College of Education

Building on a solid base of liberal arts and general studies, the College of Education (COE) seeks to produce thoughtful, skilled and humane educators. Numerous plans are available to help students develop into highly qualified professionals.

The COE offers an extensive choice of certification plans in undergraduate specializations. Many alumni find employment in a variety of educational settings, while others pursue careers in industry, government, independent practice or consulting. Plans in the COE are fully approved by the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC)/Texas Education Agency (TEA).

The COE believes that teaching, learning and educational leadership should be learner centered. Whether referring to university pre-service teachers, in-service teachers pursuing advanced studies, others in professional educator roles or the learners influenced by these educators, the focus of teaching and learning is on the learner. This conceptual framework guides the way in which the COE structures its courses and degree plans. This is reflected in the COE mission statement. It is also the central theme reinforced in classes. The vision of the COE is of a learner-centered community in which success for all students is paramount.

Mission

The mission of the COE is to prepare outstanding educators and leaders in education through the achievement of the highest standards of knowledge, skills and dispositions to assist all students in learning. The mission is accomplished by promoting:

Excellence and innovation in learner-centered teaching and learning for all.
The value and understanding of all types of diversity.
Professional and personal integrity.
Effective use of technologies.
Partnerships with and service to the community.
Ongoing assessment for both candidate and program improvement.
Research to expand the knowledge base for teaching and learning.

Although each of these is critically central to the goals and directions of the COE at UHCL, the first, promoting excellence and innovation in learner-centered teaching and learning for all, is the most succinct statement of what the faculty within the COE value.

Departments

Contact Us

Office of the Dean
Phone: 281-283-3501
Web: www.uhcl.edu/education
Bayou Building 1231

Office of the Associate Dean
Phone: 281-283-3620
Bayou Building 1231

Office of Academic Advising
Phone: 281-283-3600
Email: education@uhcl.edu
Web: www.uhcl.edu/education/advising
Bayou Building 1231

Center for Professional Development of Teachers (CPDT)
Phone: 281-283-3612
Bayou Building 1231

Center for Educational Programs (CEP)
Phone: 281-283-3529
Arbor Building 1300

Office of Educator Certification
Phone: 281-283-3618
Bayou Building 1231

Office of State Assessments
Phone: 281-283-3623
Bayou Building 1231

Research Center for Language and Culture
Phone: 281-283-3580
Bayou Building 1325

Learning Resources Review Center
Phone: 281-283-3900
Bayou Building 3402

New Teachers Online
(NTOL)

Accreditation and Accountability

University of Houston-Clear Lake is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Unique to education itself are other accrediting and accountability bodies with strict guidelines and standards that must be met in order for the College of Education to recommend educators for Texas educator certification.

Department of Education Accountability

In 1998, Congress reauthorized Title II of the Higher Education Act. The act established a reporting system for the U.S. Department of Education (USDE) to collect information annually on the quality of the teacher training programs of states and institutions of higher education. Within Title II, the USDE mandates federal accountability measures to determine how well all higher education institutions prepare teachers, what states require of individuals before they are allowed to teach and how institutions and states are raising their standards to provide “highly qualified” educators.

For additional data about UHCL in relation to other EPPs in the nation, see the US Department of Education Title II, Institution Progress Report Card web page at title2.ed.gov.

SBEC/TEA Accreditation

University of Houston-Clear Lake is one of 129 Educator Preparation Programs in the State of Texas that are accredited to recommend educators for certificates. The State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC)/Texas Education Agency (TEA) implements stringent guidelines and standards for initial and advanced levels of educator certification. TEA did not rate/accredit EPPs during 2020 due to the Covid-19-related Declared State of Disaster.

Policy on Professional Dispositions

Students who are seeking teacher certification or who are enrolled in the College of Education are required to read the Statement on Professional Dispositions, Disposition Expectations Checklist, and Disposition Resolution Process, which defines the behavioral standards the COE expects of its students. Students may be withdrawn from their program for not meeting the academic requirements, after a review process. They may also be withdrawn for not meeting the professional disposition standards following the disposition resolution process. The Statement on Professional Dispositions is found at www.uhcl.edu/education/student-resources.

