19 Tex. Admin. Code § 74.13 - [Effective 8/1/2025] Endorsements
(a) A student shall specify in writing an
endorsement the student intends to earn upon entering Grade 9.
(b) A district shall permit a student to
enroll in courses under more than one endorsement before the student's junior
year and to choose, at any time, to earn an endorsement other than the
endorsement the student previously indicated. This section does not entitle a
student to remain enrolled to earn more than 26 credits.
(c) A student must earn at least 26 credits
to earn an endorsement.
(d) A
school district may define advanced courses and determine a coherent sequence
of courses for an endorsement area, provided that prerequisites in Chapters
110-117, 127, and 130 of this title are followed.
(e) To earn an endorsement a student must
demonstrate proficiency in the following.
(1)
The curriculum requirements for the Foundation High School Program as defined
by §
74.12 of this title (relating to
Foundation High School Program).
(2) A fourth credit in mathematics that may
be selected from one full credit or a combination of two half credits from two
different courses, subject to prerequisite requirements, from the following
courses:
(A) Algebra II;
(B) Precalculus;
(C) Advanced Quantitative
Reasoning;
(D) Independent Study in
Mathematics;
(E) Discrete
Mathematics for Problem Solving;
(F) Algebraic Reasoning;
(G) Statistics;
(H) a comparable Advanced Placement (AP)
mathematics course that does not count toward another credit required for
graduation;
(I) AP Computer Science
A;
(J) International Baccalaureate
(IB) Computer Science Higher Level;
(K) Engineering Mathematics;
(L) Statistics and Business Decision
Making;
(M) Mathematics for Medical
Professionals;
(N) Discrete
Mathematics for Computer Science;
(O) pursuant to the Texas Education Code
(TEC), §28.025(b-5), after the successful completion of Algebra II, a
mathematics course endorsed by an institution of higher education as a course
for which the institution would award course credit or as a prerequisite for a
course for which the institution would award course credit. The Texas Education
Agency (TEA) shall maintain a current list of courses offered under this
subparagraph; and
(P) after the
successful completion of Algebra I and Geometry, a locally developed
mathematics course or other activity, including an apprenticeship or training
hours needed to obtain an industry-recognized credential or certificate that is
developed pursuant to the TEC, §
28.002(g-1).
(3) A student may complete a
course listed in paragraph (2) of this subsection before or after completing a
course listed in §
74.12(b)(2)(A)
of this title.
(4) The fourth
mathematics credit may be a college preparatory mathematics course that is
developed and offered pursuant to the TEC, §
28.014.
(5) The fourth mathematics credit may be
satisfied with one credit of a two-credit IB mathematics course selected from
Chapter 111 of this title (relating to Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for
Mathematics) that does not count toward another credit required for
graduation.
(6) An additional
credit in science that may be selected from one full credit or a combination of
two half credits from two different courses, subject to prerequisite
requirements, from the following courses:
(A)
Chemistry;
(B) Physics;
(C) Aquatic Science;
(D) Astronomy;
(E) Earth Systems Science;
(F) Environmental Systems;
(G) Specialized Topics in Science;
(H) a comparable AP science course that does
not count toward another credit required for graduation;
(I) Advanced Animal Science;
(J) Advanced Plant and Soil
Science;
(K) Anatomy and
Physiology;
(L) Medical
Microbiology;
(M)
Pathophysiology;
(N) Food
Science;
(O) Forensic
Science;
(P) Biotechnology
I;
(Q) Biotechnology II;
(R) Physics for Engineering;
(S) Scientific Research and Design;
(T) Engineering Design and Problem
Solving;
(U) Engineering
Science;
(V) pursuant to the TEC,
§
28.025(b-5),
after the successful completion of physics, a science course endorsed by an
institution of higher education as a course for which the institution would
award course credit or as a prerequisite for a course for which the institution
would award course credit. The TEA shall maintain a current list of courses
offered under this subparagraph;
(W) a locally developed science course or
other activity, including an apprenticeship or training hours needed to obtain
an industry-recognized credential or certificate that is developed pursuant to
the TEC, §
28.002(g-1);
(X) pursuant to the TEC, §
28.025(c-3),
a student pursuing an arts and humanities endorsement who has the written
permission of the student's parent or a person standing in parental relation to
the student may substitute a course that is not being used to satisfy another
specific graduation requirement selected from:
(i) Chapter 110 of this title (relating to
Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for English Language Arts and
Reading);
(ii) Chapter 113 of this
title (relating to Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Social
Studies);
(iii) Chapter 114 of this
title (relating to Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Languages Other
Than English); or
(iv) Chapter 117
of this title (relating to Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Fine Arts);
and
(Y) credit may not be
earned for both physics and Physics for Engineering to satisfy science credit
requirements.
