TEACHER PROGRAM FAQ
Applicants who have earned at least an undergraduate degree from an accredited university may apply. See #4 for additional requirements.
Applications are taken year-round. Pre-service classes begin in Fall and Spring.
During COVID-19: Contact Jonett Miniel at jminiel@hcde-texas.org to request information. You may begin by completing an application online.
- Transcript Review
- All materials, textbooks, and resources
- All certification coursework (300+ contact hours)
- Workshops on test-taking tips, interviewing techniques, and resume writing
- Test preparation sessions and practice exams
- Supervision during pre-service field observations
- Assistance with job placement
- Field supervision and classroom support during internship year
- Administrative support from admissions through final certification
Yes, in addition to program costs, there are external costs (payments to testing company, TEA, district, etc.).
Other External Costs Associated with Teacher Certification Process:TEA Technology Fee
Texas Intern /Probationary Certificate
$35
$78
Fingerprinting Fee (approximately)
$49
Fee for each required TExES exam
$116
Teacher standard certificate
$78
Cohort cycles start in the Fall and Spring. For he latest information, email hcdeacp@hcde-texas.org
Two weeks before the orientation session for pre-service courses.
Face-to-face classes meet at Harris County Department of Education, 6300 Irvington Blvd. Blended classes are conducted via the internet and face-to-face.
6–9 p.m. weeknights
8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Saturdays
The state requirement is a minimum of 300 contact hours. Depending on your certification area, you will complete between 337 and 385 contact hours of coursework.
Typically, it takes 17 to 21 months to complete the certification process. This includes one full year of teaching as a teacher of record in your certification field.
You will take the TExES content exam(s) in your field during the pre-service phase. Permission to test will be issued by the Director based on demonstration of readiness to test. You will wait to take the TExES PPR EC-12 exam until the Spring semester of your internship year.
You must meet eligibility requirements (see no. 18) to accept a job offer and get an intern certificate.
Yes. In addition to passing your TExES content exam(s), you will also need to complete 30 hours of field observations and at least 150 hours of certification coursework before you are eligible to accept a job offer.