How to Become a Teacher

Alternative Certification Program
Houston Independent School District

In order to be eligible for employment the applicant must:

  • Pass the appropriate TExES content exam or
  • Have 24 hours in the subject area with 12 hours at the upper level
  • Complete 80 hours of content training
  • Complete 30 hours of classroom observation (scheduled as part of training)

ACP Admission Minimum Requirements:

  • Bachelor's degree
  • Degree from another country
  • Overall grade point average of 2.5 or last 60 hours 2.75
  • TASP/THEA- Reading 250, Math 230, Writing 220
    • Exempt if bachelor's degree transcript verifies a 3.0 overall grade point average
  • Core content grade point average 2.5

Certification areas offered:

8 - 12 Requirements

Grades 8-12 Single Subject Area:
(Math, Physical Sciences, Life Sciences, History, English Language Arts & Reading and Speech, Journalism, History, Dance)
Must have 24 hours in the subject with 12 advanced (Junior/Senior) level courses with a GPA of 2.5 or higher.

Grades 8-12 Science
(Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Earth-Science, Physical Science and Geology)

  • Must have 48 hours in the composite area with 24 hours advanced (Junior/Senior) level.
  • Must have 24 hours in one science area, 12 hours in another area, and 6 hours in the remaining two areas.

Grades 8-12 Social Studies
(combination of history, government, economics, geography)

  • Must have 48 hours in the composite area with 24 hours advanced (Junior/Senior) level.
  • Must have 24 hours in one social studies area, 12 hours in another area, and 6 hours in the remaining two areas.

3.5 GPA or higher coursework requirements:

  • 24 hours in academic core
  • 6 upper level instead of 12 and successful TExES scores

4 - 8 Requirements

Generalist: 36 semester hours with 9 hours in two of the areas and at least 6 hours in the two remaining areas as listed below:

  • English Language Arts and Reading
  • Mathematics
  • Science
  • Social Studies

Single Subject* (Math, Science, English Language Arts and Reading, Social Studies): Must have 18 hours in the subject with 6 advanced (Junior/Senior) level courses with a GPA of 2.5 or higher.

Dual Subject*(English Language Arts and Reading/Social Studies or Math/Science): Must have 18 hours in each subject with 6 advanced (Junior/Senior) level courses with GPA of 2.5 or higher.

* Elementary (4-6) assignments require an additional certification exam.

3.5 GPA or higher coursework requirements:

  • 24 hours in academic core
  • 3 hours in each core area instead of 6 with remaining 12 hours from any of the core and successful TExES scores

Prior to employment offer the applicant must pass the content TExES.

EC-6 Requirements for Elementary, Special Education, Bilingual Education (Early Childhood - Sixth Grade)

24 semester hours, MUST include one course in each:

  • English
  • Math
  • Science
  • Social Studies (not psychology and sociology)

Prior to employment offer the applicant must complete the EC-6 Generalist/Bilingual content test.

English as a Second Language (ESL) Supplemental

Meet requirements for a grade level certificate: (EC-6), (4-8) and (8-12) and have an ESL assignment.

Spanish, French, German, Latin, Chinese, Vietnamese

  • 8-12 Requirements listed above.
  • An applicant must PACT prior to acceptance to the program. For information and registration please go to www.texes.ets.org.
  • Prior to employment offer the applicant must pass the appropriate LOTE exam or meet 24/12.

Special Education (Early Childhood through Grade 12)

Requirements above for EC-6

Prior to employment offer the applicant must pass appropriate level content test, Generalist EC-6 or Generalist 4-8 and pass the Special Education EC-12 exam.