(Z) The fourth
science credit may be satisfied with one credit of a two-credit IB science
course selected from Chapter 112 of this title (relating to Texas Essential
Knowledge and Skills for Science) that does not count toward another credit
required for graduation.
(7) Two additional elective credits that may
be selected from the list of courses specified in §
74.11(g) or (h)
of this title (relating to High School Graduation
Requirements).
(f) A
student may earn any of the following endorsements.
(1) Science, technology, engineering, and
mathematics (STEM). Students who entered high school prior to the 2022-2023
school year may earn a STEM endorsement by completing the requirements
specified in subsection (e) of this section, including Algebra II, chemistry,
and physics or Physics for Engineering and:
(A) a coherent sequence of courses for four
or more credits in career and technical education (CTE) that consists of at
least two courses in the same career cluster and at least one advanced CTE
course. The courses may be selected from Chapter 127 of this title (relating to
Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Career Development and Career and
Technical Education) or CTE innovative courses. The final course in the
sequence must be selected from Chapter 127, Subchapter O, of this title
(relating to Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) as it existed
prior to August 1, 2025, or Career Preparation I or II (Career Preparation
General or Career Preparation for Programs of Study) and Project-Based Research
(Career and Technical Education Project-Based Capstone) in Chapter 127,
Subchapter B, of this title (relating to High School), if the course addresses
a STEM-related field;
(B) courses
required to complete a TEA-designated program of study related to
STEM;
(C) three credits in
mathematics by successfully completing Algebra II and two additional
mathematics courses for which Algebra II is a prerequisite by selecting courses
from subsection (e)(2) of this section;
(D) four credits in science by successfully
completing chemistry, physics, and two additional science courses by selecting
courses from subsection (e)(6) of this section; or
(E) in addition to Algebra II, chemistry, and
physics, a coherent sequence of three additional credits from no more than two
of the categories or disciplines represented by subparagraphs (A), (B), (C),
and (D) of this paragraph.
(2) Business and industry. Students who
entered high school prior to the 2022-2023 school year may earn a business and
industry endorsement by completing the requirements specified in subsection (e)
of this section and:
(A) a coherent sequence
of courses for four or more credits in CTE that consists of at least two
courses in the same career cluster and at least one advanced CTE course. The
courses may be selected from Chapter 127 of this title or CTE innovative
courses. The final course in the sequence must be selected from one of the
following:
(i) Chapter 127, Subchapter C, of
this title (related to Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources);
(ii) Chapter 127, Subchapter D, of this title
(relating to Architecture and Construction;
(iii) Chapter 127, Subchapter E, of this
title (relating to Arts, Audio/Video Technology, and Communications);
(iv) Chapter 127, Subchapter F, of this title
(relating to Business, Marketing, and Finance);
(v) Chapter 127, Subchapter H, of this title
(relating to Energy);
(vi) Chapter
127, Subchapter K, of this title (relating to Hospitality and
Tourism);
(vii) Chapter 127,
Subchapter M, of this title (relating to Information Technology);
(viii) Chapter 127, Subchapter O, of this
title (relating to Manufacturing);
(ix) Chapter 127, Subchapter P, of this title
(relating to Transportation, Distribution, and Logistics); or
(x) Career Preparation I or II (Career
Preparation General or Career Preparation for Programs of Study) and
Project-Based Research (Career and Technical Education Project-Based Capstone)
in Chapter 127, Subchapter B, of this title if the course addresses a career
from a field listed in clauses (i)-(ix) of this subparagraph;
(B) courses required to complete a
TEA-designated program of study related to business and industry;
(C) four English credits by selecting courses
from Chapter 110 of this title to include three levels in one of the following
areas:
(i) public speaking;
(ii) debate;
(iii) advanced broadcast
journalism;
(iv) advanced
journalism: newspaper;
(v) advanced
journalism: yearbook; or
(vi)
advanced journalism: literary magazine; or
(D) a coherent sequence of four credits from
subparagraph (A), (B), or (C) of this paragraph.
