The University of the Incarnate Word, or UIW for short, is the largest Catholic university in Texas and the fourth largest private university in Texas. At the core of the university’s mission is a commitment to social justice and community service. At UIW, you can choose from over 100 undergraduate majors, minors, and concentrations and over 25 graduate, doctoral and professional doctoral programs.
As a Hispanic-serving institution and Yellow Ribbon School, UIW proudly welcomes and supports students of all backgrounds. UIW is also the only Catholic NCAA Division 1 athletics program in the South, offering 14 sports and 23 men’s and women’s teams.
The UIW Teacher Education Program prepares you to be a teacher guided by compassion, social justice, human dignity and innovation. The Dreeben School of Education’s B.A. in Education offers the opportunity to earn a degree while completing Texas teacher certification requirements. Throughout the rigorous program, you will develop your content and teaching skills on the UIW campus and local schools.
The University of the Incarnate Word has earned the following distinctions:
State accredited by the Texas Education Agency since 1973
Nationally accredited by Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation since 2022
Charles Butt Foundation partner program, allowing students to apply for scholarships
Texas Clinical Teachers of the Year: 2023, 2022, 2021
National Clinical Teacher of the Year: 2023
2023-2024 Certification Exam Pass Rates: 100 percent for content exams, 100 percent for the Science of Teaching Reading exam, and 100 percent for the Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities exam
University of the Incarnate Word’s Teacher Education Program is state and nationally accredited and has a long history of preparing teachers to meet the needs of the communities they serve.
UIW offers three B.A. in Education degrees to prepare:
Elementary teachers (Early Childhood-grade 6)
Secondary teachers (grades 7-12)
All-level teachers (Early Childhood-grade 12)
Elementary teachers complete their degrees with a literacy minor and special education coursework. Secondary and all-level teachers specialize in education and their subject area content by completing dual majors.
The university’s 15:1 student-teacher ratio and nationally recognized faculty allow for individualized developmental support. Fieldwork in local schools and community organizations is included in 50 percent of your education courses, giving you the hands-on experience to excel in your teaching career.
Students at University of the Incarnate Word have reduced the cost of their program using these methods. Check with University of the Incarnate Word to see if you can, too!
Amount
Description
Up to $8,000 per year
Scholarship
The Charles Butt Scholarship is available to future elementary teachers who apply and meet the criteria. The award is for $8,000 per year for up to four years.
Varies
Work Study, Working While Still Enrolled
Work study and student employment opportunities are available or you can choose to find employment while enrolled.
Art (Pre-K-12) Chemistry (7-12) Core Subjects / Science of Teaching Reading (Pre-K-6) English Language Arts and Reading (7-12) History (7-12) Life Science (7-12) Mathematics (7-12) Music (Pre-K-12) Physical Education (Pre-K-12) Spanish (Pre-K-12) Theatre (Pre-K-12)
Program Overview
Each semester, you will typically enroll in 15 credit hours (including education courses). At the beginning of the first year, you will meet with the education advisor to develop a plan for your complete program. Advising check-ins occur each semester. You should focus on your prerequisite courses in the first two years.
In the fall of your junior year, you’ll apply to the Teacher Education Program. You’ll begin official field-based experiences in partner school districts in the spring.
Future elementary teachers spend a whole day each week in a primary-grade classroom.
Future secondary and all-level teachers spend a half-day in the classroom each week.
You’ll continue your weekly field-based experiences in partner school districts in your fourth year. Your final semester includes full-time clinical teaching, where you work with an experienced mentor teacher in their classroom. During this year, you will also complete all certification exams.
When new teachers walk the stage at graduation, they are often already hired!
Program Hallmarks
The Teacher Education Program combines ideas and teaching strategies so you can learn and practice in San Antonio’s diverse educational community. Fieldwork in schools and community organizations provides hands-on training. Before clinical teaching, you will complete the following:
Over 400 hours of fieldwork if you plan on teaching elementary
Over 70 hours of fieldwork if you plan on teaching secondary or all levels
Early fieldwork includes:
Guided observations
General support
Advanced fieldwork includes:
Supporting student learning
Teaching in small-group and whole-group settings
Receiving coaching from the classroom teacher and UIW faculty
You’ll be ready to jump in and co-teach when clinical teaching begins!
UIW is committed to preparing you to become part of the educational community you will serve. The university believes that all students deserve high-quality learning experiences and recognizes that San Antonio presents a wealth of diversity, with 19 public school districts, private schools and charter schools.
Throughout the program, you will engage with students, families, and schools with diverse cultural, linguistic, academic and socio-economic needs.
UIW professors develop partnerships with schools and work closely with local teachers to mentor and coach you through hands-on experiences. You will co-teach with a classroom teacher during your clinical teaching and receive additional mentoring from your UIW supervisor. The classroom teacher and your supervisor provide specific and meaningful feedback to guide you in goal setting and continued professional development.
The UIW Induction Coordinator teaches the Clinical Teaching Seminar in your final semester and partners with the UIW supervisor to identify strengths and areas for continued development. These efforts help to provide specific induction support as you begin teaching.
The UIW Teacher Education Program believes in continuous improvement to prepare you as the community evolves. Accreditation and recognition by external agencies ensure a high-quality educator preparation program committed to constant improvement and based on established standards.
The Texas Education Agency first accredited the program in 1973, with renewal every five years.
In 2022, UIW received national accreditation from the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation.
In 2023, UIW became a Charles Butt Foundation partner program and collaborates with the 20 Texas partner programs to improve teacher preparation.
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