READING SPECIALIST CERTIFICATION - University of Houston
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Reading Specialist Certification

The University of Houston College of Education can help you become a certified reading specialist through our M.Ed. in curriculum and instruction program. Select the emphasis in reading, language arts and literacy. This program is offered online only.

PROGRAM HANDBOOK

For those students that are accepted into our reading specialist certification program, our program handbook should help answer most of your questions.

Requirements

After being admitted into the University of Houston, you also must be admitted into the College of Education’s reading specialist certification program. This is a state requirement for all educator-prep programs. Students should look for more information from the College after being accepted to UH.

Basic requirements include:

  • Having a GPA of 2.5 or higher (based on last degree earned)
  • Holding a valid Texas teacher certification
  • Having at minimum a bachelor’s degree
  • Currently teaching at a Texas TEA approved public or private school.

Reading specialist candidates are only admitted in the fall semester of each school year. UH typically has a high admission rate for those who meet the state requirements.

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

Once formally admitted in the certification program, you must complete the following:

  • 200+ clock hours of content and pedagogy (5+ courses)
    • For the master's degree, additional courses will be required.
  • 160+ practicum hours
  • 135+ observation minutes by a UH field supervisor

CERTIFICATION

To earn certification, you must:

  • Successfully complete all coursework.
  • Complete all required practicum hours and observations.
  • Complete the degree program.
  • Already completed two years of classroom teaching experience in a Texas Education Agency (TEA) accredited public or private school.
  • Currently be teaching in a Texas Education Agency (TEA) accredited public or private school.
  • Pass the state TExES 151 Certification Exam.

Contact Us

General certification questions

Certification office
UH College of Education
uhcert@central.uh.edu 

Program certification questions

Laveria Hutchison
Associate professor
Specialization lead for the literacy education program
UH College of Education
713-743-4958
lhutchi2@cougarnet.uh.edu