Field-Based Experience Courses

There are many COE courses that require field-based experiences. Students in these courses are required to spend part of their time off campus– in most cases, in school classrooms. The state of Texas requires each of these students to pass a criminal background check before being allowed in the classroom for the field-based experience. It is the student’s responsibility to meet this requirement, as field-based experience is key to those designated courses.

Criminal Background Checks

As required by Texas Senate Bill 9, a school will conduct a criminal background check on each student before the student is allowed in the school for a field-based experience. In order for the criminal background check to be conducted, each student must complete all required documentation. Part of the documentation will require that each student provide his/her social security number and driver’s license number. If a student does not have a driver’s license, other official numbers (visa, passport, etc.) may be required at the discretion of the school district. The criminal background check is conducted for each field-based experience course each semester and for each district in which the student is completing a field-based experience. If a student is denied access to a district based on the criminal background check, the student will not receive credit for the course. The student will not be able to register for any further field-based experience course until the situation has been corrected. For information on the Code of Ethics for Texas educators, refer to the Texas Administrative Code Web site.

The state of Texas (by House Bill 1508 in 2017), the Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB), the Texas Education Agency (TEA) and the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) require that an educator preparation program inform all certification program applicants and candidates about the State’s rules on criminal background checks from the Texas Occupation Code Chapter 53, the Texas Education Code Chapter 22.0831 and the Texas Administrative Code, part VII, Chapter 227, Subchapter B.

Annually the UHCL Registrar sends out an email to all UHCL students enrolled in a certificate/license program at UHCL informing them of the state’s rules and requirements.

In addition, the College of Education requires all students entering a UHCL educator certificate program to confirm in writing that the candidate read and was informed by COE of the following:

An individual who has been convicted of an offense or received deferred adjudication may be ineligible for the issuance of an educator certificate upon completion of an educational program.
TEA will conduct a national criminal history check on the candidate when the candidate applies for an educator certificate and throughout the candidate’s educator career.
The candidate has read TEA’s National Criminal History Checks-FAQs at: https://tea.texas.gov/texas-educators/investigations/national-criminal-history-checks-faqs
The candidate understands that the candidate may request a Preliminary Criminal History Evaluation from TEA if the candidate has any reason to believe that the candidate may be ineligible for educator certification due to a conviction or deferred adjudication for a felony or misdemeanor offense, per Texas Occupation Code Section 53.102 http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/Docs/OC/htm/OC.53.htm. The candidate has read TEA’s Preliminary Criminal History Evaluation-FAQs at: https://tea.texas.gov/Texas_Educators/Investigations/Preliminary_Criminal_History_Evaluation-FAQs/
The candidate has read the current guidelines issued by SBEC on the following:

Disciplinary Policy Guidelines
Educator Discipline- FAQs - https://tea.texas.gov/Texas_Educators/Investigations/Educator_Discipline_-_FAQs/

Centers and Offices

Center for Professional Development of Teachers (CPDT)

The College of Education has been designated as a Center for Professional Development of Teachers (CPDT). The teacher preparation plan has been restructured to provide extensive school-based experiences for prospective educators. These expanded experiences include a two-semester internship/clinical teaching, field-based experience courses and close cooperation with a number of schools that have been designated as Professional Development School (PDS) sites. These sites operate under the philosophy that every staff member is a mentor, providing a rich and supportive environment for the preparation of professional educators. The CPDT coordinates field-based experiences and collaborates with the Center for Educational Programs (CEP) in providing a wide array of professional development opportunities. The CPDT also provides technological support and professional development for all Internship I and Internship II/Clinical Teaching candidates.

Field-based experiences and graduate internships and practicums take place in a variety of settings in 35 local school districts. Fifty-five schools have been designated as PDSs and provide pre-service internships and professional mentoring. In addition, the COE has an additional 133 affiliation agreements with other businesses and other school districts to provide both graduate internship/practicum placement and field-based experiences. All placement sites must have an approved UHCL Agreement of Affiliation on record with the CPDT office prior to beginning the practicum.

