Program Overview

Texas Teacher Certification Program

The Texas Teacher Certification program is offered by the Education Department within the Susanne M. Glasscock School of Continuing Studies at Rice University. The program integrates coursework with fieldwork experience and is approved by the State of Texas to offer teacher preparation programs in various fields, including art, English language arts and reading, history, Latin, life sciences, mathematics, physical sciences, physics/mathematics, science, social studies, Spanish, and principalship.

Program Requirements

To obtain Texas Teacher Certification, students must complete the following requirements:

• A minimum of 21 credit hours to satisfy the Texas Teacher Certification requirements
• All university and major requirements for a Rice University bachelor's degree
• All courses in teaching field and education with a grade of B- (2.67 grade points) or better
• All of the content courses specified by the certification field advisor(s)
• A minimum of 75 hours of field-based experience in local secondary schools, in conjunction with satisfactory results on background check with participating school districts

Course Requirements

The following courses fulfill requirements for Texas Teacher Certification:

• EDUC 305: Educational Psychology
• EDUC 316: Assessment
• EDUC 320: Teaching Diverse Learners
• EDUC 421: Curriculum Development
• Theory and Methods (select one from the following):
  • EDUC 460: Theory and Methods: Art
  • EDUC 461: Theory and Methods: English Language Arts & Reading (ELAR)
  • EDUC 462: Theory and Methods: LOTE
  • EDUC 463: Theory and Methods: Mathematics
  • EDUC 464: Theory and Methods: Physical Education
  • EDUC 465: Theory and Methods: Science
  • EDUC 466: Theory and Methods: Social Studies
• EDUC 467: Practicum for Preservice Teachers

Admission Requirements

To apply for admission to the Rice University Education program, candidates must submit:

• Official transcripts of previous and current university studies
• Proof of SAT or ACT scores
• Three letters of reference accompanied by the forms provided with the application
• Minimum 2.50 GPA (overall and in the content area)
• Applications submitted during sophomore year must show a minimum of 12 credit hours in the content area (15 credit hours for math and science) completed
• Evidence that the applicant's knowledge, experience, skills, and aptitude are appropriate for the certification sought

Faculty and Staff

The Education Department is led by:

• Robert G. Bruce, Dean
• Brenda Rangel, Assistant Dean The department also includes lecturers such as Steve Amstutz, Dana Arreola, Shelah Crear, Rick Cruz, Barrett Doke, Anthony Nguyen, Brenda Rangel, and Annie Wolfe.

Course Offerings

The Education Department offers a wide range of courses, including:

• EDUC 202: Contemporary Issues in Education
• EDUC 301: Philosophical, Historical, and Social Foundations of Education
• EDUC 304: Race, Class, Gender in Education
• EDUC 305: Educational Psychology
• EDUC 310: Introduction to Special Education
• EDUC 315: Adolescent Development
• EDUC 316: Assessment
• EDUC 319: Teaching and Learning with Inquiry
• EDUC 320: Teaching Diverse Learners
• EDUC 323: Creative Writing in the Classroom
• EDUC 325: Adolescent Literature
• EDUC 330: The American High School
• EDUC 335: Urban Education: Issues, Policy, and Practice
• EDUC 345: Educational Technologies & Digital Learning
• EDUC 350: Education Policy: From Legislatures to Classrooms
• EDUC 421: Curriculum Development
• EDUC 422: Literacy Across the Curriculum
• EDUC 460: Theory and Methods: Art
• EDUC 461: Theory and Methods: English Language Arts & Reading (ELAR)
• EDUC 462: Theory and Methods: LOTE
• EDUC 463: Theory and Methods: Mathematics
• EDUC 464: Theory and Methods: Physical Education
• EDUC 465: Theory and Methods: Science
• EDUC 466: Theory and Methods: Social Studies
• EDUC 467: Practicum for Preservice Teachers
• EDUC 470: Field-Based Studies in Teaching and Learning
• EDUC 477: Special Topics
• EDUC 491: Independent Study and Research
• EDUC 501: Philosophical, Historical, and Social Foundations of Education
• EDUC 502: Contemporary Issues in Education
• EDUC 504: Race, Class, Gender in Education
• EDUC 505: Educational Psychology
• EDUC 510: Introduction to Special Education
• EDUC 515: Adolescent Development
• EDUC 516: Assessment
• EDUC 519: Teaching and Learning with Inquiry
• EDUC 520: Teaching Diverse Learners
• EDUC 521: Curriculum Development
• EDUC 522: Literacy Across the Curriculum
• EDUC 523: Creative Writing in the Classroom
• EDUC 525: Adolescent Literature
• EDUC 530: The American High School
• EDUC 535: Urban Education: Issues, Policy, and Practice
• EDUC 540: Seminar for First-Year Teachers
• EDUC 545: Educational Technologies & Digital Learning
• EDUC 550: Education Policy: From Legislatures to Classrooms
• EDUC 560: Theory and Methods: Art
• EDUC 561: Theory and Methods: English Language Arts & Reading (ELAR)
• EDUC 562: Theory and Methods: LOTE
• EDUC 563: Theory and Methods: Mathematics
• EDUC 564: Theory and Methods: Physical Education
• EDUC 565: Theory and Methods: Science
• EDUC 566: Theory and Methods: Social Studies
• EDUC 567: Practicum for Preservice Teachers
• EDUC 570: Field-Based Studies in Teaching and Learning
• EDUC 590: Instructional Leadership
• EDUC 591: Independent Study and Research
• EDUC 595: Capstone
• EDUC 596: Organizational Leadership
• EDUC 597: Practicum for Principals
• EDUC 677: Special Topics

Graduate Programs

The Education Department also offers graduate programs, including a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) and a Principal Certification program. These programs are designed for individuals who wish to pursue a career in teaching or educational leadership.