3 educators deep in conversation. Across the bottom of the image, a text banner reads: "Engage. Grow. Advance. Lead."

Center for Educator Success

About

The Center for Educator Success (CES), a division of the Harris County Department of Education (HCDE), prepares aspiring educators to become highly effective classroom teachers through innovative, practice-based teacher certification pathways.
CES partners with school districts across the Houston region to address teacher shortages, strengthen educator pipelines, and support you from recruitment through certification and classroom success. Their certification program is designed to provide high-quality instruction, personalized coaching, robust certification exam support and real-world classroom preparation.
At CES, they believe great teachers change lives. Their mission is to equip future educators (you!) with the knowledge, skills and support necessary to thrive in today’s classrooms while making a lasting impact on students and communities.

For program information, partnership opportunities or admissions support, candidates and district partners are encouraged to connect with the CES team directly through email at .

Government/Nonprofit organization
Houston

Institution Links

"For my first year in the classroom, the support I received helped me with classroom management. I wanted to become a teacher and make a difference. Now I get to do that, and that's all thanks to Harris County. To go through a certification program like the one that Harris County provides, you're not going to find a better one."

Timothy Payne, Channelview ISD

"There is a support system here like no other. The leadership team really took great measures to make sure we felt like a family and that we felt included, and that we were in a safe learning environment."

Tonya Woodridge-Jarvis, Cy-Fair ISD

"During the summer intensive, we do a mock lesson in front of our peers and advisors. No matter how many modules we complete, when you are out there, performing, you have to know how to engage kids. I honestly don't know where I will be without this program."

Rebecca Alpuche, Spring ISD

Timothy Payne, Channelview ISD

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Center for Educator Success

Programs

Certification-only

Teacher Certification Program (Hybrid)

Start Checklist

From 15 to 16 months
Program Duration
Hybrid
Program Format
Pre-Test Required
No

Relevant Links

Program

Program Info

The Center for Educator Success strives to provide the highest quality instruction and support educators enrolled in the teacher certification program. Coursework takes place in classroom and blended settings, with instructors who are content and pedagogy experts. As a teacher candidate, you will also spend time observing practicing classroom teachers in partnership schools before your paid internship begins.

Throughout the program, you will be actively involved with the subject matter content and will be provided a mentor at your campus. During the critical one-year internship period, you will be supported by experienced field supervisors who will assist you in content knowledge and instructional skills.

This hybrid pathway offers flexibility while maintaining high levels of support and instructional quality.

This pathway combines:
-Online coursework with scheduled live instruction on evenings and Saturdays
-Practice-based assignments and coaching
-Monthly progress monitoring
-Personalized advisor support
-Certification exam preparation and tutoring
The CES Hybrid Pathway is designed using Quality Matters-aligned practices to ensure candidates receive engaging, high-quality instruction in a flexible format.

This pathway is best for:
-if you are a working professional or a career-changer
-you need scheduling flexibility
-if you are self-directed and seek a blended learning environment

Upcoming Deadlines

Deadlines
Program Start

May 24, 2027
Summer
Aug. 09, 2027
Fall

Get Deadline Reminders

Application Fee & Annual Tuition

Learn how to get$100 Back
and apply for a$1000 Scholarship

$4,000
In State Tuition
$250
Application Fee

Certifications

English Language Arts 4-8
English Language Arts 7-12
English as a Second Language Pre-K-6
Life Science 7-12
Mathematics 4-8
Mathematics 7-12
Science 4-8
Science 7-12
Special Education Pre-K-12

Get Started

Dig deeper. Visit Center for Educator Success's website to learn more and apply.