Teacher Certification Program

    What is Teacher Certification?

    • Harris County Department of Education provides the highest quality instruction and support for educators enrolled in our teacher alternative certification program. 

      Coursework sessions are conducted in classroom and blended settings with instructors who are content and pedagogy experts. Teacher candidates also spend time observing practicing classroom teachers in partnership schools before their paid internship begins and attending Summer Intensive in their pre-service year with CES. 

      Throughout the program, candidates are actively involved with the subject matter content and are provided a mentor at their campus. During the critical one-year internship period, candidates are supported by experienced field supervisors who assist them in content knowledge and instructional skills, leading to increased student achievement.

    Requirements for Admission

    • For an applicant who will be seeking an initial certificate in the classroom teacher class of certificate, the applicant shall have successfully completed, prior to admission and have earned a minimum 2.5 GPA with at least:

      1. a minimum of 12 semester credit hours in the subject-specific content area for the certification sought, unless certification sought is for mathematics or science at or above Grade 7;

        OR

      2. 15 semester credit hours in the subject-specific content area for the certification sought if the certification sought is for mathematics or science at or above Grade 7 TAC 227 (4) (A) (B)

       

      TAC 227.10 (3)

      For an undergraduate university program, alternative certification program, or post-baccalaureate program, to be eligible for admission into an EPP, an applicant shall have a grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.5 before admission.

    Requirements for Program Completion

      • Complete a minimum of 300 hours of coursework
        • inclusive of 25 supervised and 25 unsupervised observation hours
      • Complete 5 formal and 6 informal observations
      • Successfully pass all required TExES exams
      • Complete a successful background check
      • Pay all programmatic and certification fees

    Exit Policy

    • The maximum time allowed for program completion is two years. An inactive candidate is defined as TAC 22831b as one who is no longer completing coursework or training with an EPP and is not a completer of the EPP. Two years from the date of the candidate’s admission to the program.  In extraordinary circumstances, the Compliance Manager may approve additional time. Applicable fees apply. 

    How to Apply

    • Before applying, make sure you have completed or have access to the following items/information: 

      REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:

      • A scanned copy of both sides of your driver’s license or other government-issued photo ID
      • An electronic copy of your resume
      • Your TEA ID number (if you have one)
      • Three professional references (include name, title, email, and phone number for each reference)

      ALSO REQUIRED:

      • Your official transcripts (these will be sent directly to us from the college/university where you received your degree)

      OPTIONAL DOCUMENTS:

      • Electronic/scanned copy of your unofficial transcripts granting your bachelor’s degree
        (This will give us a chance to begin reviewing your coursework while waiting on your official transcripts. If you have graduate degrees, be sure to include them as well.)    
      • Electronic/scanned copy of your TOEFL scores to upload (if applicable)

      Once you have gathered the required information and documents, start your application here!


      FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
      • Transcripts—Submission of all official (sealed) college transcripts—you may submit unofficial transcripts so we can get started on your transcript review, but we will need official transcripts prior to formal admission into the program (Texas law requires this). We will accept electronic transcripts if they are sent directly from the university.
      • Completion of an undergraduate or graduate degree earned at an institution of higher education in a country outside of the United States approved by the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC).

      If your transcripts are from foreign institutions, you will need to have them evaluated by a Texas Education Agency approved provider. Here’s a link to the current provider list, Certification Based on Credentials from another Country | Texas Education Agency

      • Note: Be sure to tell the evaluation company you are applying for a teacher certification program and need a course by course list with grades, credit hours and GPA, so they complete the appropriate evaluation.
      • TOEFL iBT – Individuals with degrees from universities in countries where English is not the official language must also submit TOEFL iBT scores, with passing scores of: Speaking 24; Listening 22; Reading 22; and Writing 21
        Here is the link to register for the TOEFL iBT - The TOEFL Tests (ets.org)
        Note: Individuals who have foreign degrees from countries in which English is the official language (pursuant to the Texas Administrative Code) are exempt from TOEFL iBT.

    Pre-Service Coursework

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    • Coursework Calendar 2024–2025

    Teacher Program Process, Fees, and Payment

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    • Additional Program Features

    • Areas of Certification

    • About Our Grants

    How We Help

    • CES works directly with school districts to support educators in Harris County.

      Learn More

      Contact Us for More Info

      Center for Educator Success
      Harris County Department of Education
      6300 Irvington Blvd.
      Houston, TX 77022
      Phone: 713-694-6300
      Email: CES@hcde-texas.org

    Complaint Procedure

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