UTeach Access is sponsored by Microsoft.
UTeach Access is a new coordinated transfer program that offers Austin Community College (ACC) students a pathway to the University of Texas at Austin's College of Natural Sciences. Specifically designed for those interested in exploring a career in STEM education, this program allows students the opportunity to earn a bachelor's degree in biology, chemistry, mathematics, or physics from UT while pursuing teaching certification for middle or high school science and math.
The UTeach Access program uses a cohort-based model that recruits students directly from ACC. Students participate in the program for one academic year at ACC and, after completing program requirements, transfer to UT Austin to continue their degree and teacher preparation.
Overview of UTeach Access
The U.S. faces a growing demand for STEM teachers, and UT Austin and ACC are working together to meet this need. UTeach Access was designed to increase access and affordability for students pursuing K-12 STEM education careers, helping to grow the number of well-qualified secondary STEM teachers in Texas. ACC students with an interest in biology, chemistry, mathematics, or physics and a passion for teaching can apply to join UTeach Access. Students selected for the program are eligible for coordinated transfer admission to UT Austin’s College of Natural Sciences as part of the UTeach program after completing at least one year and meeting all requirements. This program provides a unique pathway for science and math majors to prepare for careers in STEM education by joining UTeach.
ACC students admitted to the UTeach Access program begin their college journey by enrolling in foundational courses at ACC campuses. They also take an introductory course at ACC on teaching and inquiry-based learning, supported by University of Texas at Austin faculty. This course provides initial exposure to the teaching profession and includes hands-on experience in K-12 classrooms.
After completing one year in the UTeach Access program as a full-time student at ACC and meeting program requirements, students are eligible for coordinated transfer admission to UT Austin’s College of Natural Sciences as part of the UTeach program. Upon graduation, they will earn a bachelor's degree from UT and obtain secondary STEM teaching certification.
How to Participate
Texas-resident high school graduates enrolled in ACC can apply for admission into the UTeach Access program. Applications open annually, and students admitted to the program begin at ACC as part of a UTeach Access cohort. After completing one academic year in the program at ACC and meeting all program requirements, students are eligible for transfer admission to UT Austin’s College of Natural Sciences to continue in the UTeach program.
Eligibility and Enrollment Requirements
Applicants must meet the following requirements to be considered for the UTeach Access program.
Students selected for admission will receive notification before the start of the fall semester. |
Program Requirements
To be eligible for coordinated transfer admission to UT Austin, you must complete the items below and satisfy the full terms of your UTeach Access agreement. 1. Enrollment Be registered as a full-time student at ACC for two consecutive long semesters prior to transfer admission to UT. 2. Coursework Complete at least 24 degree-applicable transferable semester hours from the recommended course list during the two long semesters prior to transfer to UT, including the UTeach Access section of EDUC 1301. Dual credit, Advanced Placement exam credits, minimester credit hours, and summer coursework do not count toward the 24-hour requirement. All coursework must be completed at ACC during the fall and spring semesters of the academic year you are admitted to the UTeach Access program. Students must enroll in the designated UTeach Access section of EDUC 1301 and earn a grade of B or better. Work with the UTeach Access academic advisor to ensure all courses are on the approved list. 3. GPA Requirements Achieve an overall transfer GPA of at least 3.2. All college-level coursework attempted prior to transfer—including dual credit and repeated courses—will be included in the GPA calculation for transfer eligibility. All individual grades in transferable UTeach Access courses must be a C or higher. If you receive a D or F in a fall semester course, you must retake the course (or an approved substitute) in the spring. Repeated courses may only be counted once toward the 24-hour requirement. For example, if you earn a D in a four-credit class, you must take at least 28 hours to achieve the required 24 hours of transferable coursework. 4. Mathematics Requirements Complete at least one calculus course beyond MATH 2412 (Precalculus)—specifically MATH 2413, 2414, or 2415—and earn a grade of B or higher. Students entering with credit for one or more of these courses must take an additional approved mathematics course during the academic year prior to transfer (depending on degree plan; e.g., MATH 2305 or 2420). Students intending to major in Mathematics are encouraged to take two math courses beyond MATH 2412. Students who need to take precalculus must do so in the fall semester of their UTeach Access year and earn a grade of B or higher. This course does not count toward the 24-hour requirement and must be supplemented with an additional course. A mathematics course must also be taken in the spring semester. 