The University of Houston is ranked among the nation’s best colleges according to The Princeton Review. We’re a Tier One public research institution located in a city known for its rich blend of cultures and global influences. We offer top-notch academics and athletics. We believe education is a public good and are committed to making college affordable for students through tuition waivers, financial aid, scholarships and more. We measure success not only in the classroom but in our service to the community. The award-winning UH College of Education offers an undergraduate and a graduate program for aspiring teachers. The College has strong partnerships with dozens of local urban and suburban school districts, giving students an opportunity to gain real-world experience and make connections for jobs. The UH network of more than 264,000 alumni is powerful!
I am thankful for an amazing education program that has given me support and has prepared me to do what I am passionate about, and that is making a change in a student’s life.
Adrene Henninger
Programs
Master’s & certification
University of Houston Teacher Preparation Program (With Master's Degree)
The University of Houston College of Education offers an award-winning program for aspiring teachers. Our students graduate well-prepared to meet the needs of all learners. Put simply, our graduates enter the classroom ready to teach on day one. They gain experience and confidence thanks to a year-long student-teaching internship, where they train under supportive mentor teachers at a local public school. UH faculty also serve as coaches, offering tools for success as well as encouragement. In our graduate program, students have the added benefit of earning a master's degree in curriculum and instruction to bolster their skills and résumé. The teacher certification process is embedded in our program, so students don’t have to worry. An overwhelming majority of our students pass the Texas teaching certification exam. And 100 percent of our graduates recently reported being well or sufficiently prepared for the job after their first year, according to a survey from the Texas Education Agency. Principals know that students who graduate from the University of Houston have the training and tools to succeed. Our graduates are known to win “teacher of the year” awards at their schools, and they’re part of a large alumni network of UH Cougars dedicated to serving the community.
For teacher certification, you will take 15-18 courses per semester that are foundational to understanding the science and art of teaching and learning. In addtion, you will spend approximately 100 hours across the two semesters in schools observing and engaging in individual and small-group instruction.
The program concludes with a year-long clinical residency where you will be placed in a local school full time while taking 6-9 education courses. This is the capstone of the preparation program, and you will be highly engaged in the planning, assessing and instruction of PK-12 students.
Program Hallmarks
The University of Houston College of Education believes that real-world experience is crucial in preparing you to be ready to teach on your first day.
First year
In the first semester of your first year, you will complete 40 hours of observation in one school.
In the second semester of your first year, you'll complete another 40 hours of observation in a different school.
Senior year
During your senior year, you'll take part in a yearlong residency experience. Through the co-teach model with a mentor teacher, you will be involved in lesson planning, instruction, parent-teacher conferences and other essential teaching duties.
Professors at that the University of Houston College of Education are committed to helping students become successful teachers. During the yearlong student-teaching internship senior year, students are grouped as a cohort and have an assigned UH site coordinator. This coordinator supports students in the classroom and provides detailed feedback to help them grow. As a cohort, students also have a support network from classmates going through the same learning experience.
The University of Houston College of Education is committed to continuous improvement. We were the first program in Texas to earn accreditation under the new, more stringent standards set by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation. We also were a founding member of US Prep, a national network of colleges of education and local school districts working to improve teacher preparation. Our partnerships with other colleges, districts and professional associations ensure we are implementing best practices to help our students thrive in the classroom.
Get Started
Dig deeper. Visit University of Houston's website to learn more and apply.