Professional Development Laboratory School (PDLS)

University of Houston-Clear Lake (UHCL) and Clear Creek Independent School District (CCISD) have entered into a partnership to maintain a Professional Development Laboratory School (PDLS). The PDLS is located at McWhirter Elementary School in Webster, Texas, and opened at the beginning of the 2002-2003 school year.

The College of Education acts on behalf of the university to oversee the PDLS. UHCL faculty provide instructional leadership, conduct research and engage in professional development. In addition, some COE courses are taught at the PDLS campuses. The main focus of the PDLS is to provide educational opportunities for UHCL and CCISD faculty, students and the school community. Faculty and students interested in being involved in the PDLS should contact the COE associate dean.

Center for Educational Programs (CEP)

The Center for Educational Programs provides academic and outreach services to students, faculty, schools, school districts, other educational entities and members of the community. The CEP coordinates the College of Education’s clinical services, provides facilities and coordination for laboratory experiences, supports a broad range of programs for children and youth, offers non-credit courses for area educators, assists local schools and school districts in emerging and ongoing professional development activities and promotes and supports various projects of the COE.

Office of Academic Advising

This office provides information about the College of Education degree requirements, advises all undergraduate and post-degree teacher certification students seeking initial teaching certificates, analyzes transcripts, performs student audits prior to admission to Pre-Service Internship I and the Alternative Certification Program (ACP) and prepares students’ degree and certification plans. The office also advises prospective graduate students in the various COE plans and assigns them faculty advisers.

Office of Educator Certification

Questions about state educator certification policies and regulations should be directed to this office. It maintains all official certification records for the College of Education. This office also approves applications for admission to the Teacher Education Program (TEP); audits for the Master’s Comprehensive examination and graduation; recommends students for educator certificates; and tracks data for Title II and the Accountability Standards for Educator Preparation (TEA Accreditation).

Office of State Assessments

The Office of State Assessments advises and disseminates information to students about the state teacher certification exams, which are called Texas Examinations of Educator Standards (TExES). Candidates must pass their required TExES in order to become public school educators in the state of Texas. The Office of State Assessments gives test approval to eligible students and keeps a record of students’ exam scores. It communicates information pertaining to state assessments, such as study resources, practice test information and registration instructions, and notification of any changes or updates from the Texas Education Agency (TEA) regarding the TExES. The College of Education State Assessments Coordinator networks with UHCL faculty and staff, as well as with the Educational Testing Service (ETS), Pearson, and TEA, to maintain accurate testing procedures and requirements.

Research Center for Language and Culture

This center supports initiatives in the research and development of educational programs for students working with second-language learners and their families. Funded projects have included teacher training, bilingual counselor training and bilingual administrator training.

Learning Resources Review Center

This center is jointly sponsored by the Alfred R. Neumann Library and the College of Education and houses current children’s books furnished by the generosity of publishers and producers of books and materials. The primary function of the center is to encourage review activities.

Certification

Alternative Certification Program (ACP)

The University of Houston-Clear Lake College of Education Alternative Certification Program (ACP), in cooperation with UHCL member school districts, is a training program that provides the opportunity for initial teacher certification students who have earned bachelor’s degrees to be employed as full-time teachers while they complete their certifications. The length of the program may be from one to three years depending on students’ qualifications. According to the USDE and NCLB, each school district must ensure that all teachers who teach core academic subjects funded by Title I funds are “highly qualified.” Uncertified educators are able to meet this “highly qualified” definition by:

Holding a Bachelor’s Degree or higher from an approved institution.
Being admitted to a State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) approved ACP.
Passing the state assessments required for the certification area being sought.

Admission Requirements for Alternative Certification Program (ACP)

Students must have the following:

Admitted to UHCL as a post-baccalaureate teacher certification or graduate teacher certification student.
Thirty documented clock hours of K-12 experience observation.
2.750 GPA, overall or in the last 60 hours of coursework may be accepted (includes all coursework in the semester of the 60th hour)
Must hold a Bachelor’s Degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution.
Must apply and be admitted to the UHCL Teacher Education Program (TEP) prior to being permitted to enroll in the first semester.
- Basic skills in reading, mathematics and writing requirement
- Public speaking requirement
- 2.750 GPA overall or over the 60 semester credit hours
- Must take and pass the Pre-Admissions Content Test (PACT) that corresponds to the teacher certification being pursued.
- $37 TEP Application Fee
Apply to the UHCL Alternative Certification Program (ACP) ($60 application fee)
Must pass the following state assessments before the end of the first summer semester enrolled in the program.
Must pass the following state assessment by the end of the second spring semester enrolled in the program.
- Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities EC-12 TExES #160

