FAQ: Master’s Programs, Certifications, Certificates

Please find answers to frequently asked questions about these specific programs. If you have additional questions, email our recruitment office at coeinfo@uh.edu.

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• Administration and Supervision M.Ed.
• Counseling M.Ed.
• Curriculum and Instruction M.Ed.
• Educational Diagnostician Certification Only
• Graduate Certificate in Disability Support
  
• Higher Education M.Ed.
• Special Populations M.Ed.
• Principal Certification Only

Related

• Read our general graduate program FAQs.
• Read specific FAQs about our doctoral degree programs.

M.Ed. Degree Programs

Administration and Supervision M.Ed.

Department of Educational Leadership & Policy Studies

What materials are required to apply?

• ApplyWeb online application
• Transcripts
• Official test scores (IMPORTANT: Check GRE waiver information to see if scores are required.)
• Statement of interest
• Resume or Curriculum Vitae
• Letters of recommendation: 3
• Supplemental documentation: Copy of valid Texas teaching certification and a copy of district service record

GPA requirement: Minimum 2.6 for undergraduate coursework per College standards

Prerequisites (beyond having a bachelor’s degree): Applicants must have a valid Texas teaching certification and a minimum of two years of creditable teaching experience. NOTE: If you already have a master’s degree, see information below about our Principal Certification Only program.

Program format: Hybrid (mix of in-person and online classes)

Can I work full time and be a student in this program? Yes. The program is designed for working professionals.

What time are classes offered? Evenings, usually 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Is there an internship requirement? Yes. A three-semester internship (160 clock hours) is required under the guidance of a site supervisor certified as a Texas principal.

Is there a practicum requirement? Yes. A three-semester practicum (160 clock hours) is required under the guidance of a site supervisor certified as a Texas principal.

How long does it typically take students to complete the program? Typically, five semesters

Does this program prepare students for certification? Yes. This program prepares students to seek certification as school principal in Texas. In addition, UH candidates can complete an AEL (Advancing Educational Leadership) and T-TESS (Texas Teacher Educator Support System) certifications.

How flexible is the curriculum? The program is aligned to state standards and thus is not flexible.

What is the student-faculty ratio? About 15:1

Is this program offered at UH at Sugar Land? Yes

What is the cost? Please use the UH tuition calculator for an estimate, and check University fees, College fees and course fees. For financial assistance information, visit the UH Graduate School funding website. Most students receive some form of assistance, which may include loans.

Counseling M.Ed.

Department of Psychological, Health, & Learning Sciences  

What materials are required to apply?

• ApplyWeb online application
• Transcripts
• Official test scores (IMPORTANT: Check GRE waiver information to see if scores are required.)
• Statement of interest
• Resume or Curriculum Vitae
• Letters of recommendation: 3
• Supplemental documentation: None

GPA requirement: Minimum 3.0 for undergraduate coursework

Prerequisites (beyond having a bachelor’s degree): None

Program format: Hybrid (mix of in-person and online classes)

Does this program offer GRE waivers? Yes.

Can I work full time and be a student in this program? The program does not have a part-time option. Outside jobs would need to fit around the class schedule.

What time are classes offered? The majority of classes are in the afternoon, though there also are classes in the morning and evening. 

Is there an internship requirement? Yes. A practicum (100 hours) and two internships (600 hours), all over the course of a year, are required.

How long does it typically take students to complete the program? Typically, three years (33 months). The program includes two years of curriculum and one year of practicum/internships.

Does this program prepare students for certification/licensure? Yes. This program prepares students to seek licensure as a licensed professional counselor in Texas.

How flexible is the curriculum? Students follow a fixed course sequence.

What is the student-faculty ratio? About 12:1

What is the cost? Please use the UH tuition calculator for an estimate, and check University fees, College fees and course fees. For financial assistance information, visit the UH Graduate School funding website. Most students receive some form of assistance, which may include loans.

Curriculum and Instruction M.Ed.

Department of Curriculum & Instruction

What materials are required to apply?

• ApplyWeb online application
• Transcripts
• Official test scores (IMPORTANT: Check GRE waiver information to see if scores are required.)
• Statement of interest
• Resume or Curriculum Vitae
• Letters of recommendation: 3
• Supplemental documentation: None

GPA requirement: Minimum 2.6 for undergraduate coursework per College standards

Prerequisites (beyond having a bachelor’s degree): None

Program format: Hybrid (a mix of in-person and online classes) OR online only, depending on the specialization (see all specializations and formats)

Can I work full time and be a student in this program? Yes. The program is designed for working professionals.

