As a student in the SMU Educator Preparation Program (EPP), our goal is to grow and nurture you, so that you become a confident, skillful, and successful K-12 classroom Principal and Superintendent in any district or school.

While working toward earning these certifications, you will be taking supporting coursework, preparing for and taking required TExES tests, and engaging in clinical field work.

Advising and Contacts

Welcome to the Educator Preparation Program

Contacts

M.Ed. Accelerated Leadership Principal Program
Dr. Roxanne Burleson, Clinical Associate Professor

M.Ed. Aspiring Leaders Principal Program
Dr. Milan Sevak, Clinical Associate Professor

Ed.D. Educational Leadership Superintendent Program
Dr. Roxanne Burleson, Clinical Associate Professor

Testing and Certification
Contact Karen Milligan with questions about TExES tests and steps to certification.

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Resources

Informative Links

State-level Testing

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Policies and Governance

Background Check Policy

Prior to admission to the Educator Preparation Program, a candidate who may have a previous criminal history, has the right to engage in a preliminary background check evaluation with the Texas Educator Agency. For further information, visit the TEA Preliminary Criminal History Evaluation-FAQs.

The Texas Education Agency conducts a national criminal history check on all applicants for certification and our district partners require that candidates must undergo a criminal history background check prior to engaging in any type of field work at schools with children. For further information, visit the TEA National Criminal History Checks FAQs.

Ethics and Conduct Policies

The Educators' Code of Ethics is set forth in Texas Administrative Code to provide rules for standard practices and ethical conduct toward students, professional colleagues, school officials, parents, and members of the community. All SMU pre-service teachers must read and acknowledge the Code of Ethics and Standard Practices for Texas Educators when they enter the Educator Preparation Program and prior to student teaching.

All SMU pre-service teachers must read and abide by the SMU Code of Conduct while working in their field placements at area schools.

Complaint Policy

The Texas Education Agency (TEA) governs several boards and operates under the rules and regulations called the Texas Administrative Code (TAC). In order to file a complaint, one must be in accordance with TAC Chapter 228.70 Complaints and Investigations (b)(4).

No matter the nature of the complaint, the first step is to contact Dr. Amy Richardson, the Director of the Educator Preparation Program. Dr. Richardson may request that you submit the complaint in writing.

Types of Complaints

Educator Preparation Program

If the complaint is in regard to any aspect of the program or anyone associated with the program, once the EPP committee has heard and received the written submission describing the complaint, the EPP committee will review it and respond within two weeks with a resolution.

Pearson Testing Service

If the complaint is in regard to any aspect of TExES test registration, administration, scoring, etc., once the EPP committee has heard and received the written submission, the committee will review it and respond within two weeks with a resolution or instructions for contacting the testing service.

State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) / TEA

If the complaint is in regard to any aspect of state certification requirements or anyone associated with SBEC/TEA, once the EPP committee has heard and received the written submission, the committee will review it and respond within two weeks with a resolution or instructions for directing the complaint to the appropriate department/persons.

For details about the TAC 228.70 complaint procedures, visit Complaints and Investigations.

Exit Policy

The state requires all educator preparation programs to have an exit policy for the dismissal of candidates that is published, reviewed and signed by candidates. The requirement is found in 19 TAC §228.20(h).

Dismissal from the Educator Preparation Program

Failure to meet established minimum acceptable standards of academic or disciplinary performance might result in probation, suspension, or dismissal. Dismissal from the program may be based on grounds including but not limited to:

  1. Failure to meet coursework requirements.
  2. Failure to abide by policies and/or procedures established by the Southern Methodist University Educator Preparation Program and/or program requirements established by the State Board for Educator Certification as published in the Texas Administrative Code.
  3. Any action deemed a violation of the Code of Ethics and Standard Practices for Texas Educators, and/or;
  4. Any action deemed a violation of the Southern Methodist University Student Code of Conduct; and/or;
  5. Any action deemed a violation of school district and/or campus policy during field-based experiences or clinical teaching or internship.

Withdrawal from the Educator Preparation Program

A candidate who voluntarily decides to withdraw from the Educator Preparation Program must send a written notice of that intent to the Department of Teaching and Learning Academic Adviser. The candidate also needs to submit a signed form provided by the program. Withdrawal from Southern Methodist University translates to withdrawal from the Educator Preparation Program.

Governance

Information about the Simmons Educator Preparation Programs Advisory Council can be found at Simmons Academic Governance.

Employment Projections

Educational leaders are in-demand in Texas, due in part to continued population growth.  School and district administrator roles are projected to 12% between 2018 and 2028.

Texas Employment Trends for:
Education Administrators

Performance

As an approved educator preparation program, SMU annually provides the Texas Education Agency and State Board for Educator Certification information about our program as mandated in Texas Education Code Section 21.0452.

In an effort to make EPP data more consumable and accessible to the public, TEA has created an Educator Preparation Data Dashboard. This multi-source dashboard allows users to find answers to their questions on a range of topics, from general EPP information to specific accountability indicators.

  • Accountability System for Education Preparation
  • Consumer Information for Admission Trends
  • Performance Indicators from Application to Retention
  • Certification Exam Pass Rates for Content Exams
  • Certification Pass Rates for Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities
  • Campus Leadership Feedback
  • Field Observation Frequency and Duration

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