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 in one of the nation’s most ethnically diverse cities. 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.
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 diverse 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. 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 in 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.
Art (Pre-K-12) Core Subjects (Pre-K-6) Core Subjects / Bilingual Education Supplemental (Pre-K-6) Core Subjects / English as a Second Language Supplemental (Pre-K-6) Core Subjects / Special Education Supplemental (Pre-K-6) Dance (Pre-K-12) English Language Arts and Reading (4-8) English Language Arts and Reading (7-12) History (7-12) Mathematics (4-8) Music (Pre-K-12) Science (4-8) Social Studies (4-8) Spanish (Pre-K-12) Theatre (Pre-K-12)
Program Semesters/Steps Overview
The majority of your courses during your first and second years of the program are aimed at fulfilling the Texas College Core Curriculum. You will also take courses to prepare you in the specific content area (or areas) you plan to teach (e.g. math, history, etc.)
You will take 15-18 courses per semester that are foundational to understanding the science and art of teaching and learning. In addition, 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
We believe real-world experience is critical to graduating students ready to teach their first day on the job. During first semester of junior year, students complete 24 hours of observations, visiting a different school once a week. During second semester, students complete 80 hours of observation in one school and serve as a teacher’s aide. During senior year, students complete a yearlong student-teaching experience. Under the co-teach model with a mentor teacher, students are involved in lesson planning, instruction, parent-teacher conferences and other duties.
Located in the nation’s most ethnically diverse city, the University of Houston College of Education embraces inclusivity and believes all student deserve access to a high-quality education. The college partners with more than 20 Houston-area school districts, reflecting the diversity of the region. During junior year, our students visit a different school once a week. As a testament to their training at UH, nearly 100 percent of our graduates reported being well or sufficiently prepared to respond to the needs of students through differentiated instruction, according to a Texas Education Agency survey.
Professors at 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
Own the application process. Start a checklist to put yourself on track to becoming the best teacher you can be.
