Educator Certification Programs

Educator Certification Programs at NAU (EPP)

Becoming a certified educator is a journey that leads to a rewarding career. As your professors, it is our goal to help you become a highly effective professional educator. Listed below are the programs that lead to educator certification:
  • Initial Teacher Certification Program at bachelor’s degree level (NAU-TCP) 
  • Alternative Certification Program (ACP)
  • Principal as Instructional Leader (PIL)

Policies, Rules, and Notices

NOTICE OF CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECKS

(1) Pursuant to the Texas Education Code (TEC), §22.083, candidate must undergo a criminal history background check prior to employment as an educator;
(2) pursuant to the TEC, §22.0835, candidates must undergo a criminal history background check prior to clinical teaching.

Each applicant to and enrollee in the EPP of the following regardless of whether the applicant or enrollee has been convicted of an offense:

(1) the potential ineligibility of an individual who has been convicted of an offense for issuance of a certificate on completion of the EPP;
(2) the current SBEC rules prescribed in 19 TAC §249.16… and
(3) The applicant has the right to request a criminal history evaluation letter as provided in 19 TAC Chapter 227, Subchapter B
More information for Preliminary Criminal History Evaluation.

ADMISSION PROCESS FOR MILITARY SERVICE MEMBERS AND MILITARY VETERANS

NAU-ACP program provides help to the military service members and military veteran candidates as stated in 19 TAC §228.35(a)(5)(A-B).

(A) Military service member or military veteran candidates to credit verified military service, training, or education toward the training, education, work experience, or related requirements (other than certification examinations) for educator certification requirements, provided that the military service, training, or education is directly related to the certificate being sought; and

Military Service members or military veteran candidates may receive credits from their current and previous educational experience. The military service, experience, training, or education must be related to the sought certification field. The certification office will help the candidate with determining possible credits to transfer.

(B) Candidates who are not military service members or military veterans to substitute prior or ongoing service, training, or education, provided that the experience, education, or training is not also counted as a part of the internship, clinical teaching, or practicum requirements, was provided by an approved EPP or an accredited institution of higher education within the past five years, and is directly related to the certificate being sought.

The prior coursework and training will be evaluated by the program director and academic advisor.

EDUCATOR CERTIFICATION PROGRAM AT NAU – TEA ACCREDITATION STATUS

TEA COMPLIANCE REPORTS

Click here to view the TEA Compliance Reports

EDUCATOR PREPARATION PROGRAM COMPLAINT POLICY AT NAU

Click here to view the NAU Student Complaint Policy and Procedure

EPP follows the NAU Complaint/Grievance Policy and Procedures which are on the NAU website in the student section

  1. Upon receipt of a complaint or violation, EPP Director/coordinator will notify the accused teacher candidate in writing. The notification will include the details of the misconduct or violation.
  2. The teacher candidate will be asked to submit a written response to the EPP Director.
  3. EPP Director/Coordinator will summon the Complaint/Grievance Committee and invite the teacher candidate to an initial hearing (may be on the phone).
  4. After the hearing, the committee will make an appropriate decision.
  5. If the candidate has a complaint, he/she needs to fill out the “complaint form” on the website. The committee will proceed according to the policy procedure.

Step 1: The Student Services Office informs the student via NAU email ensuring that his/her claim is being taken into consideration and who contacts them next.

Step 2: The Student Services Office informs the related supervisor/administrator.

Step 3: Within two weeks, the supervisor determines the best course of action and informs the student via NAU email. The supervisor may contact the related parties during the investigation.

The student has the right to appeal the decision to the Provost. Any appeal must be in writing and submitted to the University Administrative Secretary within five business days of receipt of the supervisor’s decision. The Provost Office’s decision is final.

Consequences for minor violations include verbal warning and written warning.
Consequences for major violations include probation, suspension, expulsion, and referral to the local enforcement agency.

The complaint process allows for an applicant, candidate, employee or former employee of an EPP, a cooperating teacher, a mentor, or an administrator in a school district, charter school, or private school to submit a complaint about an EPP for investigation and resolution.

The complaint process allows individuals to seek redress in areas where they feel that the program did not fulfill requirements for certification or for actions that the individual feels are wrong.  Educator preparation programs may also file a complaint about the actions of other EPP programs when it involves a candidate’s transfer into or out of a program.

