Become a Certified Teacher in Texas!
Have a bachelor’s degree and want to teach? We can help! Our high-quality alternative certification program, or ACP, will support you through the entire teacher certification process. To get started, fill out the interest form for our UH Alternative Certification Program for Aspiring Teachers.
Program Highlights
- Learn effective teaching strategies from expert UH faculty.
- Earn a full-time salary while working toward certification. (First-year teachers can earn $60,000 in the Houston region’s largest school districts.)
- Receive regular coaching and mentoring during your first year in the classroom.
- Engage in hybrid learning (face-to-face and online professional development).
- Be prepared to pass your state certification exams!
Eligibility Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree (by start date)
- 2.50 GPA
- Interest in teaching in the participating school districts
- Don’t have a bachelor’s degree? Check out UH’s B.S. in teaching and learning degree program.
Competitive Cost
- FREE to apply!
- $250 enrollment fee upon acceptance
- $6,250 program cost
Timeline
- Summer 2024
- Complete the UH ACP interest form and receive the latest info!
- Fall 2024
- Complete application prep work:
- Review the Texas Administrative Code of Ethics (sections 247.1 and 247.2)
- Estimated time:15 minutes
- Watch the TEA Teacher Ethics Training Series (10 short videos)
- Estimated time: 1 hour
- Prepare and record your admission interview. Learn what is needed here.
- Estimated time: 20 minutes
- Review the Texas Administrative Code of Ethics (sections 247.1 and 247.2)
- Complete application prep work:
- Winter 2024
- Receive acceptance
- Enroll in UH ACP!
- You’re on your way to an exciting teaching career
- Spring 2025
- Get a jump start on your online coursework
- Gain experience from 50 hours of classroom observations
- Pass content exam(s)
- Summer 2025
- Attend in-person UH ACP summer training
- Connect with your cohort and leadership team
- Fall 2025
- Begin working as a teacher
- Gain a full-time salary and benefits, paid vacation, and a better quality of life
- Receive ongoing support and professional development
- Summer 2026
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- Pass your final certification exam
- Congratulations! You are a certified teacher!
Learn More
Hear from program participants and learn more about the UH ACP model in this in-depth story.
Questions?
Email Dr. Amber Thompson and Dr. Shea Culpepper at uhacp@central.uh.edu. And don’t forget to fill out the UH ACP interest form.
The UH ACP for Aspiring Teachers is supported by a grant from Houston Endowment.