Teacher Education Program

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.