The teaching position must be with one of the UHCL CPDT Teacher Center Executive Board member districts listed below:

Alvin
Angleton
Brazosport
Channelview
Clear Creek
Columbia-Brazoria
Dayton
Deer Park
Dickinson
Galena Park
Galveston
Goose Creek
Hitchcock
Houston
La Porte
Pasadena
Santa Fe
Texas City

Qualified Alternative Certification Program (ACP) Students

Upon acceptance, qualified students will complete the following steps:

Apply for probationary or intern certificate at http://tea.texas.gov/.
Pay a non-refundable fee of $1500 invoiced through CPDT. Students will pay additional fees if a second and/or third year is necessary.
Complete all requirements listed on certification plan.

General Certification Information

In accordance with the rules of the State Board of Education, students applying for a standard teaching certificate in the State of Texas must meet the requirements for a Bachelor’s Degree with an academic major (other than education) or an interdisciplinary academic major. The major must be related to the public school curriculum as defined by Chapter 74 of the Texas Administrative Code.

Students seeking a certification recommendation must have at least a 3.000 overall GPA in Pedagogy coursework and at least a 2.500 overall GPA in the content area for which the recommendation is sought. Grades of C- or better are necessary for all UHCL course requirements. Pre-Service Internship I requires a grade of B- or better.

A State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) rule (Title 19, Part 7, Chapter 249) gives the board the authority to suspend or revoke a teaching certificate or refuse to issue a teaching certificate to a person who has been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor that directly relates to the duties and responsibilities of the teaching profession. For additional actions that may be taken by the board, see Rule 249.

SBEC and TEA require all educator preparation students, faculty, staff, field supervisors and advisory committee (TCC) members to be trained in and adhere to the Texas Educators’ Code of Ethics. See Texas Administrative Code, Title 19, Part 7, Chapter 228.50. Training may be provided online or in a classroom setting. Candidates will receive training prior to student teaching, internship or practicum.

State Assessments Information

The Texas Education Agency (TEA) has developed comprehensive exams called Texas Examinations of Educator Standards (TExES) to ensure that each educator has the content and professional knowledge necessary for an entry-level position in Texas public schools. All initial certification students must pass a pedagogy exam and at least one content exam, depending on their certification area. To determine which state assessments are required for a certificate, candidates should check their degree or certification plan.

Initial certification students at UHCL will be eligible to register to take the first attempt of their state assessments on any of the test administration dates under the following conditions:

Must have an approved and signed degree or certification plan on file in the COE that matches the state assessments for which they are registering.
Must be formally admitted to the Teacher Education Program (TEP).
Must earn credit (CR) in TCED 4100 or TCED 4102 by fulfilling all requirements of that course.
Must pass a representative practice exam for each TExES certification exam.

Students who meet the above conditions may register for the state assessments by completing the following steps:

Set up a TEA account at http://tea.texas.gov. Note: This account will need to be updated, as needed, throughout the candidate’s educator career.
Make a note of the TEA ID number from the TEA account.
Log onto the Pearson website at https://www.tx.nesinc.com/ and set up a New User account. Students should use the exact personal information for this account as in their TEA account. Follow directions for registering for an exam using the TEA ID number retrieved from the TEA account. All test registrations are to be done online, unless the test taker has no way of paying the test fees electronically, in which case registration may be done by telephone at 1-800-877-4599.

Texas Education Agency (TEA)

For additional information on state certification, contact the Texas Education Agency (TEA) through its website at http://tea.texas.gov, or its Information and Support Center number at 1-512-936-8400. Any changes made by the State and University of Houston-Clear Lake (UHCL) in interpreting the rulings on educator certification plans in Texas may supersede the requirements of existing certification plans, degree plans or alternative certification plans.

