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College Of Public Service
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Master of Security Management for Executives
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Bachelor of Social
Work Program -
Department of
Criminal Justice -
Department of
Urban Education -
Criminal Justice
Training Center
College of Public
Service Advising
University of Houston-Downtown is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award masters and baccalaureate degrees.
Alternative Certification Program
Our program is composed of three phases (hover or press for more detail):
All candidates will comply with the Teacher Educator Code of Ethics (TAC 19.7.§247)
Admission Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited university or college with
- 2.5 GPA or higher in the last 60 hours of college level coursework
- For secondary certification, candidates also need 24 hours in an area of specialization with a 2.5 GPA in the area of specialization
- THEA scores or exemption approval. Score requirements are:
- Math 230
- Reading 230
- Writing 220
- Submit ACP Application to College of Public Service Advising Office, C-420 by July 1 for fall admission and November 1 for spring admission.
- Submit a receipt from the UHD Cashier for the ACP Application Processing Fee ($50).
- Submit official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. These transcripts must be in a sealed and stamped envelope. If you are a UHD graduate applying for the program, you must request your transcript from the university.
- Submit three (3) ACP Reference Forms completed by professional references.
- Admission to the University of Houston-Downtown.
Certification Areas*
| Certification Area | TExES Content Exam | TExES EC-12 PPR Exam |
| EC-6 Elementary Generalist | Test 191 | Test 160 |
| EC-6 Bilingual Generalist | Test 192 BTLPT - Test 190 |
Test 160 |
| 4-8 Generalist | Test 111 | Test 160 |
| 8-12 Secondary | Social Studies - Test 132 History - Test 133 Life Science - Test 138 Physical Science - Test 137 Science Composite - Test 136 Math - Test 135 English Language Arts & Reading - Test 131 |
Test 160 |
- Applicant is admitted to the program.
- Candidate successfully completes required university coursework which includes 60 hours of fieldwork (6 hours per week) in an assigned public school. (See certification area flowchart for required university coursework.)
- Candidate passes the appropriate TExES content exam for certification area.
- Candidate pays fees associated with university coursework, tuition, books, and certification exams.
- Candidate requests a Letter of Eligibility to secure employment for a one-year teaching internship in a Texas Education Agency accredited school.
- Candidate obtains a contract or "letter of intent to hire" from a public school district.
- Candidate applies online with Texas Education Agency (TEAL) for a one-year initial probationary teaching certificate ($55).
- Candidate completes required university paperwork for internship.
- Department of Urban Education recommends candidate for probationary teaching certificate.
- The internship is for one school year.
- An intern is the “teacher of record” with all rights, privileges, and responsibilities of any other teacher in Texas [Texas Education Code 13.306(2) and 13.037(a)] and must abide by the Teacher Code of Ethics (TAC 19.7.§247).
- Candidate pays to UHD a $4,000 internship fee (payment plan options available) and a mentor fee to the hiring school district (cost and payment options depend on hiring school district).
- Each candidate is supported by a mentor teacher on his/her campus and a UHD field supervisor.
- During the one-year internship, candidates must:
- Attend required professional development seminars/workshops
- Pay fees for required TExES exams
- Pass the TExES EC-12 Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities exam (if not previously passed)
- Successfully complete state and school district appraisal requirements
- Be recommended for certification by the school principal, school mentor, UHD supervisor, and UHD ACP Director
- Submit an e-portfolio for the internship year
*Subject to changes from the Texas State Legislature, the Texas State Board of Educator Certification (SBEC), and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB)
Certification Area Flowcharts
- ACP-Fall Start Flowchart – EC-6 Generalist
- ACP-Fall Start Flowchart – EC-6 Bilingual Generalist
- ACP-Fall Start Flowchart – 4-8 Generalist
- ACP-Fall Start Flowchart – 8-12 Certification (Secondary)
- ACP-Spring Start Flowchart – EC-6 Generalist
- ACP-Spring Start Flowchart – EC-6 Bilingual Generalist
- ACP-Spring Start Flowchart – 4-8 Generalist
- ACP-Spring Start Flowchart – 8-12 Certification (Secondary)
Please note: Teacher education programs are developed in response to the Texas Legislature, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) regulations and guidelines. As state guidelines change, program revisions may occur. Any new rulings or changes made by any of these entities in interpreting the rulings on educator certification may supersede the requirements of a s student’s existing certification plan, degree plan, or post-bac certification plan. It is the responsibility of each student to stay apprised of any changes that may affect his/her plan.
Contact Information
Terrilyn Ratcliff,
ACP Advisor
Email: ratcliffT@uhd.edu
Phone: (713) 221 - 2721
Last updated or reviewed on 6/14/13