What time are classes offered? Evenings and asynchronous online

Is there an internship requirement? No

How long does it typically take students to complete the program? Typically, two academic years for part-time students for full-time students

Does this program prepare students for certification? This program does NOT offer the opportunity to earn initial teacher certification (we only offer teacher certification at the undergraduate level). However, the M.Ed. reading and language arts specialization offers an opportunity to seek certification as a reading specialist in Texas.

How flexible is the curriculum? Students take core courses as well as courses based on their specialization (e.g. math education, literacy education).

What is the student-faculty ratio? About 3:1

Is this program offered at UH at Sugar Land? The learning, design and technology specialization is offered at UH at Sugar Land.

What is the cost? Please use the UH tuition calculator for an estimate, and check University fees, College fees and course fees. For financial assistance information, visit the UH Graduate School funding website. Most students receive some form of assistance, which may include loans.

Higher Education M.Ed.

Department of Educational Leadership & Policy Studies

What materials are required to apply?

• ApplyWeb online application
• Transcripts
• Official test scores (IMPORTANT: Check GRE waiver information to see if scores are required.)
• Statement of interest
• Resume or Curriculum Vitae
• Letters of recommendation: 3
• Supplemental documentation: None

GPA requirement: Preferred undergraduate GPA of 3.0 but the program considers students outside that range.

Prerequisites (beyond having a bachelor’s degree): None

Program format: Two options: in-person (may include hybrid course delivery) OR online asynchronous

Can I work full time and be a student in this program? Yes, our online program is designed for working professionals. Students must be full-time students in the on-campus program.

What time are classes offered? Full-time students in the on-campus program have classes three evenings per week, usually 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Is there an internship requirement? Yes. Students most complete at least one internship for academic credit. The specific number of required experiential hours of internship-related activities varies according to your program status and full-time higher education experience. 

How long does it typically take students to complete the program? Full-time students (in-person) can complete the program in two academic years. Part-time students (online) complete the program in six successive semesters, which includes summer terms.

Does this program prepare students for certification? No

How flexible is the curriculum? Students follow a fixed course sequence.

What is the student-faculty ratio? About 20:1

Is this program offered at UH at Sugar Land? No

What is the cost? Please use the UH tuition calculator for an estimate, and check University fees, College fees and course fees. For financial assistance information, visit the UH Graduate School funding website. Most students receive some form of assistance, which may include loans.

Special Populations M.Ed.

Department of Educational Leadership & Policy Studies

What materials are required to apply?

• ApplyWeb online application
• Transcripts
• Official test scores (IMPORTANT: Check GRE waiver information to see if scores are required.)
• Statement of interest (must address certain questions if applying for certification)
• Resume or Curriculum Vitae
• Letters of recommendation: 3
• Supplemental documentation: For the educational diagnostician track, must include current teaching certificate and can include service record

GPA requirement: Preferred undergraduate GPA of 3.0 but consider students with a lower GPA (required minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.6 per College standards).

Prerequisites (beyond having a bachelor’s degree): For educational diagnostician track only, must have a currently valid teaching certificate 

Program format: Hybrid (a mix of in-person and online classes) OR online only depending on specialization

Can I work full time and be a student in this program? Yes. Participating in the program part time is an option.

What time are classes offered? Evenings

Is there an internship requirement? Yes, for the certification specializations. Specifically, special education certification requires clinical (student) teaching over two semesters; educational diagnostician certification requires a 160-hour practicum, typically over two semesters. Both must occur in Texas.

How long does it typically take students to complete the program? Typically, two years. Full-time student can complete the program in three or four semesters if not seeking certification.

Does this program prepare students for certification? Yes, depending on the specialization. We offer a special education with certification specialization. We also offer an educational diagnostician certification specialization.

How flexible is the curriculum? Students take courses according to their specialization.

Is this program offered at UH at Sugar Land? No

What is the cost? Please use the UH tuition calculator for an estimate, and check University fees, College fees and course fees. For financial assistance information, visit the UH Graduate School funding website. Most students receive some form of assistance, which may include loans.