Applying for Certification

All students completing requirements for certificates must apply for certification and pay the required fee at the Educator Certification Online System by logging into their TEA login accounts. Verification of certification will automatically be issued to an educator electronically by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) as soon as all requirements have been completed.

Per TEA, a certification candidate cannot be recommended for certification by an Educator Preparation Program unless both the field supervisor and cooperating teacher (site supervisor for advanced certificates) agree that the candidate should be recommended for certification. The clinical teaching experience, internship or practicum may have to be repeated to ensure this success.

Complaint Resolution Procedures

For issues or complaints, contact the College of Education Office of Academic Advising by email, education@uhcl.edu or phone, 281-283-3600. If the issue is not resolved, contact the College of Education, Office of the Associate Dean.

For further issues or complaints about this educator preparation program, see the UHCL COE “Complaint Procedures” under General Information, at www.uhcl.edu/education/student-resources.

For steps to follow in contacting the Texas Education Agency with a complaint about this EPP, see http://tea.texas.gov/About_TEA/Contact_Us/complaints/complaints/.

Plans with Teacher Certification

The College of Education has been designated by the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) as a Center for Professional Development of Teachers (CPDT). The CPDT provides, in collaboration with area school districts, teacher preparation and professional development in partnership schools and promotes integration of technology in public school instruction.

The undergraduate plan in Education leads to the Bachelor of Science degree. Students wishing to pursue this degree may choose one of the following:

Core Subjects EC-6 (Early Childhood Concentration)
Core Subjects EC-6 (Reading Concentration)
Core Subjects EC-6 with Bilingual Supplemental
Core Subjects EC-6 with EC-12 Special Education
Core Subjects EC-6 with ESL Supplemental
Core Subjects 4-8
Core Subjects with ESL Supplemental 4-8
Science 4-8
Social Studies 4-8

Undergraduate students seeking either 4-8, 7-12 or EC-12 certification in conjunction with an academic degree in another UHCL college (the College of Human Sciences and Humanities [HSH] or the College of Science and Engineering [CSE]) must seek their degree plans in the appropriate college.

The staff in the COE Office of Academic Advising advises all students seeking the bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies, initial certification, supplemental certificates, professional certificates and UHCL certificates. Teacher education students pursuing bachelor’s degrees in other colleges also must be advised about certification plan requirements by the COE Office of Academic Advising. These students should also contact the academic advisers in the colleges in which they are pursuing degrees.

Plans without Teacher Certification

In addition to undergraduate programs that include teacher certification preparation, the College of Education also offers the following undergraduate degrees that do not include teacher certification:

The staff of the COE Office of Academic Advising advises all students seeking the bachelor’s degrees listed above.

Admission to the Teacher Education Program (TEP)

In order to enroll in pedagogy coursework, students must be formally admitted to the Teacher Education Program (TEP) See “Teacher Education Program Application”. Admission to the TEP is contingent on the following:

Meeting basic skills in reading, mathematics and writing by completing one of the following:
SAT - (within 5 years) Prior to 03/01/16: Cumulative score verbal/math 1070 minimum, verbal: 500 minimum, and math: 500 minimum. After 02/29/16: Evidence-based reading /writing: 480minimum, and math: 530 minimum.
Baccalaureate degree - or higher awarded by a regionally accredited U.S. institution of higher education.
Core Complete - completed the requirements of the Texas General Education Core Curriculum.
ACT college readiness scores - (within 5 years) Composite score: 23 minimum, English: 19 minimum, math: 19 minimum.
STAAR End of Course exams - (within 3 years) English III reading score (Level II 2000 minimum), English III writing score (Level II 2000 minimum), Algebra II score (Level II 4000 minimum).
TSI Assessment - Math ≥ 350; reading ≥ 351; writing ≥ 5 or 4 with a 363 on multiple choice.
Achieving a grade of “C-” or better in EDUC 4310 , SILC 4315 and INST 3313 ; and completing TCED 4100 /TCED 4102 with a CR credit, if an undergraduate.
Completion of a college-level public speaking course with a grade of C- or better or submitting a Speech Competency form.
Achieving a GPA ≥ 2.750 overall or in the last 60 semester credit hours.
Completion of at least 60 hours of courses from the degree plan.
Completion of a minimum of 12 semester credit hours (15 semester credit hours if pursuing mathematics or science) in the subject-specific content area for the certificate being pursued.
Submitting a one-page paper describing personal characteristics and previous experiences to be evaluated for certificate appropriateness.
Reading and understanding the handout, “Seven Things to Know Before Becoming an Educator.”
Pay the TEA $37 Admission Fee.
For post-baccalaureate student educator candidates educated in countries where English is not the native language, demonstrating English proficiency by taking all four parts of the TOEFL-iBT with scores of 24 on the speaking portion, 22 on listening, 22 on reading, and 21 on writing. Transcripts must be evaluated course by course by a TEA-approved foreign credential service, if post-baccalaureate.
Confirming in writing that the student is aware that a person who has been convicted of an offense or received deferred adjudication may be ineligible for certification; and that the student has read the state rules on criminal background checks. Complete the Educator’s Code of Ethics Training and turn in a copy of the certificate of completion.
Submitting the TEP application with all required documents to the Office of Educator Certification inB-1231. The application is available online at the UHCL website in the COE Forms and Info section.
Receive formal approval of the application for admission and accept admission to the program.

