Mar 28, 2024  
2017-2018 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2017-2018 Undergraduate Catalog [Not Current Academic Year. Consult with Your Academic Advisor for Your Catalog Year]

Teacher Education Program


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College of Education  > Teacher Education Program

The University of Houston’s Teacher Education Program, prepares undergraduate students to be certified as teachers in a variety of fields.

The university and the College of Education offer bachelor’s degree programs that meet the State Board for Educator Certification and the Higher Education Coordinating Board requirements for the standard teaching certificate. Individuals are required to have a Texas teaching certificate to teach in Texas public schools.

Postbaccalaureate students may seek teacher certification as a non-degree objective student or as a graduate student. See the Education section of the Graduate and Professional Studies Catalog for further information or visit the COE certifications website.

Note: Rules and regulations are set forth by the State of Texas and are subject to change at any time. The College of Education reserves the right to make changes to accommodate the State Board for Educator Certification, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, and university decisions.

Students who wish to become certified in the following areas should declare a major in Teaching and Learning.

  • Early Childhood-6th grade generalist teacher certification
  • Early Childhood-6th grade bilingual teacher certification
  • Early Childhood-6th grade generalist/Special Education supplemental/ESL supplemental
  • 4th-8th grade English Language Arts teacher certification
  • 4th-8th grade Science teacher certification
  • 4th-8th grade Social Studies teacher certification

Students who wish to complete certification at the secondary level or in select fields at all levels should select a major in the content area in which they wish to teach and complete the Education minor, with certification.

Certificates available through the Education Minor:

  • English Language Arts (7th-12th grade)
  • Social Studies (7th-12th grade)
  • History (7th-12th grade)
  • Speech (7th-12th grade)
  • Journalism (7th-12th grade)
  • Dance (Early Childhood-12th grade)
  • Music (Early Childhood-12th grade)
  • Art (Early Childhood-12th grade)
  • Theater (Early Childhood-12th grade)
  • French (Early Childhood-12th grade)
  • Latin (Early Childhood-12th grade)
  • Spanish (Early Childhood-12th grade)
  • Italian (Early Childhood-12th grade)

Students may also seek certification in secondary mathematics, science, physical science, life science, and chemistry through the teachHOUSTON program.  Visit teachHOUSTON to learn more.

Teacher Education Degree Plan Sequence


The Teacher Education program is organized into four phases: Pre- Teaching, Developing Teaching, Student Teaching 1, and Student Teaching 2.

  • Pre-Teaching coursework and field experiences are specifically designed to give candidates experience interacting with children in public schools throughout the greater Houston area in order to confirm their decision to become a teacher and to prepare for the prospect of a career in education. Once required program benchmarks are satisfied, students may apply to change their majors to a degree seeking major in Teaching and Learning.
  • The Developing Teaching phase includes coursework that builds on the basic professional skills and knowledge gained in Pre-Teaching and provides continued and focused interactions with children and teachers through required weekly field placements.
  • Student Teaching 1 and Student Teaching 2 is a full-year, full-time school placement integrated with accompanying coursework. Student Teaching 1 and Student Teaching 2, are content-focused, allowing candidates to learn the most current methodology for teaching all content areas for which they will be certified, as well as performance-focused, immersing candidates in the real work of teachers in school settings. Candidates are supported in the schools by master Cooperating Teachers and trained University Supervisors, supplemented by scheduled on-campus and online professional development and faculty and peer interactions.

Formal Admission to the Teacher Education Program


Students apply to the Teacher Education Program during their Developing semester (Junior year semester 2) and are formally admitted during the Developing Teaching semester (Junior year semester 2).

  • 2.50 overall GPA at the time of Formal Admission (coursework through Pre-Teaching)

The overall GPA of each incoming class admitted between September 1st and August 31st of each year by an EPP may not be less than 3.0 on a four-point scale or the equivalent (See Rule 227.19)

  • Coursework completion:

Taken a min. of 12 semester credit hours for EC-6 teacher candidates {Math, Science, History/Political Science}; 15 semester credit hours in math or science required for 4-8 & 7-12 math or science certification teacher candidates.

  • Basic skills in reading, written communication and mathematics (measured by Texas Success Initiative completion);

For more information on the TSI please visit http://www.uh.edu/ussc/tsi/

  • Demonstration of English language proficiency
  • Admissions Interview
  • Any additional admissions requirements published and applied consistently for all applicants by the Teacher Education Program:
    • 2.50 content GPA
    • Passed Writing Assessment (Total score of 11>) or Completed Consultations (Yes?No)
    • Completion of a certification (PPR) benchmark exam
    • Pre-Teaching Field Experience Observation Hours

For more information on Chapter 227 (Rule 227.10) please click here

Transfer Courses


Transfer of education and specialization courses requires approval by petition to the Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies. The Student Teaching 1 and 2 coursework must be completed in residence at UH.

Certification


Students must apply for their teaching certificate online at Texas Education Agency when they have completed all course work for their degree and have taken and passed the Texas Examination of Educator Standards (TExES) required for certification.

Note: All potential teacher certification candidates will be subject to a formal FBI fingerprint check before being issued a Texas teaching certificate.

Time Limitation


Courses completed at the University of Houston and/or transfer credits may not apply toward a degree or teacher certification if more than five years have elapsed upon application for certification. Current standards will be enforced.

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