Teacher Certification Program

What is Teacher Certification?

  • Harris County Department of Education provides the highest quality instruction and support for educators enrolled in our teacher alternative certification program. 

    Coursework sessions are conducted in classroom and blended settings with instructors who are content and pedagogy experts. Teacher candidates also spend time observing practicing classroom teachers in partnership schools before their paid internship begins and attending Summer Intensive in their pre-service year with CES. 

    Throughout the program, candidates are actively involved with the subject matter content and are provided a mentor at their campus. During the critical one-year internship period, candidates are supported by experienced field supervisors who assist them in content knowledge and instructional skills, leading to increased student achievement.

     

    HARRIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

    TEACHER CERTIFICATION PROGRAM

    Content Exam Pass Rate

    Year HCDE State-Wide
    2024 92% 90%
    2023 78% 87%
    2022 94% 87%
    2021 100% 89%
    2020 100% 95%

    About The Data

    This dataset includes all individuals who were admitted after December 26, 2016 and have taken an examination (first or second attempt) as required for the field of the certificate under which they are serving their internship, and/or for the certification field for which they are being prepared as specified by the EPP. These candidates have attempted the Content Pedagogy Test(s), passed or failed, that requires an evaluation during the reporting period.

    Updated 5/1/2025

     

     

    HARRIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

    TEACHER CERTIFICATION PROGRAM

    Pedagogy (PPR) Exam Pass Rate

    Year HCDE State-Wide
    2024 100% 96%
    2023 100% 95%
    2022 90% 94%
    2021 100% 95%
    2020 100% 96%
    About The Data

    The population covered in this dataset are all individuals who were admitted to an EPP after December 26, 2016 and have taken an examination (first or second attempt) required for the field of the certificate under which they are serving their internship and/or for the certification fields for which they are being prepared, as specified by the EPP. These candidates have attempted the Pedagogy Test, passed or failed, that requires an evaluation during the reporting period.

    Updated 5/1/2025

    For more information, see the TEA's Educator Preparation Data Dashboard.

Requirements for Admission

  • For an applicant who will be seeking an initial certificate in the classroom teacher class of certificate, the applicant shall have successfully completed, prior to admission and have earned a minimum 2.5 GPA with at least:

    1. a minimum of 12 semester credit hours in the subject-specific content area for the certification sought, unless certification sought is for mathematics or science at or above Grade 7;

      OR

    2. 15 semester credit hours in the subject-specific content area for the certification sought if the certification sought is for mathematics or science at or above Grade 7 TAC 227 (4) (A) (B)

     

    TAC 227.10 (3)

    For an undergraduate university program, alternative certification program, or post-baccalaureate program, to be eligible for admission into an EPP, an applicant shall have a grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.5 before admission.

Requirements for Program Completion

    • Complete a minimum of 300 hours of coursework
      • inclusive of 25 supervised and 25 unsupervised observation hours
    • Complete 5 formal and 6 informal observations
    • Successfully pass all required TExES exams
    • Complete a successful background check
    • Pay all programmatic and certification fees

Exit Policy

  • Exit Policy intro

  • Continue Reading Our Exit Policy

How to Apply

  • Before applying, make sure you have completed or have access to the following items/information: 

    REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:

    • A scanned copy of both sides of your driver’s license or other government-issued photo ID
    • An electronic copy of your resume
    • Your TEA ID number (if you have one)
    • Three professional references (include name, title, email, and phone number for each reference)

    ALSO REQUIRED:

    • Your official transcripts (these will be sent directly to us from the college/university where you received your degree)

    OPTIONAL DOCUMENTS:

    • Electronic/scanned copy of your unofficial transcripts granting your bachelor’s degree
      (This will give us a chance to begin reviewing your coursework while waiting on your official transcripts. If you have graduate degrees, be sure to include them as well.)    
    • Electronic/scanned copy of your TOEFL scores to upload (if applicable)

    Once you have gathered the required information and documents, start your application here!



    FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

    • Transcripts—Submission of all official (sealed) college transcripts—you may submit unofficial transcripts so we can get started on your transcript review, but we will need official transcripts prior to formal admission into the program (Texas law requires this). We will accept electronic transcripts if they are sent directly from the university.
    • Completion of an undergraduate or graduate degree earned at an institution of higher education in a country outside of the United States approved by the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC).

    If your transcripts are from foreign institutions, you will need to have them evaluated by a Texas Education Agency approved provider. Here’s a link to the current provider list, Certification Based on Credentials from another Country | Texas Education Agency

    • Note: Be sure to tell the evaluation company you are applying for a teacher certification program and need a course by course list with grades, credit hours and GPA, so they complete the appropriate evaluation.
    • TOEFL iBT – Individuals with degrees from universities in countries where English is not the official language must also submit TOEFL iBT scores, with passing scores of: Speaking 24; Listening 22; Reading 22; and Writing 21
      Here is the link to register for the TOEFL iBT - The TOEFL Tests (ets.org)
      Note: Individuals who have foreign degrees from countries in which English is the official language (pursuant to the Texas Administrative Code) are exempt from TOEFL iBT.

Pre-Service Coursework

  • Coursework Calendar 2024–2025

Teacher Program Process, Fees, and Payment

  • Additional Program Features

  • Areas of Certification

  • About Our Grants

  • Criminal History Background Check

How We Help

  • CES works directly with school districts to support educators in Harris County.

    Learn More

    Contact Us for More Info

    Center for Educator Success
    Harris County Department of Education
    6300 Irvington Blvd.
    Houston, TX 77022
    Phone: 713-694-6300
    Email: CES@hcde-texas.org

Complaint Procedure

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