Education Resources

General Education Program Information

“So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.” Ephesians 4:11-13 NIV

Teaching is a gift given by God. It is a gift that can be used to reach multitudes for His kingdom. Nelson Teacher Education Faculty and Staff are committed to prepare and develop the calling God has placed on the lives of our students.

Education embraces all and has no borders or boundaries. Students in the Nelson Teacher Education program learn the importance of meeting the needs of diverse student populations, fostering relationships with students, families, and colleagues, while educating the whole child.

The Nelson Teacher Education program is designed to prepare students for certification with the State of Texas. Thus, students will be qualified to teach in either public or private school settings. This preparation is accomplished through a combination of campus and field-based delivery systems. Nelson offers undergraduate degree programs in Elementary, Middle, and Secondary Education. Nelson’s Harrison School of Graduate Studies offers a master’s degree in education with emphasis in the following areas of study: Christian School Administration, Curriculum Development, Early Childhood/Elementary, Middle and Secondary Education, Educational Leadership, and School Counseling.

All Nelson Teacher Education majors are required to apply for admittance to the Teacher Education Program. Nelson Teacher Education majors are assigned and encouraged to meet with his or her designated program coordinator as well as the Director of Educator Certification to ensure that all requirements are met for program approval.

• Nelson Lesson Plan Template
• EPP Complaint Policy
• Texas Education Agency (TEA)

Educator Preparation Program Approval

Student’s seeking admission into the Nelson Teacher Education Preparation Program and who have achieved sixty (60) credit hours or more, must complete the following requirements:

• Complete, pass, and have an average of 2.5 or higher in ENG 1113 Composition and Rhetoric I and ENG 1123 Composition and Rhetoric II.
• Complete and pass MTH 1123 College Algebra or an equivalent higher level course with a “C-“ or higher.
• Complete the Taylor-Johnson Temperament Analysis (TJTA) – See Nelson calendar for administration dates and times.
• Maintain a minimum of a cumulative and content GPA of 2.75
• Participate in an Interview by members of the Education Committee.
• Complete Nelson Teacher Education Program Application Packet–Including Application, Statement of Purpose, Recommendation Forms, Signed Educators’ Code of Ethics Affirmation, and FERPA/TExES Release.
• A nonrefundable $60.00 Teacher Education Program application fee will be added to your student account once the application has been approved by the Nelson Education Committee.
• Be in good standing in academics, behavior, and chapel attendance
• Supply and Demand information is found on the Texas Workforce website here: https://lmci.state.tx.us/

The applicant’s complete file will be reviewed by the Teacher Education Committee. The Committee determines acceptance or denial, and applicants will be notified by email of the Committee’s decision. The Committee’s determination is based upon review of an applicant’s behavior in the areas of class and chapel attendance, course work, participation, and motivation to become a teacher. Denial of admittance, for any reason, may be appealed in writing to the Teacher Education Committee.

Click for more information about alternative certification, principal certification or school counseling certification.

• Texas Alternative Teacher Certification
• Master of Education in Educational Leadership
• Master of Education in School Counseling

Field Experience

Nelson’s Teacher Education Program integrates direct instruction with hands-on learning experiences in local schools. Each student taking education-related courses is required to complete Field Experience in an approved local public, charter, or private Christian School. The number of hours of Field Experience vary by program and course.

When students enroll in a course with required Field Experience hours, students must contact the Education Department Office to set up their placement. All placements must be made through our office in order for students to access local schools. Students enrolled in Distance Education courses with required Field Experience must also contact the Education Department Office for guidance.

The following forms must be reviewed, completed, and returned in order for Field Experience hours to be processed:

• Field Experience Verification Form 
• Field Experience Guidelines 

Clinical Teaching

Eligible students must complete an application for student teaching the semester preceding the clinical teaching assignment. Check the the Nelson academic calendar for application due dates. To be eligible for clinical teaching, a student must:

• Be approved to the Nelson Teacher Education Program.
• Have completed, or be enrolled in, all prescribed coursework.
• Maintain a minimum of 2.75 GPA in all course work.
• Successfully complete all required Field Experience observation hours.
• Be in good standing in academics, behavior, and chapel attendance

The Nelson Teacher Education Committee will review all applications to determine eligibility for clinical teaching. Admission to the Nelson Teacher Education Program does not guarantee acceptance into clinical teaching. Application appeals may be made in writing to the Director of Teacher Education.

