Certification Programs

Alternative Certification Program
Houston Independent School District

Minimum Requirements for Professional Certifications

Scroll down to view all certifications offered. Click on each certification title to learn more.

 

Educational Diagnostician

  • Two-year internship
  • Weekly sessions concentrating on testing methods and procedures.
  • 12 hours of graduate level coursework (one night a week).
  • Field-based practicum
  • Observations by ACP Certification Trainer and HISD Child Study Department

School Counselor

  • Two-year program
  • Monthly night sessions concentrating on counseling issues and counseling techniques.
  • 12 hours of graduate level coursework (one night a week).
  • 200 hours of Field-based Practicum
  • Portfolio case studies
  • Observations by ACP Certification Trainer and HISD Guidance and Counseling Department

School Librarian

  • HISD-ACP School Librarian is a one-year state approved certification program for teachers who would like to become a school librarian.
  • The HISD-ACP Librarian program focuses on the role of the librarian who is an integral part of the school, responsible for strengthening the teaching/learning process so that students can develop the vital skills necessary to locate, analyze, evaluate, interpret, and communicate information and ideas.
    The program curriculum is aligned to the Texas school librarian standards and the competencies for the School Librarian TExES exam.
  • Interns will engage in observations, portfolio activities, children’s literature studies, and state exam preparation.

Master Reading Teacher

  • HISD-ACP Master Reading Teacher is a one year state approved certification program for teachers seeking reading certification.
  • The HISD-ACP Master Reading program focuses on the five components of reading, phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary and comprehension; and the Master Reading teacher’s role as a mentor and coach to other teachers in the area of reading. The program curriculum consists of both HISD courses and University of St. Thomas coursework which has been aligned to the Texas reading standards and the competencies for the Master Reading Teacher TExES exam.
  • Interns will engage in observations, case studies, mentoring and coaching activities, and state exam preparation.

Principal Academy


  • HISD-ACP Principal Academy for Collaborative Engagement (PACE) is a two-year state approved certification program for individuals seeking principal certification.
  • HISD-ACP Principal Academy focuses on courses and personal development of the interns in a cohort model. The program curriculum consists of both HISD courses and University of St. Thomas coursework aligned to all Texas standards and competencies for the Principal TExES exam and emphasizes HISD initiatives.
  • Academy fellows engage in facilitative leadership experiences, portfolio case studies, action research, observations, state exam preparation, and internship with mentor support.
    • HISD-ACP is the recipient of a U.S. Department of Education School Leadership Program Grant. Pace cohort members qualify for participation in this grant to offset the majority of program costs.