Teacher Certification - University of Houston
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Teacher Certification

Do you want to teach in Texas? The University of Houston College of Education can help you become a certified teacher through our highly regarded program. Don't worry: The certification process is embedded in our program, so you don’t have to navigate the steps on your own.

You must be certified to work as a public school teacher in Texas in most cases. Private schools can set their own requirements.

Child in school corridor

WHY UH?

  • Our program includes a yearlong student-teaching internship, giving you invaluable real-world experience.
  • An overwhelming majority of our students pass the Texas teaching certification exam.
  • We’re proud to be a three-time winner of the Distinguished Teacher Education Program Award from the Association of Teacher Educators.

Program Options

The College of Education offers an undergraduate program that prepares you to earn a bachelor’s degree and become a certified teacher.

  • I want a bachelor’s degree, and I want to be a certified teacher.

    You should apply to UH as an undergraduate. Most students will want to major in teaching and learning in the College of Education. Your degree will be a Bachelor of Science. The teacher certification process is embedded in the program, so don’t worry.

    Students who want to teach middle school, high school, or the arts (art, dance, music or theatre) should major in the subject area they want to teach.

    See the next question for specifics.

  • What major should I choose to be a teacher?

    For students seeking a bachelor’s degree, here's how to choose your major, based on what you want to teach:

    • Early childhood through sixth grade (EC-6) or fourth through eighth grade (4-8):
      • Major in teaching and learning in the College of Education. Your degree will be a Bachelor of Science in teaching and learning. This is the most popular option.
      • Some students opt to major in human development and family sciences (HDFS) in the College of Education. In this case, tell your advisor you want to pursue teacher certification. Your degree will be a Bachelor of Science or a Bachelor of Arts in HDFS.
    • Seventh through 12th grade (7-12):
      • Major in the subject you want to teach in the appropriate UH college. Minor in education, with certification, in the College of Education.
    • Special education at any level:
      • Major in teaching and learning in the College of Education. Your degree will be a Bachelor of Science in teaching and learning.
    • Bilingual classes:
      • Major in teaching and learning in the College of Education. Your degree will be a Bachelor of Science in teaching and learning.
      • You will pursue certification in early childhood through sixth grade (EC-6) and take extra state exams for bilingual supplemental certification.
    • Art, dance, music or theatre:
      • Major in your interest area in the UH McGovern College of the Arts. In addition:
        • For art, minor in education, with certification, in the College of Education.
        • For dance, minor in education, with certification, in the College of Education.
        • For music, select the “music education” track in McGovern.
        • For theatre, select the “theatre education” track in McGovern.

    All these programs will guide you through the teaching certification process.

  • I have a bachelor’s and want to be a certified teacher.

    The College of Education offers several options: The Alternative Certification Program (ACP) for Aspiring Teachers allows individuals with bachelor's degrees to pursue certification while earning a salary as a full-time teacher. The College also offers a program that allows individuals with bachelor's degrees to jointly pursue certification and a master's degree (the grant-funded program is known as the UH Partnership to Develop Equity-Minded Educators); contact Jeannette Alarcón at jdalarcon2@uh.edu for information about UH PDEE. In addition, our M.Ed. in special populations offers an option to pursue a certification to teach special education (EC-12) in Texas. 

CERTIFICATION AREAS

UH offers the following certification areas for students who want to be teachers:
  • Art (early childhood - 12th grade)
  • Bilingual education supplemental – Spanish (N/A)
  • Core subjects with Science of Teaching Reading (STR) (early childhood - 6th grade)
  • Dance (6th - 12th grade)
  • English language arts and reading with Science of Teaching Reading (STR) (4th - 8th grade)
  • English language arts and reading (7th - 12th grade)
  • English as a second language supplemental (N/A)
  • History (7th - 12th grade)
  • Languages Other Than English (LOTE) – Spanish (early childhood - 12th grade)
  • Mathematics (4th - 8th grade)
  • Mathematics (7th - 12th grade)
  • Music (early childhood - 12th grade)
  • Physics/Mathematics (7th - 12th grade)
  • Science (4th - 8th grade)
  • Science (7th - 12th grade)
  • Social studies (4th - 8th grade)
  • Social studies (7th - 12th grade) 
  • Special education (early childhood - 12th grade)
  • Special education supplemental (N/A)
  • Theatre (early childhood - 12th grade)

Contact Us

Feel free to reach out if you need help.

Certification questions

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

Undergraduate program questions

Office of Undergraduate Student Success
UH College of Education
713-743-5000
coeug@uh.edu
Ask to speak to an advisor.

CURRENT UH STUDENTS: Learn more about teacher certification.

Get Certified

Other Certification Options