Students are advised to:

• Become familiar with the Clinical Teaching Handbook.
• Make financial arrangements prior to the clinical teaching semester as students may not be able to maintain outside employment while clinical teaching.
• Due to certification regulations, clinical teachers must graduate within six months of completing clinical teaching or risk repeating the cinical teaching semester.
• Students shall not participate in Nelson Sports either by coaching or playing.

Criminal History Checks

Prior to clinical teaching and field-based experiences, students will undergo school district criminal history checks. The state of Texas also requires a criminal background check before an individual can receive a Texas teacher certification. Information regarding requirements for certification may be found on the TEA website at: https://tea.texas.gov/texas-educators/certification/educator-certification-online-system

Texas Administrative Code (TAC) 227.101c) states that a person who is enrolled or planning to enroll in a State Board of Educator Certification-approved educator preparation program or planning to take a certification examination may request a preliminary criminal history evaluation letter regarding the person’s potential ineligibility for certification due to a conviction or deferred adjudication for a felony or misdemeanor offense. For more information about the Preliminary Criminal History Evaluation, go to the link: https://tea.texas.gov/Texas_Educators/Investigations/Preliminary_Criminal_History_Evaluation-FAQs

State Certification

Students seeking Texas State Teaching Certification must follow specific guidelines for certification. Students are encouraged to discuss these guidelines with the Nelson Director of Teacher Certification and Nelson Teacher Education Testing Coordinator. Graduating with an Education degree from Nelson does not guarantee state certification.

One essential component of state certification are the exams. The Nelson Teacher Education Certification track is designed to prepare students to successfully complete the Texas Examination of Educator Standards (TExES). The TExES is administered by Pearson Education, Inc. on behalf of the Texas Education Agency. More information can be found at http://www.tx.nesinc.com/Home.aspx. While there are many TExES exams, Nelson Teacher Education students take the TExES exam based upon the certification they are seeking. In general, students will take at least two exams, the Professional and Pedagological Responsibilities (PPR) and the content area exam (Math 7-12, Social Studies 7-12, English Language Arts 7-12, Core Subjects EC-6, Music EC-12, Physical Education EC-12, Theatre Arts EC-12). Students seeking elementary, special education, and ESL certification will have additional exams.

Our goal at Nelson Teacher Education is to prepare students to pass TExES exams on the first attempt. We provide students with preparation materials and opportunities to practice exams prior to official examination by Pearson Education. All students must have approval from the Nelson Teacher Education Department prior to exam registration with Pearson Education.

The follow forms and guidelines are vital to the certification process:

• Teacher Education Certifcation Flowchart
• Nelson Teacher Certification Testing Policies

Contact the Testing Coordinator for additional information about the approval process.

State and Federal Reports

In accordance with the U.S. Department of Education regulations, effective July 1, 2020, Title IV institutions are required to share professional licensure disclosures. For any certification or licensure, directly contacting that state’s department or entity responsible for state certification or licensure will ensure the most accurate information.

The following resources provide such data:

• Licensing Boards By State
• Teacher Education Certification by State
• Teacher Preparation Program Report
• EPP Review Reports

Military Service Waivers

In accordance with 19 TAC §228.35(a)(5)(A), military service members or military veterans may be given credit for certain 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, train, or education is directly related to the certificate being sought. Contact the education department for additional information.

Effective September 1, 2015, the TEA waives certain fees for eligible military service members, military veterans, and military spouses. For more information, please see the TEA website at: https://tea.texas.gov/Texas_Educators/Certification/Military_Community

Information regarding Military Service Members, Military Spouses, and Military Veterans may be found in the Texas Administrative Code 234 at https://texreg.sos.state.tx.us/public/readtac$ext.TacPage?sl=R&app=9&p_dir=&p_rloc=&p_tloc=&p_ploc=&pg=1&p_tac=&ti=19&pt=7&ch=234&rl=1

In accordance with 19 TAC §228.35(a)(5)(B), those who are not military service member or military veterans may be able to substitute prior or ongoing service, training or education, provided that the experience, education or training is not also counted as pare to the internship, clinical teaching, or practicum requirements, and the aforementioned was provided by an approved EPP or an accredited institution of higher education within the last five years, and is directly related to the certificate being sought.

• Teacher Preparation Program Report