5. Science Requirement Achieve grades of at least B in two consecutive upper-level science courses appropriate for your intended major and prior coursework. Approved upper-level science courses include: BIOL 1406, 1407; CHEM 1311 (+1111), 1312 (+1112); PHYS 1401, 1402 or PHYS 2425, 2426. Specific course requirements by major are outlined in the approved UTeach Access curriculum materials. 6. Recommendations and Verification Submit at least one letter of recommendation from an ACC STEM instructor in your field of study, along with required program verification forms. Verification forms are provided by the EDUC 1301 instructor and an ACC academic advisor and confirm that you have met with them, understand the transfer process, and have reviewed the UT degree plans for your intended major with the teaching option. 7. Transfer Application Submit a completed transfer application to UT by the March 1 transfer application deadline. Students must select one of the following College of Natural Sciences majors as their first choice: Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, or Physics (teaching option; see list of eligible degree program). 8. Final Transcripts Submit your final official transcript by June 1. Your transcript must include final grades from all coursework completed at ACC. It must be received by June 1 or the following Monday if June 1 falls on a weekend. Information on submitting transcripts to UT is available on the UT Office of Admission’s Transcript Info webpage. |
Admission Steps
Admission to the UTeach Access program is competitive, and spaces are filled on a rolling basis. To be considered, you must submit your application before all spots are filled. Once the program is full, we are unable to review additional applications, even if submitted by the deadline. |
Is UTeach Access Right for Me?
If you are considering applying for the UTeach Access program or have received an offer for admission, here are a few factors to consider.
With the successful completion of the UTeach Access program requirements, you will:
- Be eligible for coordinated transfer admission to the College of Natural Sciences as a biology, chemistry, mathematics, or physics major in the UTeach program. Students are not encouraged to pursue this program if their intended major is not in one of these areas.
- Begin your next year at UT Austin with sophomore standing or higher, having completed 24 or more hours of transferable coursework to support on-time graduation.
- Gain the skills, experience, and credentials necessary for a career as a middle or high school STEM teacher upon graduation.
We do not recommend UTeach Access:
- If you are not interested in earning your teaching certification.
Students who transfer to UT as part of the UTeach Access program must complete the UTeach course sequence. - If you are interested in a major in computer or data science.
UTeach Access students cannot major or double major in computer science or data science, nor can they transfer into those programs. The Statistics and Data Science department only admits freshmen and does not accept external or internal transfer applications. Transferring to other majors requires meeting eligibility criteria, submitting an application, and is highly restrictive. - If you have a significant number of AP or IB credits and cannot fulfill the 24-hour UTeach Access requirement.
You may have difficulty finding courses from the approved UTeach Access list if you enter with a large number of AP or IB credits. If there are not enough available courses to complete the 24-hour requirement, UTeach Access may not be a good option for you. In that case, you may be better served by enrolling elsewhere as a regular freshman. While you would not participate in the UTeach Access coordinated transfer pathway, you may have a more academically challenging and productive first year. After completing at least 24 college credit hours, you can apply to transfer to UT Austin and compete for admission through the standard transfer process. - If you are not ready to take precalculus in the fall semester of your first year at ACC.
You must enroll in and complete calculus (MATH 2413) during the two long semesters of the academic year before your transfer to UT. If you are not ready to enroll in precalculus in the fall semester of the year prior to transferring to UT, you will be unable to meet the minimum UTeach Access math requirement within the required timeframe. This will disqualify you from enrolling at UT Austin. You must complete the ACC math assessment to determine your math placement before applying to UTeach Access. We recommend completing your ACC math placement assessment early and consulting with ACC advisors to determine if you will be able to complete the UTeach Access math requirements.
Request Information About Applying to ACC
Select Science, Engineering & Math as your area of study and Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, or Physics as your program of interest.
ACC’s Mathematics Department offers an advanced math placement test (ALEKS) to assess your precalculus and calculus readiness. You can register for the test once you complete the ACC admissions process. A few details:
|
"UTeach and ACC are working together to make transferring to UT CNS more accessible for ACC students interested in a career teaching middle and high school science and math. Join the UTeach Access program and be part of the solution to the growing demand for STEM teachers. Your journey to inspiring the next generation of scientists and mathematicians starts here!"
— Dr. Alexandra Eusebi, Academic Director, UTeach Access