Certification Programs & Certificates

Educational Diagnostician Certification Only

Department of Educational Leadership & Policy Studies

What materials are required to apply?

• ApplyWeb online application
• Transcripts
• Statement of interest (must address certain questions)
• Resume or Curriculum Vitae
• Letters of recommendation: 3
• Supplemental documentation: Must include current teaching certificate and can include service record
• Test scores NOT required

GPA requirement: Preferred undergraduate GPA of 3.0 but consider students with a lower GPA (required minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.6 per College standards)

Prerequisites (beyond having a bachelor’s degree): Must have a master’s degree (any major) and must have a currently valid teaching certificate (any area)

Program format: Hybrid (a mix of in-person and online classes)

Can I work full time and be a student in this program? Yes. Participating in the program part time is an option.

What time are classes offered? Evenings

Is there an internship requirement? Yes. A 160-hour practicum, typically over two semesters, is required and must occur in Texas.

How long does it typically take students to complete the program? For those with a special education background, the program typically takes one year (two or three semesters); for those with a general education background, the program typically takes two years.

Does this program prepare students for certification? Yes. This program prepares students to seek certification as an educational diagnostician in Texas

How flexible is the curriculum? Students take courses according to the certification plan.

Is this program offered at UH at Sugar Land? No

What is the cost? Please use the UH tuition calculator for an estimate, and check University fees, College fees and course fees. Please note that students in certification-only or certificate programs are not eligible for most financial aid, though loans or employer assistance may be available.

Graduate Certificate in Disability Support

Department of Educational Leadership & Policy Studies

What materials are required to apply?

• ApplyWeb online application
• Transcripts
• Statement of interest
• Resume or Curriculum Vitae
• Supplemental documentation: None
• Test scores NOT required
• Letters of recommendation NOT required

GPA requirement: Preferred undergraduate GPA of 3.0 but consider students with a lower GPA (required minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.6 per College standards)

Prerequisites (beyond having a bachelor’s degree): None

Program format: Online only

Can I work full time and be a student in this program? Yes. This program is designing as a part-time program.

What time are classes offered? Classes are online, typically on your own time.

Is there an internship requirement? No

How long does it typically take students to complete the program? Typically, one year (two or three semesters) for part-time students

Does this program prepare students for certification? No

How flexible is the curriculum? Students take five required courses.

Is this program offered at UH at Sugar Land? No

What is the cost? Please use the UH tuition calculator for an estimate, and check University fees, College fees and course fees. Please note that students in certification-only or certificate programs are not eligible for most financial aid, though loans or employer assistance may be available.

Principal Certification Only

Department of Educational Leadership & Policy Studies 

What materials are required to apply?

• ApplyWeb online application
• Transcripts
• Statement of interest
• Resume or Curriculum Vitae
• Letters of recommendation: 3
• Supplemental documentation: Copy of valid Texas teaching certification and a copy of district service record
• GPA requirement: Minimum 2.6 for undergraduate coursework per College standards
• Test scores NOT required

Prerequisites (beyond having a bachelor’s degree): Applicants must have a master’s degree as well as a valid Texas teaching certification and a minimum of two years of creditable teaching experience.

Program format: Hybrid (mix of in-person and online classes)

Can I work full time and be a student in this program? Yes. The program is designed for working professionals.

What time are classes offered? Evenings, usually 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Is there an internship requirement? Yes. A three-semester internship (160 clock hours) is required under the guidance of a site supervisor certified as a Texas principal.

Is there a practicum requirement? Yes. A three-semester practicum (160 clock hours) is required under the guidance of a site supervisor certified as a Texas principal.

How long does it typically take students to complete the program? Typically, three semesters

Does this program prepare students for certification? Yes. This program prepares students to seek certification as school principal in Texas. In addition, UH candidates can complete an AEL (Advancing Educational Leadership) and T-TESS (Texas Teacher Educator Support System) certifications.

How flexible is the curriculum? The program is aligned to state standards and thus is not flexible.

What is the student-faculty ratio? About 15:1

Is this program offered at UH at Sugar Land? Yes

What is the cost? Please use the UH tuition calculator for an estimate, and check University fees, College fees and course fees. Please note that students in certification-only or certificate programs are not eligible for most financial aid, though loans or employer assistance may be available.