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Become a Certified Teacher in Texas!

Have a bachelor’s degree and want to teach? We can help! Our high-quality alternative certification program, or ACP, will support you through the entire teacher certification process. To get started, fill out the for our É«»¨Ìà Alternative Certification Program for Aspiring Teachers.

Program Highlights

• Learn effective teaching strategies from expert É«»¨Ìà faculty.
• Earn a full-time salary while working toward certification. (First-year teachers can earn $60,000 in the Houston region’s largest school districts.)
• Receive regular coaching and mentoring during your first year in the classroom.
• Engage in hybrid learning (face-to-face and online professional development).
• Be prepared to pass your state certification exams!

Eligibility Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree (by start date)
• 2.50 GPA
• Interest in teaching in the participating school districts
• Don’t have a bachelor’s degree? Check out É«»¨ÌÃ’s B.S. in teaching and learning degree program.

Competitive Cost

• FREE to apply!
• $250 enrollment fee upon acceptance
• $6,250 program cost  

Timeline

• Winter 2024
  • Complete application prep work:
    • Review the (sections 247.1 and 247.2)
      • Estimated time:15 minutes
    • Watch the (10 short videos) 
      • Estimated time: 1 hour
    • Prepare and record your admission interview. Learn what is needed here.   
      • Estimated time: 20 minutes
  • Receive acceptance
  • Enroll in É«»¨Ìà ACP!
• Spring 2025
  • Get a jump start on your online coursework
  • Gain experience from 50 hours of classroom observations
  • Pass content exam(s)
• Summer 2025
  • Attend in-person É«»¨Ìà ACP summer training
  • Connect with your cohort and leadership team
• Fall 2025
  • Begin working as a teacher
  • Gain a full-time salary and benefits, paid vacation, and a better quality of life
  • Receive ongoing support and professional development
• Summer 2026
  • Pass your final certification exam
  • Congratulations! You are a certified teacher!
    
    

Learn More

Hear from program participants and learn more about the É«»¨Ìà ACP model in this .

Questions?

Email Dr. Amber Thompson and Dr. Shea Culpepper at uhacp@central.uh.edu. Also, don’t forget to fill out the .

The É«»¨Ìà ACP for Aspiring Teachers is supported by a grant from Houston Endowment.