Undergraduates must successfully complete the course, TCED 4100 /TCED 4102 , prior to TEP admission. Prior to admission to the TEP, the student will establish an initial profile with the TEA.

The final authority for admission and retention in the TEP resides with the dean of the COE.

Certification-seeking candidates who withdraw from the UHCL certification program or are discontinued by the university as certification seeking and wish to re-enter must reapply to the university and to the COE certification program. Teacher certification candidates who were formerly admitted to TEP and want to re-enter it must reapply to TEP, meet all and any new admission requirements and pay the TEA Admission fee again per TEA.

Conditional Admission to the TEP

Students enrolled in and attending one or more of the prerequisite courses and/or one or more courses needed to complete the core curriculum may be granted conditional admission to the TEP, contingent upon successful completion of said enrolled course(s).

Admission to Pre-Service Internships I and II for Degree-Seeking Students

TCED 4378 , Pre-Service Internship I and TCED 4978 , Pre-Service Internship II/Clinical Teaching are the capstone experiences for UHCL-approved Teacher Education Program (TEP). Students must enroll in consecutive long semesters (fall/spring or spring/fall) to complete these two experiences. The rules governing TCED 4378 and TCED 4978 are identical. Pre-Service Internship I is every Wednesday of the public school semester. Pre-Service Internship II/Clinical Teaching is every day of the public school semester. Enrollment in Pre-Service Internship I should not be considered until almost all content and basic certification courses have been successfully completed since the number of semester hours in the Pre-Service Internship I teaching semester is restricted to 12. Specific requirements for Pre-Service Internships I and II/Clinical Teaching are listed below.

Students must apply for Pre-Service Internship I through the COE Advising office. Applications for Pre-Service Internship I must be received by March 1 for fall internship and by October 1 for spring internship. Pre-Service Internships I and II/Clinical Teaching are not offered in the summer. Students complete the Internship I application found at https://www.uhcl.edu/education/student-resources/.

Current Internship I candidates do not need to apply for Internship II/Clinical Teaching II. The COE Advising Office will automatically conduct an audit of all Internship I candidates” academic records at the end of each semester to determine candidates” eligibility for Internship II/Clinical Teaching.

Pedagogy coursework must be taken prior to or concurrently with Pre-Service Internship I. The Office of Academic Advising will perform audits to establish students’ eligibility for these experiences. Audits are work copies only.

