teacher and two students working on a project in the education department's media lab
Educator Certification Program

Certification Programs

Lubbock Christian University offers approved programs as follows:

  • Early Childhood Education (EC_6) Certification to teach all subject areas in pre-kindergarten through grade 6
  • Middle School Education - Specialist (Grades 4-8) – Certification to teach grades 4-8 in a particular teaching field. Teaching field options include math, science, reading/language arts, and social studies.
  • Secondary Education (Grades 7-12) – Certification to teach grades 8-12 in one teaching field.  Teaching field options include business education, technology applications, English language arts, history, life science, mathematics, chemistry, composite science, composite social studies and speech communication.
  • All-level Education (Grades EC-12) – Certification for EC-12 grade art, music, physical education, Spanish or theatre arts. 

Certification programs are subject to change by the accrediting agencies. Student should check with their academic department advisor for exact requirements.

Educator Certification Council Policies

The Educator Certification Council is responsible for insuring that educator certification candidates possess the basic skills and qualities necessary to perform the duties of a beginning teacher in a professional and Christ-like manner. The council is comprised of the academic deans, all education faculty and faculty representing the departments offering educator certifications. As required by the State Board of Educator Certification, the Council has established admission for all programs of study leading to educator certification.

Early Childhood (EC-6) candidates may not enroll in any pedagogy and professional responsibility (PPR) Core courses without the approval of the Council and admission to the Educator Certification Program. Middle School Specialist (MSS), Secondary and All-level candidates may enroll in up to but no more than 6 hours of PPR Core before being fully admitted. 

All candidates must be admitted to the Educator Certification Program prior to enrollment in any of the methods block of coursework.

Application Packets must be returned to the director of Certification by the stated deadline.

Learn more about the Educator Certification Council

Criteria for Admission to the Educator Certification Program

Basic Skill Requirements

  • Reading – THEA score of 250 or above
  • Math – THEA score of 230 or above
  • Writing – THEA score of 230 or above
  • Oral Communication – grade of C or better in COM 3340
  • Critical Thinking– including passing the UNI 2000

General Criteria

  • Successful completion of 60 hours
  • Cumulative GPA of 2.75
  • Successful completion of 12 hours in content field or interdisciplinary are with a minimum GPA of 2.75.  Completions of 15 hours for Math and Science content areas
  • Grade of B or better in REA 3340 for EC-6 candidates

Submission of an application portfolio containing the following items:

  • Completed Application
  • Recent photograph
  • Documentation of THEA scores
  • Unofficial transcripts from all universities attended

A candidate must request two faculty recommendation forms from full-time faculty members not part of the Education department.  For MSS, Secondary and All-level candidates, one evaluation should be from a faculty member in your content area.

Your advisor will schedule an appointment to review and complete a Fitness to Teach form.

The Educator Certification Council meets during finals week each semester.

All questions should be addressed to the Director of Certification at 806-720-7553 or Shelley.Parnell@LCU.edu. Shelley's office is in room 105 of the Education building.

THEA Website

Supply and Demand and the Educator Workforce

Lubbock Christian University desires to provide current information regarding the teacher shortage areas at both the state and national levels.  Please use the links below to learn more about the effects of supply and demand on the educator workforce in Texas.