The Department of Curriculum and Instruction (C&I) offers a variety of degrees and programs, both master's and doctoral, that are intended to enhance the professional development and career goals of teachers and other educators. C&I also offers post-baccalaureate initial teaching certificates (available only to those not already certified) that may be obtained at the graduate level with or without the master's degree. Before proceeding into any field of education at Texas State, the degree applicant should inquire as to certification requirements associated with or prerequisites to the degree. Those seeking initial teacher certification must keep in mind that certification requirements and graduate degree requirements may not be related and that the satisfactory completion of degree requirements may not always lead to certification.<br><br>Texas State University's specialized concentration, referred to as the Teacher Recruitment Program (TRP), began in 2001 as an ideal entry for second-career considerations. Students on this path may receive their certification after two semesters of field-based and academic course work and complete their master's degree while earning a teacher's salary.<br><br>The Texas Education Agency (TEA) requires multiple background checks for progression through the Educator Preparation Program. Based on information recorded in your criminal history, you may be ineligible for issuance of a teaching certificate upon completion of the Educator Preparation Program. If you have a criminal history, you may obtain a Preliminary Criminal History Evaluation from TEA.