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The Department of Teaching and Learning Sciences offers both undergraduate and graduate degree programs. The following Educator Preparation Tracks are offered for all levels of teaching certifications. This page provides information about specific requirements for all grade level certifications with varying specializations.

• Art EC-12 with Teacher Certification
• Kinesiology with EC-12 Physical Education Teacher Certification
• Spanish with EC鈥�12 Teacher Certification
• Music with EC-12 Teacher Certification: Instrumental
• Music with EC-12 Teacher Certification: Vocal/Keyboard

Prerequisites

College of Education General Requirements

A cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.5 or higher on 45 or more hours, a score of 230 or higher on the math section of the THEA, a score of 220 or higher on the writing section of the THEA, and a 230 or higher on the reading section of the THEA, are required to begin the program, as well as a personal interview.

Students must also meet the requirements of the department for Clinical Teaching (Student Teaching), as outlined in the University catalog.

Art or PE (Kinesiology) EC-12 Teacher Certifications

These certification programs will聽prepare you to teach Art or PE to students in all grade levels, from pre-kindergarten through high school.

These certification areas have slightly different Liberal Arts Core and Education Core courses. For example, specific courses are designated as the natural sciences and mathematical components. In addition to the required professional development courses and a full semester of Clinical Teaching (student teaching) in the School of Education, students must complete courses in one of the teaching fields offered at HCU for elementary and secondary grades.

Spanish EC-12 Teacher Certification

To be certified to teach Spanish, candidates must achieve proficiency to pass the Texas TExES Exam (reading, writing and culture) and the BTLPT (speaking) with a rating of 鈥淎dvanced.鈥� All students must complete the Liberal Arts Core in addition to the listed coursework.

Degree Plans

EPP Course Requirements

Each degree plan has additional liberal arts core requirements and major requirements.

A full list of prerequisites for certification can be found online.

The All-Levels Education degrees (Art, Music, Kinesiology/Physical Education, and Spanish) prepare teacher candidates to instruct students from Early Childhood through 12th Grade. The curriculum balances general pedagogy, specialized content mastery, and cross-cultural/inclusive teaching methodologies.

Foundational Pedagogy & EPP Core

Before formal admission to the EPP, candidates establish a baseline understanding of child development and exceptional learner characteristics. Once admitted into the EPP, students transition into advanced instructional methods:

• Curriculum & Classroom Culture: Candidates complete coursework in elementary instruction, secondary teaching methodology, and classroom culture, climate, and safety.
• Inclusive & Literacy Practices: Students learn strategies for supporting multilingual learners and teaching discipline-specific reading strategies. Special education diagnostic strategies equip candidates to adapt instruction for diverse needs.
• Educational Technology: Educational technology applications focus on integrating digital tools directly into classroom learning environments.

Content Specialization Tracks

In addition to the professional education core, candidates complete extensive subject-area major hours in their chosen field:

• Art (EC鈥�12): Focuses on studio art foundations (2D/3D design, drawing, painting, ceramics, sculpture, printmaking), art history, secondary art instruction, and essential fine arts elements.
• Music (BME 鈥� Vocal/Keyboard & Instrumental): Involves deep musical performance and theory training (applied music, ensembles, conducting, ear training), along with elementary and secondary music methods.
• Physical Education / Kinesiology: Combines exercise science, movement, motor development, and health concepts with physical education instructional strategies.
• Spanish (EC鈥�12): Features advanced Spanish grammar, literature, peninsular/Latin American culture, and specialized dual-language methodology.

Professional Field Experiences & Clinical Residency

Across all certification programs, the degree culminates in rigorous state test preparation and full-time clinical practice:

• TExES Exam Preparation Seminar: A targeted seminar that reviews state competency standards and ensures candidates are prepared for TExES certification exams.
• Clinical Teaching & Seminar: Candidates complete a semester-long, full-time clinical teaching experience (or split residency) in an accredited public or private school classroom. Paired with a weekly clinical seminar, this capstone experience allows candidate teachers to apply lesson planning, classroom management, and assessment techniques under the mentorship of certified master teachers and university field supervisors.

In the Department of Teaching and Learning Sciences, we teach future teachers. Our undergraduate and graduate degree programs prepare you to teach in elementary, middle and high schools in public and private schools. We believe learning is active, engaging, and collaborative.

Our department gives you practical, cutting-edge professional learning. Our teaching is:

• Field-based: You will work with children in schools throughout the program (not just at the end, or for one or two semesters).
• Technology-rich: You will experience a wide range of technology-based learning activities in your courses, and you will learn to effectively and creatively used technology as an educator – not just in one technology course, but throughout the program.
• Personal: You will develop lasting relationships with your professors in our small classes. Professors become professional mentors – not just while you are here at HCU, but throughout your educational career.
• Focused on Best Practice: Because our faculty practice what they teach (evidence-based practice), students learn to teach well from how they are taught, as well as what they are taught.
• Respected: Our close ties with area schools and our reputation for excellence provide hiring advantages when you graduate and begin to apply for jobs.

There is a鈥痙emand for quality teachers throughout the state. Most graduates are employed in Houston-area schools following student teaching. Employment opportunities vary according to teaching field. Districts involved in the hiring of our graduates are surveyed annually to provide feedback on the level of preparation our graduates receive prior to entering the field as teachers or related service personnel. Our feedback results indicate that our graduates (1-5 years) are well prepared and maintain skills in the teaching field after graduation.

Our graduates have become leaders in their schools and school districts. They have made a difference in the lives of children, and they have received recognition as outstanding educators. They have gone on to be principals, curriculum specialists, school counselors, diagnosticians, superintendents and university professors.