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College of Education

Certification Programs

Initial Teaching Certificate | Professional Certificates

Initial Teaching Certificate

The College of Education offers initial teacher certification programs for students who have bachelor's degrees in all undergraduate fields of specialization. See the list of elementary, secondary, and all-level initial certificates in the Undergraduate Studies catalog.

Students who have completed a bachelor's degree and who desire initial certification should apply for a deficiency plan. Selected courses that are required for initial certification may, with the approval of a graduate advisor, be applied toward a master's degree program. Consult the Teacher Education and Certification Office, 112 Farish Hall, (713) 743-5046, for information and assistance in selecting the appropriate deficiency plan program. Students requiring a deficiency plan may obtain an application from the Teacher Education and Certification Office.

The initial certification requirements are similar to those listed in the Undergraduate Studies catalog. In lieu of the student teaching requirement, students may qualify for an internship program or substitute two years of full-time teaching experience in a school accredited by the Texas Education Agency, at the level(s) for which they seek certification, and six semester hours of approved education courses.

Students entering teacher preparation programs after May 1, 1984, are required by state of Texas regulations to have passed the Texas Academic Skills Program prior to being admitted to teacher education. All required sections of this test must be passed before being admitted to the program. Admission criteria are listed in the Undergraduate Studies catalog and are prerequisite to taking the required professional development courses. For specific information about this test, students should call the Counseling and Testing Service, (713) 743-5454. Graduates of teacher education programs after May 1, 1986, are required by state of Texas regulations to take the Examination for the Certification of Educators in Texas upon completion of the program.

Students who plan to pursue a teaching certification program should consult the Teacher Education and Certification Office, 112 Farish Hall, for information about admission requirements and course requirements. Full admission to the Teacher Education program is a prerequisite to enrollment in the beginning certification courses.

All teacher certification transactions, including professional certificates and endorsements, are made through the College of Education. Inquiries should be directed to the Teacher Education and Certification Office, or the appropriate department, University of Houston, Houston, Texas 77204-5871.

Professional Certificates

Professional certificates are available in the following:

Teaching | Professional Reading Specialist | Instructional Supervision
Principal (Mid-Management) | Superintendent | Counseling
Educational Diagnostician | Generic Special Education
Special Education Counselor | Special Education Supervisor

Teaching (30 semester hours)

Students who currently have the Texas Provisional Teaching Certificate may be able to obtain a Professional Teaching Certificate simultaneously with the master's degree. The master's degree advisor can design a degree plan that will incorporate certification requirements.

The program includes 12 hours of academic specialization, six hours of professional development, six hours in a resource area, and six hours of approved electives. Three years of acceptable teaching experience is a prerequisite for this certificate.

Professional Reading Specialist (24 semester hours)

This program leads to the Reading Specialist Professional Certificate and prepares teachers to fill roles in regular or special classrooms, clinics, or administrative positions. Graduates will be certified to teach reading at the elementary or secondary level. Requirements include 12 semester hours in reading; and three semester hours each in multicultural education, language arts education, literature education, and linguistics education. Approved electives are required to complete the requirements for the M.Ed. degree in curriculum and instruction with a major in reading and language arts.

For further information, consult the Department of Curriculum and Instruction, 256 Farish Hall, 743-4950.

Instructional Supervision (33 semester hours)

Whether they are titled curriculum coordinator, director of instruction, or assistant superintendent of instruction, instructional leadership personnel are required to complete a 33-semester-credit-hour program of graduate study in order to occupy these positions in Texas public schools. (A temporary permit may be obtained under certain conditions while the program is being completed.)

Ê The program for the preparation of instructional supervisors includes 12 hours of supervision (including an internship), nine hours of methods and materials within the instructional area students plan to supervise, six hours of general administration, three hours of learning theory, and three hours of multicultural education. Three years of acceptable teaching experience is a prerequisite for this certificate.

For further information, consult the Department of Educational Leadership and Cultural Studies, 401 Farish Hall, (713) 743-5030.

Principal (Mid-Management) (45 semester hours)

This program prepares graduate students who have teacher's certificates and teaching experience for employment as assistant principals, principals, directors, coordinators, assistant superintendents, or other positions requiring the Texas Professional Mid-Management Administrator's Certificate. Students may concurrently pursue both this program and the master's or doctoral degree in educational administration and supervision. If a student already holds the M.Ed., he or she may pursue the program as a Nondegree Objective (NDO) graduate student.

