All MAT teacher candidates take educator preparation courses from the beginning. Some courses common to all certifications include: Foundations of Multicultural Education, Survey of Individual Differences, Models of Teaching and Management Strategies for Creating a Positive Learning Environment. The final semester consists of Clinical Teaching, the capstone experience for UHCL's Master of Arts in Teaching. Additionally, teacher candidates are required to be in a public school classroom every day of the week.

UHCL's teacher preparation program offers extensive public school-based experiences for prospective educators. These expanded experiences include two semesters of internship, public school-based university coursework and close cooperation with schools designated as professional development school sites.  The year-long internship is designed to provide future educators with hands-on experience related to every aspect of the teaching profession. As a professional educator, the intern is expected to serve in a variety of teaching roles with a high level of responsibility.

UHCL’s curriculum and field experiences are designed to prepare students to meet the varied needs of learners in today’s classrooms. UHCL expects students to demonstrate professionalism by:

• Adapting instruction to support individual learning differences
• Creating a positive and respectful classroom environment
• Addressing misconceptions and promoting critical thinking
• Encouraging open discussion and exposure to a range of perspectives
• Using language that is respectful and constructive for all students

During UHCL's internship program, students work under the supervision of an internship team consisting of the Center for the Professional Development, public school personnel, a university supervisor, a district supervisor and a mentor teacher with the cooperation of the campus principal. The internship team serves as the student's teacher, supervisor and mentor throughout two internship semesters. UHCL assigns students to school sites that regard every staff member as a mentor who fosters a rich, supportive environment for preparing professional teachers.

At UHCL, we believe in hands-on learning. Through professional development, local partnerships and innovative classes, our students graduate with plenty of real world experience. One such partnership is with Clear Creek Independent School District (CCISD). UHCL and CCISD agreed to create and maintain a professional development laboratory school in the district. The school, McWhirter Professional Development Laboratory School in Webster, TX, was opened in 2002. Through this partnership, UHCL students take courses in a designated classroom, completing internships and other field experiences at the school.