given?
Both the written and performance NOCTI examinations can be taken at the University of North Texas. Please go to NOCTI for further information on registration, costs, etc.
18. What is the purpose of the instructional internship?
The instructional internship is a minimum of two semesters. You will be assigned a campus-based mentor to assist you in completing the requirements for your T & I certification, and to also help you with the transition in becoming a successful T & I teacher. Your campus-based mentor will be paid a stipend for his or her services as your mentor. This stipend is included in the course fees. Your campus-based mentor will be working with you, as well as a university supervisor, in assisting you with your first year of teaching.
19. Will I complete a “student teaching experience” as part of the T&I certification program?
No, you will not complete a student teaching experience. You will be the “instructor of record,” teaching your own classroom.
20. Can you give an example of the relationship between what takes place in the certification courses and the instructional internship?
Yes, for example, in ATTD 4110/5110 (Instructional Design) you will be asked to develop a lesson plan in your curriculum area. When enrolled in Instructional Internship (ATTD 4740/6030) you can teach this lesson as part of your Internship course requirement.
21. How does the teacher mentor process work?
A campus-based mentor will be assigned to you once you are enrolled in your Instructional Internship (ATTD 4740/6030) courses. The mentor will be asked to work with you in your first year of teaching. Your mentor may visit you in the classroom, speak with you by phone, or communicate with you by e-mail. In order to assist you with your first year of teaching, you are strongly encouraged to utilize the services of your mentor. In additions to the mentor, a university supervisor will work with you. The supervisor may make periodic visitations or will be assigning another professional to make classroom visitations and observations of your teaching if necessary.
22. It sounds to me as though the campus-based mentor is going to be doing quite a bit of work with the new intern, what is their motivation to serve as a good mentor?
The campus-based mentor will be a professional who is keenly interested in assisting a new T & I teacher begin the transition to a successful T & I teacher. The mentor will be compensated for their duties in working with you as a new teacher.
23. How is my campus-based mentor selected?
You will be actively involved in the selection of your campus-based mentor. When possible, your campus-based mentor will be another T & I teacher. If another T & I teacher is not available, we will look to you and your school administrator to help identify an instructor in the school who can serve as your campus-based mentor.
24. I have never taught and am a little uncomfortable about my teaching experience. What does the University of North Texas have planned to help me make the transition from my current job into my new teaching profession?
As part of the certification program for Trade and Industrial teachers, the University of North Texas has assembled a Teacher's Survival Guide CD. The Teacher's Survival Guide CD will help you make the transition into the teaching profession. The Teacher's Survival Guide is available through the UNT bookstore (look under ATTD) or 940-565-2592.
25. What is the suggested schedule that a candidate for T & I certification should follow to complete their certification requirements?
This is an excellent question, it is suggested that candidates follow one of these two options.
Select T & I Options Table for more information.
26. Do I need to take the T & I PPR certification courses in any particular order?
No, the courses are related but they are designed to stand alone. Select here to display the T & I Options Table.
27. How do I document my attendance at the Trade & Industrial Education Summer Professional Development Conference?
When you participate in the summer conference, you will be issued a certificate. It is your responsibility to retain a copy of this certificate and forward copies to the University of North Texas certification office for documentation of your attendance.
28. Can I apply for financial assistance if I enroll in the T&I certification program?
Yes, please go to Financial Aid for further information.
29. If I want to enroll in the minimum number of courses in the fall or spring, what course must I take?
As a minimum,T & I certification teachers must enroll in their Instructional Internship course, ATTD 4740/6030.
30. Why must I be enrolled every semester?
SBEC requires all certification candidates to make "satisfactory progress" in their certification program; therefore, you must be enrolled in at least one course each semester until you pass the TExES exam.