(3) Public services. Students who entered
high school prior to the 2022-2023 school year may earn a public services
endorsement by completing the requirements specified in subsection (e) of this
section and:
(A) a coherent sequence of
courses for four or more credits in CTE that consists of at least two courses
in the same career cluster and at least one advanced CTE course. The courses
may be selected from Chapter 127 of this title or CTE innovative courses. The
final course in the sequence must be selected from one of the following:
(i) Chapter 127, Subchapter G, of this title
(relating to Education and Training);
(ii) Chapter 127, Subchapter J, of this title
(relating to Health Science);
(iii)
Chapter 127, Subchapter L, of this title (relating to Human
Services);
(iv) Chapter 127,
Subchapter N, of this title (relating to Law and Public Service); or
(v) Career Preparation I or II (Career
Preparation General or Career Preparation for Programs of Study) and
Project-Based Research (Career and Technical Education Project-Based Capstone)
in Chapter 127, Subchapter B, of this title if the course addresses a field
from a cluster listed in clauses (i)-(iv) of this subparagraph;
(B) courses required to complete a
TEA-designated program of study related to public services; or
(C) four courses in Junior Reserve Officer
Training Corps (JROTC).
(4) Arts and humanities. A student may earn
an arts and humanities endorsement by completing the requirements specified in
subsection (e) of this section and:
(A) five
social studies credits by selecting courses from Chapter 113 of this title;
or
(B) four levels of the same
language in a language other than English by selecting courses in accordance
with Chapter 114 of this title, which may include Advanced Language for Career
Applications; or
(C) two levels of
the same language in a language other than English and two levels of a
different language in a language other than English by selecting courses in
accordance with Chapter 114 of this title; or
(D) four levels of American sign language by
selecting courses in accordance with Chapter 114 of this title; or
(E) a coherent sequence of four credits by
selecting courses from one or two categories or disciplines in fine arts from
Chapter 117 of this title or innovative courses approved by the commissioner;
or
(F) four English credits by
selecting from the following:
(i) English IV;
or
(ii) Independent Study in
English; or
(iii) Literary Genres;
or
(iv) Creative Writing;
or
(v) Research and Technical
Writing; or
(vi) Humanities;
or
(vii) Communication
Applications; or
(viii) AP English
Literature and Composition; or
(ix)
AP English Language and Composition; or
(x) IB Language Studies A: Language and
Literature Standard Level; or
(xi)
IB Language Studies A: Language and Literature Higher Level; or
(xii) IB Language Studies A: Literature
Standard Level; or
(xiii) IB
Language Studies A: Literature Higher Level; or
(xiv) IB Literature and Performance Standard
Level.
(5)
Multidisciplinary studies. A student may earn a multidisciplinary studies
endorsement by completing the requirements specified in subsection (e) of this
section and:
(A) four advanced courses that
prepare a student to enter the workforce successfully or postsecondary
education without remediation from within one endorsement area or among
endorsement areas that are not in a coherent sequence; or
(B) four credits in each of the four
foundation subject areas to include chemistry and/or physics and English IV or
a comparable AP or IB English course; or
(C) four credits in Advanced Placement,
International Baccalaureate, or dual credit selected from English, mathematics,
science, social studies, economics, languages other than English, or fine
arts.
(6) STEM. Students
who entered high school in the 2022-2023 school year or later may earn a STEM
endorsement by completing the requirements specified in subsection (e) of this
section, including Algebra II, chemistry, and physics or Physics for
Engineering and:
(A) courses required to be
designated a CTE completer in one of the following TEA-approved programs of
study related to STEM:
(i) biomedical
sciences;
(ii) civil
engineering;
(iii)
cybersecurity;
(iv) electrical
engineering;
(v) engineering
foundations;
(vi) geospatial
engineering and land surveying;
(vii) mechanical and aerospace
engineering;
(viii) networking
systems;
(ix) nursing
science;
(x) programming and
software development;
(xi)
renewable energy;
(xii) robotics
and automation technology; or
(xiii) web development;
(B) three credits in mathematics by
successfully completing Algebra II and two additional mathematics courses for
which Algebra II is a prerequisite by selecting courses from subsection (e)(2)
of this section;
(C) four credits
in science by successfully completing chemistry, physics, and two additional
science courses by selecting courses from subsection (e)(6) of this section;
or
(D) in addition to chemistry,
physics, and Algebra II, one additional mathematics course listed in subsection
(e)(2) of this section for which Algebra II is a prerequisite and one
additional science course listed in subsection (e)(6) of this
section.
