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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 7-12 certifications with varying specializations.

• English, Language Arts & Reading (7-12) with Teacher Certification and ESL
• Mathematics (7-12) with Teacher Certification with ESL
• Science (7-12) with Teacher Certification with ESL
• Social Studies (7-12) with Teacher Certification and ESL

Student Learning Outcomes

In the Department of Teaching and Learning Sciences, we teach future teachers. Our undergraduate 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.

Degree Plans

EPP Course Requirements

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

Professional Educator Preparation Core

All secondary education candidates complete a core professional sequence designed to build essential instructional skills for teaching middle and high school students:

• Adolescent Development & Exceptional Learners: Candidates study learning theories and human development, with a specific focus on the psychological, cognitive, and social needs of secondary students. Coursework also covers the characteristics of exceptional children and strategies for supporting learners with diverse needs in inclusive secondary classrooms.
• Secondary Pedagogy & Classroom Management: Students gain expertise in lesson design, secondary teaching methodology, and instructional strategies tailored for grades 7–12. Additional training focuses on establishing a positive classroom culture, maintaining climate and safety, and managing student behavior in secondary school settings.
• Diagnostic Teaching & Assessment: Candidates learn diagnostic and prescriptive teaching strategies to evaluate student progress, identify learning gaps, and adapt instruction for exceptional and struggling learners.
• Educational Technology: Coursework emphasizes the application of educational technology, equipping candidates to integrate digital media, interactive learning platforms, and instructional tools into secondary lesson plans.

Literacy & Second Language Acquisition (ESL)

Because secondary classrooms serve increasingly diverse student populations, all High School Education degree tracks incorporate specialized training in language acquisition and discipline-specific literacy:

• English as a Second Language (ESL) Methods: Candidates complete coursework in second language acquisition theory, survey of linguistics, and practical ESL teaching methodologies to support English language learners across core secondary subjects.
• Content Area Literacy: Specific coursework focuses on teaching content-area reading skills, helping secondary candidates integrate reading comprehension, critical analysis, and discipline-specific vocabulary instruction into their subject areas.

Secondary Subject-Area Content Specializations

In addition to the professional education core, candidates complete deep subject-matter coursework corresponding to their chosen certification area:

• English Language Arts and Reading (7–12): Focuses on advanced composition, British and American literature, world literature, creative writing, young adult literature, and linguistics, preparing candidates to teach secondary English, literature, and reading comprehension.
• Mathematics (7–12): Covers comprehensive university-level mathematics, including calculus, linear algebra, geometry, discrete mathematics, abstract algebra, differential equations, and probability and statistics, along with secondary mathematics teaching methods.
• Science (7–12): Encompasses broad scientific training across biological sciences, general and organic chemistry, physics, and earth or space sciences, providing the interdisciplinary background necessary to teach physical science, biology, chemistry, and integrated science courses.
• Social Studies (7–12): Provides an interdisciplinary foundation across United States history, Texas history, Western civilization, world history, American government, political science, macro and microeconomics, and geography.

Professional Field Experiences & Clinical Residency

The program culminates in rigorous state certification preparation and intensive field-based teaching practice:

• TExES Exam Preparation Seminar: Candidates complete a dedicated preparation seminar designed to review Texas state certification standards, competencies, and exam frameworks prior to sitting for their TExES certification exams.
• Clinical Teaching & Seminar: Candidates complete a full-time, semester-long clinical teaching residency in a certified secondary school setting (Grades 7–12). Guided by a weekly clinical seminar, candidate teachers take over classroom responsibilities, design and execute unit plans, manage classroom dynamics, and evaluate student learning under the mentorship of experienced secondary master teachers and university supervisors.

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.

What Can I Do?

There is a demand 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.

What Next?

We can’t wait to see you! Apply today.