Program Overview

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Alternative Teacher Certification Program for STEM

The Alternative Certification Program for STEM teachers is managed by the HOUSTON program at the University of Houston. The certification program targets college students in their senior year, as well as college graduates of all ages with a STEM background, who aspire to become secondary STEM teachers.

Program Overview

At HOUSTON, the program prepares highly effective, student-centered, teacher leaders in secondary STEM education. The program's success is a combination of its attention to quality and the unique structures of support that nurture students throughout the program and after they graduate.

Certification Areas

The program offers certifications in the following areas:

• 712 Chemistry
• 712 Mathematics
• 612 Physical Science
• 712 Physics/Mathematics
• 712 Science

Required Courses

For formal admission, there are required courses for each certification area:

• Chemistry 712: Introduction to Chemistry and an advanced chemistry lecture and labs
• Life Science 712: Biology, Geology, and Earth science equivalent or Ecology lectures and labs
• Mathematics 712: Geometry or Trigonometry, Calculus, and Statistics
• Physics/Mathematics 712: Geometry or Trigonometry, Calculus, and Introduction to Physics and an advanced Physics lecture and labs
• Science 712: Biology, Chemistry, and Physics lectures and labs

Benefits of Alternative Teacher Certification

The program provides the expertise, quality, and support of a traditional teacher education program. The expedited plan allows participants to obtain certification in nine months. The program includes observations and teaching experiences in secondary public-school classrooms, as well as a semester-long student teaching experience under the guidance of a mentor teacher and university supervisor.

How the Program is Different

The program provides extensive assistance with job placement, and all participants certified through this program have obtained jobs. Additionally, the program offers unique partnerships with school districts in the Greater Houston area to provide funded placements, called paid yearlong residencies, amounting to $10,000 per semester.

Instruction Model

The program follows this instruction model:

• First Semester: Daytime, face-to-face classes and authentic field experiences in local public school districts
• Second Semester: Evening face-to-face classes and authentic field experiences in local public school districts

Application Process

To apply, prospective students must meet the following requirements:

• Strong interest in STEM education
• Undergraduate students with no more than two semesters of coursework remaining
• All college graduates with a STEM background
• 2.5 cumulative and content GPA or a passing score on TX-PACT content exam
• US citizens or permanent resident aliens to be awarded the federally funded scholarship
• Reside in the greater Houston area for the duration of the program

Mandatory Criminal Background Check

A comprehensive criminal background check must be completed and successfully passed as a prerequisite for entry into the teacher certification program.

Selection Criteria

The selection committee will review applications based on the requirements and criteria outlined above. Up to 25 applicants will be selected for each alternative teacher certification cohort.

Funding

The program is supported by grant funding from the U.S. Department of Education. Scholarships are available to all eligible candidates, and unique partnerships with school districts provide funded placements.

Program Length and Certification

The program is 9 months long, and certifications are available in the areas listed above. Upon completion, participants will be certified to teach in their chosen STEM field.