SOE 4+ Year Checklist

Planning ahead can help you make the most of your Baylor experience. Here’s what you can look forward to as an education student!

Download a printable Baylor SOE planner (with checklists you can personalize) here:
Baylor SOE 4-Year Planner

Before You Get Here

Consider living in the IMPACT & LEAD Living and Learning Center

The Impact Living-Learning Center (LLC) offers a community for students of all majors that have an interest in serving the world, educating others, or participating in civic engagement within our society. Although you do not have to be an education major to live here, many do! You can learn more about the Impact-Lead experience HERE.

Attend Orientation and Line-Camp

Make friends, connect with the rich history and traditions of your new home, and explore how Baylor’s distinct Christian mission will animate your story, all before classes even start! Click here to find the Orientation and Line Camp experience that best fits your interests and schedule.

Meet with your Advisor

At Orientation you will meet with your SOE academic advisor where you will draft out a four-year plan and register for your fall semester classes. If you are an education major, your advisor will be in the SOE and you will meet with your advisor each semester before registering for classes.

You can get a preview of the type of classes you will be taking here.
This is also a good time to being discussing possible study abroad programs you might be interested in.
Your advisors can also help you navigate transfer credits brought in from high school. You can get an idea of what classes will apply to your degree through the Course Evaluation Tool.

Participate in Welcome Week

Welcome Week is the official beginning of your experience as a Baylor Bear. During this week, new students join together and participate in a host of events designed to build excitement and comradery around the year ahead. Check out what events you can expect here!

First Year

Begin taking education courses

Take 1st novice level teaching course, Introduction to Teaching (TED 1312). What’s it like? Here’s a sneak peek at 1312.
Maintain a minimum GPA of 2.75 (cumulative and major).

Get to know the SOE

Introduce yourself to faculty and staff in the SOE. They are eager to come alongside you. Creating relationships with these individuals early in your college career is beneficial as it can lead to mentorship, research opportunities, and references in the future. Learn more about SOE faculty, as well as how to contact them, here.
Meet with the Director and Coordinator of First Year Experience! Their info is HERE. Together, they will work to connect you to the people and resources that will help you succeed in your academic and co-curricular pursuits.
Ask your Peer Coach to hang out. As upper-level education students, they have tons of tips and tricks to share with you.
The SOE puts on several socials and conversations each semester specifically for first-year students. These are great opportunities meet other education majors, and again, glean helpful tips and tricks for navigating your learning and teaching experiences.

Get involved

Join a student organization
Passionate about the SOE? Consider joining our Student Advisory Council!
Explore all of Baylor’s involvement opportunities and take advantage of everything the community has to offer. Find the group that is best for you by attending Late Night and/or exploring Baylor Connect.

Utilize your resources

Explore the Learning Resource Center (LRC). The LRC provides materials related to education subject fields. All resources are completely free for education students to check-out and use!
Take your essay to the Writing Center. The University Writing Center (UWC) offers free personal consulting in all areas of writing and composing at any stage of the writing process. Whether you want a reader for a final draft, to brainstorm ideas, or to discuss an entire assignment, the UWC can help.
Visit The Center for Academic Success and Engagement (CASE). Baylor’s Center for Academic Success and Engagement (CASE) seeks to promote academic excellence and vocational discernment of all students by offering a range of services from tutoring to academic mentoring. If you need help deciding on a major, gaining study skills, or getting ready for midterms or finals, the CASE can help!

Second Year

Formally apply to Teacher Education Program

Create a Texas Education Agency (TEA) account. You will receive instructions via email from Texas Education Agency Login (TEAL) to complete Educator Profile in TEA system.
Complete online Baylor application.
Respond to emails from Office of Professional Practice (OPP) regarding formal acceptance. OPP will coordinate your fieldwork experiences as a junior and senior and guide you through the testing and certification process.

Meet with your advisor

Your advisor will help you stay on track, letting you know which education courses to take when.

Attend Sophomore programming

Tips for TAs and Sophomore Socials are events designed to help second-year SOE students continue building community while also preparing them for their field work.

Stay on top of your studies!

Education majors must continue to maintain a minimum GPA of 2.75 (cumulative and major) and earn 60 credit hours to be formally admitted to the teacher-preparation program in the School of Education.

Third Year

Begin Teaching Associate (TA) phase

Your junior year is the start of the professional teacher education program. During this time you will have the opportunity to spend 3-4 weekday mornings teaching at a local school for one or two semesters, depending on your major, plus other experiences in local schools.
Begin preparing and practicing for your certification tests.

Complete required diagnostic certification testing. Refer to Teacher Education Handbook for the specific timeline of this. The expectation is that once a diagnostic test is completed, you will complete the corresponding official TExES certification exam.

Attempt one official TExES certification exam. Results must be posted by the testing company before beginning Internship your senior year. Refer to the Teacher Education Handbook, posted on the OPP site, for additional requirements, specific to your certification area and major.

Attend preparatory trainings and fill out required forms

Complete Bio sheet to your email.
Attend Part 1 Internship Orientation. This occurs in the Spring.
Maintain all required time cards and logs in TK-20.
Attend T-Tess and T-PESS overview.
Do four TEA trainings.
Check your email regularly for important updates and information from the Office of Professional Practice.

Meet with your academic advisor

Complete all general education requirements and ensure your transcript is accurate prior to Internship. This includes any transfer work.

Stay on-top of your studies!

Earn a B (3.0) or better in all Teaching Associate courses each semester to progress to the next sequence of coursework. Maintain minimum GPA of 2.75, cumulative and major.

Fourth Year

Attend preparatory trainings and fill out required out forms

Attend co-teaching and Educator Code of Ethics training.
Prior to the start of Baylor’s fall semester, attend part 2 of Internship Orientation.
Maintain all required time cards and logs in TK-20.
Attend all Intern seminars.

Take any remaining certification exams

If seeking any additional supplemental certification, take and pass the diagnostic test and official TExES certification exams before the start of 2nd semester internships.
When directed, apply to Texas Education Agency (TEA) for your teacher certification.

Start looking for jobs

Update resume with the Career Center.
Attend the Teacher Job Fair. (Usually in March)

Action Research

As you student teach, assess classroom practices and consider how you might improve learning experiences for your students. Then, share your ideas with others the Action Research Symposium!

Finish strong!

Earn a B (3.0) or better in each Internship course each semester in order to progress to the next sequence.
Apply for graduation.

Graduate and change the world!