Alternative Certification Program (ACP)
UHD Department of Urban Education
Submissions for the Summer 2026 are now open
Alternative Certification is a program that allows those with a baccalaureate degree from an accredited university to pursue initial teacher certification without completing a traditional teacher certification program. At UHD, ACP students apply and are considered post-baccalaureate (PB), but coursework is taken at the undergraduate level. Therefore, students pay undergraduate tuition. Applicants considering financial aid should contact the Financial Aid Office to determine eligibility. Please note that the Texas Education Agency prohibits students from being enrolled in more than one educator preparation program. Applicants that have begun or are enrolled in another program will not be eligible for admission.
Join the Graduate Studies and Urban Education Department with the College of Public Service on information on the Alternative Certification Program & Master of Arts in Teaching w/Teacher Certification.
| Application Deadline |
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Application Deadline: |
| Admission Requirements |
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| 1. Bachelor's Degree must be awarded by the application deadline to be eligible for admission. Submit all official transcript(s) including one which depicts an earned baccalaureate degree from an accredited university and any graduate credit earned. |
| 2. Minimum overall GPA of 2.5 and subject area GPA of 2.5 are required. |
| 3. Submit university admissions application via UHD Direct Application. Apply and choose "Education Core Sub EC-6 STR/ESL Supplemental" as the major. Additional questions within the application will allow you to indicate that you will be a non-degree seeking post-baccalaureate student. Admission to UHD as a post-baccalaureate student does not guarantee admission into the ACP. |
| 4. Submit the ACP Application through TK20. ACP Application Instructions (pdf). |
| 5. Complete and submit the ACP Recommendation Form in TK20. |
| 6. Interview |
Phase 1: Pre-Internship Candidacy (Semesters 1 and 2)
After being admitted to the program as a candidate:
Students will complete the following coursework.
EC-6 Core Subjects w/ ESL Supplemental
PED 3305
SOSE 4304 - Full Time Internship
EED 3312
SOSE 4304 - Full Time Internship
Secondary (7-12) Certification
PED 3305
SOSE 4304 - Full Time Internship
EED 3312
SOSE 4304 - Full Time Internship
- Pay fees associated with university coursework, tuition, books, etc.
- During second semester courses, apply for a one-year teaching internship in your grade and certification area at a Texas Education Agency accredited school.
- Once you have secured employment give UHD's Teacher Education Certification Compliance Coordinator the contact information for your HR Rep Internships should begin in August
Alternative Certification Program candidates must:
- Comply with the Teacher Educator Code of Ethics (TAC 19.7.247)
- Understand that, as state guidelines change, program revisions occur to ensure that the UHD Urban Education Alternative Certification Program remains in compliance with Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and Texas Education Agency (TEA) regulations and guidelines.
- Realize that students are responsible for keeping up with revision that affect individualized degree plans. Students should contact their advisor regularly and monitor the TEA website for teacher certification changes.
| For More Information Contact | |
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| Dr. Bernardo Pohl Director of Graduate Studies 713-221-5051 | pohlb@uhd.edu
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For general information please contact: UHDMAT@uhd.edu |