(7) Business
and industry. Students who entered high school in the 2022-2023 school year or
later may earn a business and industry endorsement by completing the
requirements specified in subsection (e) of this section and:
(A) courses required to be designated a CTE
completer in one of the following TEA-approved programs of study related to
business and industry:
(i) accounting and
financial services;
(ii)
agriculture business, leadership, and communications;
(iii) agricultural technology and mechanical
systems;
(iv) animal
science;
(v) architectural drafting
and design;
(vi) automotive and
collision repair;
(vii) aviation
maintenance;
(viii) aviation
pilots;
(ix) business
management;
(x)
carpentry;
(xi) construction
management and inspection;
(xii)
cosmetology;
(xiii) culinary
arts;
(xiv) diesel and heavy
equipment maintenance and commercial drivers;
(xv) digital communications;
(xvi) distribution, logistics, and
warehousing;
(xvii) drone (unmanned
vehicle);
(xviii)
electrical;
(xix)
entrepreneurship;
(xx)
environmental and natural resources;
(xxi) food science and technology;
(xxii) graphic design and interactive
media;
(xxiii) HVAC and sheet
metal;
(xxiv) industrial
maintenance;
(xxv) information
technology support and services;
(xxvi) lodging and resort
management;
(xxvii) manufacturing
technology;
(xxviii)
maritime;
(xxix) marketing and
sales;
(xxx) masonry;
(xxxi) oil and gas exploration and
production;
(xxxii) plant
science;
(xxxiii) plumbing and
pipefitting;
(xxxiv) printing and
imaging;
(xxxv) real
estate;
(xxxvi) refining and
chemical processes;
(xxxvii) retail
management;
(xxxviii) travel,
tourism, and attractions; or
(xxxix) welding;
(B) courses required to be designated a CTE
completer in one of the following TEA-approved programs of study related to
business and industry, if the mathematics and science requirements for the STEM
endorsement are not met:
(i) civil
engineering;
(ii)
cybersecurity;
(iii) electrical
engineering;
(iv) engineering
foundations;
(v) geospatial
engineering and land surveying;
(vi) mechanical and aerospace
engineering;
(vii) networking
systems;
(viii) programming and
software development;
(ix)
renewable energy;
(x) robotics and
automation technology; or
(xi) web
development; or
(C) four
English credits by selecting courses from Chapter 110 of this title to include
three levels in one of the following areas:
(i) public speaking;
(ii) debate;
(iii) advanced broadcast
journalism;
(iv) advanced
journalism: newspaper;
(v) advanced
journalism: yearbook; or
(vi)
advanced journalism: literary magazine.
(8) Public services. Students who entered
high school in the 2022-2023 school year or later may earn a public services
endorsement by completing the requirements specified in subsection (e) of this
section and:
(A) courses required to be
designated a CTE completer in one of the following TEA-approved programs of
study related to public services:
(i)
biomedical science, if the mathematics and science requirements for the STEM
are not met;
(ii) diagnostic and
therapeutic services;
(iii) early
learning;
(iv) exercise science,
wellness, and restoration;
(v)
family and community services;
(vi)
fire science;
(vii) government and
public administration;
(viii)
health and wellness;
(ix) health
informatics;
(x) law
enforcement;
(xi) legal
studies;
(xii) nursing science, if
the mathematics and science requirements for the STEM are not met; or
(xiii) teaching and training; or
(B) four courses in Junior Reserve
Officer Training Corps (JROTC).
(g) A course completed as part of the set of
four courses needed to satisfy an endorsement requirement may also satisfy a
requirement under §
74.12(b) and (c)
of this title and subsection (e)(2), (4), (5), and (6) of this section,
including an elective requirement. The same course may count as part of the set
of four courses for more than one endorsement.
Notes
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