Pre-Service Internship I (TCED 4378)

All students must meet the following requirements for admission to Pre-Service Internship I:

Formal admission to the Teacher Education Program (TEP) (See above).
Field-based experience courses must be satisfactorily completed prior to or taken concurrently with Pre-Service Internship I. Students are not allowed to take more than two courses which include field-based experience concurrently with Internship I.
Any Wednesday courses taken concurrently with Pre-Service Internship I cannot be scheduled earlier than 7:00 p.m.
For those certifications requiring TCED 4323 or TCED 4333 , successful completion of MATH 1351 is a prerequisite. See catalog for prerequisites for all pedagogy courses.
TCED 4100 /TCED 4102 must be taken prior to consideration for Internship I (TCED 4378 ) unless all required state assessments have been passed.
Applications for Pre-Service Internship I must be received in the COE Advising office before the close of business on March 1 for fall internship and by October 1 for spring internship. If the application deadline falls on a weekend or a university holiday, applications will be accepted before the close of business on the following working day.
Upon acceptance into TCED 4378, students will be placed on the district’s substitute list. As required by Texas Senate Bill 9, the district will conduct a criminal background check on each student. In order for the criminal background check to be conducted, each student will be required to complete all required documentation. Part of the documentation will require that each student provide his/her social security number and driver’s license number. If a student does not have a driver’s license number, the state identification number must be provided.

Admission to Pre-Service Internship I is contingent upon eligibility for entering Pre-Service Internship II/Clinical teaching the following consecutive long semester. If the student has not passed the required state certification exams prior to the following consecutive long semester, the student will enter Internship II/Clinical teaching the following semester after the required state certification exams have been passed. Students will be informed of their public school internship assignments before Pre-Service Internship I begins.

Intern I participants must pass all Texas Examinations of Educator Standards (TExES) to be eligible for Internship II/Clinical teaching.

Pre-Service Internship II/Clinical Teaching (TCED 4978)

Students must meet the following requirements for admission to Pre-Service Internship II/Clinical Teaching:

All Texas Examinations of Educator Standards (TExES) exams must be passed to be eligible for Internship II/Clinical Teaching.
Successful completion of Pre-Service Internship I with a grade of B- or better.
Successful completion of all field-based experiences courses.
It is strongly recommended that Internship II/Clinical Teaching be taken alone in the final semester. No more than three additional semester hours may be taken during Pre-Service Internship II/Clinical Teaching (TCED 4978 ). Any additional courses must meet no earlier than 7 p.m., as they may interfere with Internship II/Clinical Teaching course requirements. See adviser for acceptable coursework.

Students denied admission to Pre-Service Internships I or Internship II/Clinical Teaching may reapply but must do so by stated deadlines for subsequent semesters.

UHCL Program for Education Aides (Paraprofessionals)

The Texas Administrative Code 228.32 (k) states that candidates employed as certified educational aides may satisfy their clinical teaching assignment requirements through their instructional duties.

UHCL College of Education lists Requirements for Participation in the Paraprofessional Program:

Must have at least one year of experience as an instructional paraprofessional (aide).
Must hold an Educational (Paraprofessional) Aide Certificate issued by SBEC.
Current job assignments must be in the certification area being sought.
Principal approval is needed to participate in Internship I (Wednesday only) and Internship II/Clinical Teaching (Monday-Friday) while completing paraprofessional campus duties.

The academic plans are individualized for each student as well as each paraprofessional’s Internship I and Internship II/Clinical Teaching experience.

Post-Degree Teacher Certification Plans

Students seeking initial teacher certification and who hold at least a Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited university can choose from two sets of programs. Students wishing to combine their pursuit of initial teacher certification with the pursuit of a Master’s Degree can follow a graduate teacher certification program (see the UHCL Graduate Catalog). Students who do not wish to pursue a Master’s Degree can follow a post-baccalaureate teacher certification program. Students pursuing a second Bachelor’s Degree are also considered to be post-baccalaureate students.

Although it is not necessary for students holding at least a Bachelor’s Degree and seeking initial teacher certification to pursue a second Bachelor’s Degree, those who wish to do so must meet the university’s lower-level requirements in addition to the requirements for both teacher certification and the second degree, unless such requirements were met through the completion of the first Bachelor’s Degree. These lower-level requirements are described in the Core section of the catalog.

Post-Baccalaureate Teacher Certification Plans

To be eligible for admission to a post-baccalaureate teacher certification plan, students must hold a Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited university and meet the university admissions requirements for post-baccalaureate students. Post-baccalaureate students are considered undergraduate students; therefore, they must maintain undergraduate academic standards and pay undergraduate tuition and fees. Post-baccalaureate teacher certification students are not eligible to enroll in graduate courses, and coursework taken toward earning initial teacher certification may not be applied to a Master’s Degree.