Not all complaints fall under the authority of TEA. TEA has jurisdiction to investigate allegations of noncompliance regarding specific laws and rules, generally related to state and federal requirements. Complaints may address educator preparation program requirements listed in Texas Administrative Code (TAC) §§ 227, 228, 229, ethics (TAC 247), fingerprinting (TAC §§227, 232) and certification (TAC §§230, 231, 232, 239, 241, 242).  TEA staff and the SBEC do not have jurisdiction over complaints related to contractual arrangements with an EPP, commercial issues, obtaining a higher grade or credit for training, or seeking reinstatement to an EPP.

Filing a Complaint

All complaints filed with the TEA must be in writing. We do not accept complaints by phone or complaints that are submitted anonymously.  A person or entity may file a written complaint with TEA by filling out the complaint form online or by mailing or faxing a hard copy to the address on the form.

To adequately review and address a complaint, TEA needs specific details. We must be able to identify a clear violation of TAC and determine whether the agency has authority to act upon the allegation.

Complaints submissions should include the following:

The reasons you believe the issues raised in your complaint are valid. You should also indicate how you believe that TEA can assist you with this matter.

Documentation to support your claim when possible. For example, if you refer in your complaint to an educator preparation program policy, include a copy of the policy with your complaint. Helpful documentation might include letters or e-mails exchanged between the parties.

After the Complaint Is Filed

Texas Education Agency staff will send confirmation of a complaint within 30 days of receiving the submission. Remember, information the public sends to TEA by email may not be secure. Do not email sensitive information to TEA. The agency will remove confidential or sensitive information when replying by email. TEA will maintain confidentiality of information to the extent the law allows.

TEA staff will record all complaints in the TEA complaints tracking system. Each complaint, no matter the severity, shall be assigned a tracking number.  The complaint will be forwarded to the division responsible for educator preparation for further action, including assessing the complaint, providing a severity status and prioritizing the complaint accordingly, and determining jurisdiction.  If TEA staff determines that the complaint is not within the State Board for Educator Certification’s (SBEC) jurisdiction, TEA staff shall notify the complainant that the complaint will be closed without action for lack of jurisdiction.  If TEA staff determines the complainant knew or should have known about the events giving rise to a complaint more than two years before the earliest date the complainant filed a complaint with either TEA staff or the EPP, TEA staff will notify the complainant that the complaint will be closed without action.  If a complainant has not exhausted all applicable complaint and appeal procedures that the EPP has established to address complaints, TEA staff may delay initiating an investigation until the EPP’s complaint and appeal process is complete.

Upon completion of an investigation, TEA staff will notify both the individual and the EPP in writing of the findings of the investigation. If TEA staff finds that a violation occurred, the notice will specify the statute and/or rule that was alleged to have been violated.  Each party will have ten business days to present additional evidence or to dispute the findings of the investigation.

After reviewing any additional evidence, if TEA staff finds that no violation has occurred, the complaint will be closed, and TEA staff will notify both parties in writing.  After reviewing any additional evidence, if TEA staff finds that the EPP has violated SBEC rules and/or TEC, Chapter 21, additional actions will be taken against the EPP.

The final disposition of the complaint will be recorded in the TEA complaints tracking system.

Please refer to http://tea.texas.gov/Texas_Educators/Preparation_and_Continuing_Education/Complaints_Against_Educator_Preparation_Programs/ for additional details on the complaint process.

THE EFFECT OF SUPPLY AND DEMAND FORCES ON THE EDUCATOR WORKFORCE IN TEXAS

Educators should be aware of the importance of supply and demand in teaching profession. The following areas were approved by the Texas Education Agency for the 2025-2026 year as teacher shortage areas: Teacher Shortage Areas

Declared Areas – All levels unless noted

  • Bilingual/English as a Second Language
  • Career and Technical Education (secondary level only)
  • Computer Science/Technology Applications
  • English Language Arts and Reading (secondary level only)
  • Special Education

The following are critical shortage areas allowing individuals to apply for TEACH Grants and/or Public Service Loan Forgiveness:

  • Bilingual/English as a Second Language
  • Career and Technical Education (secondary level only)
  • Computer Science/Technology Applications
  • Special Education