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 help students understand the importance of diversity in teaching and learning. UHCL expects students to demonstrate a commitment to diversity by showing adaptability in instruction for individual differences; demonstrating that diversity in the classroom is a commitment to equity; facilitating lessons that counteract negative stereotypes and bigotry; providing students with access to varying points of view; and using language that is not demeaning or harmful to any individual or group. 

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.