Post-Baccalaureate Teacher Certification Testing Options

Per the Texas Education Agency (TEA), all individuals are required to pass the appropriate teacher certification exams prior to entering a classroom as a teacher. UHCL provides two testing options for post-baccalaureate teacher certification students.

General Information:

Take the content certification state assessments as Pre-Admission Content Tests (PACT) before admission to the Teacher Education Program (TEP).
Students are not permitted to fulfill any test preparation requirements prior to taking the PACT state assessments.
Students are not permitted to participate in any UHCL-sponsored test preparation workshops prior to being admitted to the TEP.
During the first semester, students must enroll in EDUC 4310 , INST 3313 and SILC 4315 and apply to the TEP after passing all content state assessments as PACTs. (The Texas Education Agency (TEA) does not allow post-degree teacher certification students to take additional courses prior to being admitted to the TEP).
After admission to the TEP, students can continue to take required coursework and take all state assessments after admission to the TEP.
For students seeking a 4-8 or 7-12 certification, all content area coursework will be waived. (No coursework will be waived for students seeking an EC-6 certification).
Students must meet all current UHCL COE state assessment requirements prior to attempting the Pedagogy and Professional Responsibility state assessment.

Option 1: Alternative Certification Program Internship (ACP)

Follow Post Baccalaureate Teacher Certification Plan for course requirements.
Pay the $60 application fee (non-refundable).
Must pass all required state assessments, be admitted to TEP, and have 30 clock hours of field experience before admission to ACP.
Must have an overall GPA of a 2.500 in college coursework, or a 2.500 in the most recent 60 hours.
Must meet posted ACP program and application deadlines.
One- to three-year, supervised, paid internship. Candidate must secure a full-time teaching position with a UHCL member district as a Teacher of Record in the area and at the level of certification being sought.
Register for ACP Internship course each fall and spring semester.
All certification coursework must be completed within three years.
Supervision by University Supervisor and school-district-trained public school mentor.
Receive full-time pay, minus undergraduate tuition and fees and $1500 program fee ($450 for 3^rd semester and beyond, if necessary).
Refer to the College of Education’s ACP website for additional information: www.uhcl.edu/education.

Option 2 - Pre-Service Internship/Student (Clinical) Teaching

Follow Post-Baccalaureate Teacher Certification Plan for coursework requirements.
Complete one-year internship (TCED 4378 /TCED 4978 ) taken the last two semesters.
Fall or spring semester start date.
Must meet internship application deadlines: March 1 for fall internship and October 1 for spring internship.
All courses that include field-based experience must be completed prior to the start of TCED 4978 .
No more than 6 hours coursework without field experience may be taken with TCED 4978 .
Supervision by UHCL University facilitator, UHCL-trained professional development site supervisor and public-school mentor.
Highly mentored and supported program by 15-member school districts and UHCL faculty.
Complete unpaid internship experience.
No content coursework will be waived. Students must complete all required coursework.

UHCL Alternative Certification Program (ACP)

To be eligible for admission to a UHCL Alternative Certification Program (ACP) plan, students must hold a Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited university and meet the university admissions requirements for post-baccalaureate students. Post-baccalaureate students are considered undergraduate students; therefore, they must maintain undergraduate academic standards and pay undergraduate tuition and fees. Post-baccalaureate teacher certification students are not eligible to enroll in graduate courses, and coursework taken toward earning initial teacher certification may not be applied to a Master’s Degree.

In addition, to be eligible for admission to the UHCL ACP, students must pass the Pre-Admissions Content Test (PACT) for the certification being pursued.

Graduate Teacher Certification Plans

To be eligible for admission to a graduate teacher certification plan, students must hold a Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited university and also be pursuing a Master’s Degree. Students must meet the graduate admissions requirements for both the university and the College of Education. These requirements are described in the graduate catalog.

Graduate teacher certification students are considered graduate students; therefore, they must maintain graduate academic standards and pay graduate tuition rates. Some courses listed on the graduate teacher certification plans can also be applied to the pursuit of a master’s degree.