Become a Certified Teacher in Texas!
Have a bachelor鈥檚 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 for our Alternative Certification Program for Aspiring Teachers.
Program Highlights
- Learn effective teaching strategies from expert faculty.
- Earn a full-time salary while working toward certification. (First-year teachers can earn $60,000 in the Houston region鈥檚 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鈥檚 degree (by start date)
- 2.50 GPA
- Interest in teaching in the participating school districts
- Don鈥檛 have a bachelor鈥檚 degree? Check out 鈥檚 B.S. in teaching and learning degree program.
Competitive Cost
- FREE to apply!
- $250 enrollment fee upon acceptance
- $6,250 program cost
Timeline
- Winter 2024
- Complete application prep work:
- Review the (sections 247.1 and 247.2)
- Estimated time:15 minutes
- Watch the (10 short videos)
- Estimated time: 1 hour
- Prepare and record your admission interview. Learn what is needed here.
- Estimated time: 20 minutes
- Review the (sections 247.1 and 247.2)
- Receive acceptance
- Enroll in ACP!
- Complete application prep work:
- 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 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
- Pass your final certification exam
- Congratulations! You are a certified teacher!
Learn More
Hear from program participants and learn more about the ACP model in this .
Questions?
Email Dr. Amber Thompson and Dr. Shea Culpepper at uhacp@central.uh.edu. Also, don鈥檛 forget to fill out the .
The ACP for Aspiring Teachers is supported by a grant from Houston Endowment.