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:
- 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 - 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.
- 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;
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
- Complete a minimum of 300 hours of coursework
Exit Policy
-
Exit Policy intro
The state requires all Educator Preparation Programs (EPP) to have an exit policy for the dismissal of candidates that is published, reviewed, and signed by candidates when they are admitted to the program. The requirement is found in 19 TAC §228.20(h).
-
Continue Reading Our Exit Policy
HCDE Center for Educator Success participants may be removed from the HCDE Alternative Certification Program (HCDE ACP) when candidates demonstrate behavior inconsistent with the knowledge, skills, and dispositions expected of teachers and leaders in Texas. Dismissal from the program may be based on grounds including but not limited to:
- Failure to abide by policies and/or procedures established by the HCDE ACP and/or program requirements established by the State Board for Educator Certification as published in the Texas Administrative Code.
- Failure to abide by the HCDE Center for Educator Success’s Candidate Handbook policies and expectations.
- Any action deemed a violation of the Code of Ethics and Standard Practices for Texas Educators, and/or;
- Any action deemed a violation of Fitness to Teach Policy; and/or;
- Any action deemed a violation of school district and/or campus policy during field-based experiences, clinical teaching, internship, or practicum.
- Failure to comply with probation/suspension terms if applicable.
- Moving to an ‘Inactive Candidate’ status. An ‘Inactive Candidate’ is one who is no longer completing coursework, training, and/or testing requirements with HCDE ACP after one semester of inactivity.
- Failure to complete HCDE Center for Educator Success and TEA certification expectations in a timely manner.
A candidate may be placed on probation/suspension due to inadequate progress. The terms and length of probation/suspension will be determined by the Compliance Manager or Senior Director based on the circumstances and documented in the candidate’s file. A candidate may be dismissed from the program without first being placed on probation/suspension depending on the severity of the violation or offense. Inadequate progress includes, but is not limited to, the following:
- Nonpayment of program fees.
- Failure to pass required content exams within two years of admission date.
- Failure to meet Timeline for Program Completion.
- Excessive absences.
- Failure to complete required coursework according to program timelines.
Should a Candidate be removed from the HCDE Alternative Certification Program (HCDE ACP):
- The Candidate’s campus leader and/or HR team may be notified;
- The Candidate shall forfeit any sums of money paid to HCDE ACP during their enrollment in the program;
- The Candidate may be eligible for readmission in the HCDE Alternative Certification Program (HCDE ACP) on a case-by-case basis.
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).
- 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
- Instruction and Support — Personal attention, small group instruction from education content experts, and ongoing mentorship before, during, and after certification
- Reputation — At HCDE, we are dedicated to serving educators since 1889
- Convenience — Coursework face-to-face and online
- Cost — Districts and CES collaboration
- Instruction and Support — Personal attention, small group instruction from education content experts, and ongoing mentorship before, during, and after certification
-
Areas of Certification
- Core Subjects EC-6
- Core Subjects EC-6 / English as a Second Language (ESL)
- Core Subjects EC-6 / Bilingual Spanish
- Core Subjects EC-6 / Special Education EC-12
- ELAR 4-8
- Math 4-8
- Science 4-8
- ELAR 7-12
- Math 7-12
- Science 7-12
- Life Science 7-12
-
About Our Grants
Houston Endowment Grant
We are excited to announce an incredible partnership with Houston Endowment where they have invested in our program growth with a 3-year grant awarded in August 2024! The grant is to support CES with growing the districts we partner with and increasing the number of teachers we serve. Ultimately impacting the number of certified teachers in our communities we serve!
TPI-US & Houston Endowment Sub-Award
This past Spring 2024, the Center for Educator Success engaged in a quality program review through TPI-US. The program quality review process was a comprehensive review designed to assess and enhance the effectiveness of our educator preparation program. As the program is rooted in continuous improvement, we have upcoming collaborations set with TPI-US team to dive into their recommendations and engage in strategic improvement planning to continue to increase our program’s effectiveness. As part of our engagement in this process, the Houston Endowment is providing our program with funding to support improvement and capacity-building in the prioritized areas identified through the review for the next year.
We are incredibly grateful to the Houston Endowment and TPI-US for the investment and support in our program and are looking forward to seeing the impacts of our partnerships with them!
-
Criminal History Background Check
Harris County Department of Education is required by Texas Education Code Chapter 22, Subchapter C to review criminal history of applicants, employees, independent contractors, student teachers, and certain volunteers, including AmeriCorps members. The Department will also conduct a national sex offender inquiry, state of residence and state of service checks, and a fingerprint-based FBI check as per the Serve America Act (45 CFR §2540.200 - §2540.207). The information requested below is necessary to comply with the above.
All applicants and candidates must undergo a preliminary criminal history background check prior to field-based experience and prior to employment as an educator.
- The potential ineligibility of an individual who has been convicted of an offense for issuance of a certificate on completion of the EPP, the SBEC rules relating to eligibility of persons with a criminal history for certification, and
- The right to request a criminal history evaluation letter
For more information: Preliminary Criminal History Evaluation-FAQs
How We Help
-
CES works directly with school districts to support educators in Harris County.
Learn MoreContact 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
-
Regarding all complaints:
If you feel HCDE-CES has not resolved your issue, please contact the Texas Education Agency (TEA):
- Visit the TEA's Compliance & Inquiries Division website
- Click "Educator Preparation Programs (EPPs)"
If you have questions, please contact:
Texas Education Agency
1701 Congress Avenue
Austin, TX 78701
Phone: 512-463-9734
Email: ComplaintsManagement@tea.texas.gov
MORE DETAILS:
HCDE and CES Consumer Information