Required courses include the following: 18 hours of core courses in administration; nine hours of advanced credit in academic areas of study such as administration of multicultural educational settings, learning theory, and microcomputer applications in administration; six semester hours in principalship; nine semester hours of courses from specialized areas of school administration to include three semester hours in an administrative internship. Two years of acceptable teaching experience is a prerequisite for this certificate.

For further information, consult the Department of Educational Leadership and Cultural Studies, 401 Farish Hall, (713) 743-5030.

Superintendent (60 semester hours)

This program requiring 15 semester hours beyond the 45-hour Mid-Management Certificate prepares students to serve in the highest leadership positions in elementary-secondary school systems, special education, career education, and vocational-technical education. Students may concurrently pursue both this program and the Doctor of Education degree in educational administration. If the student has already completed the Master of Education degree, he or she may pursue the certification program as a Nondegree Objective (NDO) graduate student.

The program prepares graduate students who have teacher's certificates, teaching experience, and the professional mid-management or principal's certificate for employment as a general superintendent of a Texas school district. The 15 semester hours of work beyond the Mid-Management Certificate include three semester hours of superintendent's workshop; six to nine semester hours in 7000- and 8000-level courses designed to develop competencies in school district administration not previously attained or included in the mid-management certification program; and three semester hours of an internship for superintendency and central office administration.

For further information, consult the Department of Educational Leadership and Cultural Studies, 401 Farish Hall, (713) 743-5030.

Counseling (Not less than 33 semester hours)

The certification program in counseling prepares professional counselors to function in a public school setting. Formal admission to the counseling area in the department is required. Students must complete a required sequence of counseling courses and nine semester hours of electives, approved by an advisor for this certificate. Three years of acceptable teaching experience is a prerequisite for this certificate. Note: many school districts prefer completion of an M.E.D. degree in Counseling inclusive of the certificate requirements.

If students and advisors plan carefully and if the students complete the appropriate additional course work, graduates of the program may meet the academic (master's degree) requirements necessary for Texas Education Agency certification as school counselors, and may be eligible to sit for the examination to obtain either certification as a Psychological Associate or licensure as a Professional Counselor.

For further information, consult the Department of Educational Psychology, 491 Farish Hall, (713) 743-9830.

Educational Diagnostician (minimum 39 semester hours)

The Educational Diagnostician Endorsement is a graduate-level program that prepares teachers to assess and evaluate the educational needs of learners with academic difficulties. Requirements for the endorsement include a master's degree; three years of successful teaching experience; and a minimum of 39 graduate-level semester hours in five specified areas, including the following: special education (nine semester hours), assessment and evaluation (15 semester hours), human growth and development (three semester hours), learning theory (six semester hours), and instructional modification (six semester hours). Students seeking this endorsement must have graduate status in the department. For further information, consult the Department of Educational Psychology, 491 Farish, (713) 743-9830.

Generic Special Education (24 semester hours)

This program prepares graduates to work at all levels with students who have learning disabilities or who have an emotional disturbance, mental retardation, or a physical disability. Completion of the program requires 24 specific semester hours, including an internship. A master's degree in generic special education requires 12 additional semester hours.

For further information, consult the Department of Educational Psychology, 491 Farish Hall, (713) 743-9830.

Special Education Counselor (60 semester hours)

Individuals seeking certification as special education counselors must be formally admitted into both the Counseling and Special Education Programs. All the requirements for a counseling certificate as well as the requirements for generic special education must be completed successfully. The combined requirements for obtaining these two credentials is approximately 60 semester hours. To pursue this program students must be admitted to the Educational Psychology Department as a graduate student.

For further information, consult the Department of Educational Psychology, 491 Farish Hall, 743-9830.

Special Education Supervisor (60 semester hours)

Individuals seeking certification as special education supervisors must complete all the requirements for an instructional supervisor as well as the requirements for generic special education. The combined requirements for obtaining these two credentials is approximately 60 semester hours. In order to obtain the certificate, an individual must have a valid Texas state teaching certificate, three years successful teaching experience, and a master's degree.

For further information, consult either the Department of Educational Psychology, 491 Farish Hall, (713) 743-9830 or the Department of Educational Leadership and Cultural Studies, 401 Farish Hall, (713) 743-5030.