The UTeach-Natural Sciences program offers a secondary teaching option certificate to students who intend to teach at the middle or high school level. UTeach-Natural Sciences prepares students in the College of Natural Sciences, the Jackson School of Geosciences, and Cockrell School of Engineering for middle school or secondary teacher certification in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). However, any students in any major at the University may seek STEM teacher certification through UTeach-Natural Sciences. This certificate is composed of two separate tracks: a track for undergraduates, and an accelerated track for seniors and degree holders within one year of earning an undergraduate degree.

State of Texas teacher certification requirements are governed by the Texas Education Agency and are subject to change. Students must adhere to current teacher certification requirements, even if they differ from those listed in the University catalogs.

Total Hours Required: 24

Requirements

Requirements are listed in the table below. Additional requirements may follow the table, so be sure to read the entire page. Some required courses listed below may also satisfy General Education requirements, including Core Curriculum. Students should also review the University's Undergraduate Minor and Certificate Requirements and Policies.

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
Hours chosen from:		3
BIO 337	Selected Topics in Biology
CH 368	Advanced Topics in Chemistry
PHY 341	Selected Topics in Physics
HIS 329U	Perspectives on Science and Mathematics	3
or PHL 329U	Perspectives on Science and Mathematics
Hours chosen from: professional development coursework		18
EDC 651S.3	Secondary School Teaching Practicum: Math
EDC 651S.4	Secondary School Teaching Practicum: Science
EDC 365C	Knowing and Learning in Math and Science
or UTS 350	Knowing and Learning in Math and Science
EDC 365D	Classroom Interactions
or UTS 355	Classroom Interactions
EDC 365E	Project-Based Instruction
or UTS 360	Project-Based Instruction
UTS 101	Secondary Teacher Education Preparation: Step 1
UTS 110	Secondary Teacher Education Preparation: STEP 2
UTS 170	Student Teaching Seminar
Total Hours		24

Additional Requirements and Policy

In addition, students must meet the following requirements to graduate and be recommended for certification:

1. University grade point average of at least 2.50, with grades of at least C-.

2. Successful completion of secondary teacher certification and identified discipline specific content courses with a grade of at least C-. Lists of the required content courses and additional certification requirements are available in the UTeach-Natural Sciences office and online.

   1. Science teacher certification: All courses must be majors level.

      1. Biology: At least 24 hours in biology (some biochemistry and neuroscience courses may count), and six hours in each from chemistry, geology, and physics.

      2. Chemistry: At least 24 hours in chemistry, and six hours in each from biology, geology, and physics.

      3. Geology:  At least 24 hours in geology, and six hours in each from biology, chemistry, and physics.

      4. Physics:  At least 24 hours in physics, and six hours in each from biology, chemistry, and geology.

   2. Mathematics teacher certification: All courses, except M 315C, must count toward a math degree.

      1. Mathematics: At least 24 hours in math, including M 315C, M 333L, and M 375D.

   3. Life Sciences teacher certification: All courses must be majors level.

      1. Life sciences: At least 24 hours in biology, including INB 370; CH 301.

   4. Physics and Mathematics and Physical Science (Physics and Chemistry) teacher certification: All courses must be majors level and/or count towards a physics, chemistry and/or mathematics degree.

      1. Physics and Mathematics: At least 24 hours in physics, and M 315C, M 333L and M 375D.

      2. Physical Science (Physics and Chemistry): At least 24 hours in physics, and CH 301, CH 302, CH 204, CH 353, and CH 455.

   5. Computer Science and Computer Science and Math teacher certification: All courses must count toward a computer science and/or math degree.

      1. Computer Science: At least 24 hours of computer science.

      2. Computer Science and Mathematics:  At least 24 hours of computer science and M 315C, M 333L, and M 375D. 

   6. Mathematics, Physical Science, and Engineering certification: All courses must be majors level.

      1. For Engineering majors: M 315C M 333L, and M 375D, PHY 303K and PHY 105M, PHY 303L and PHY 105N, and CH 301.

      2. For Mathematics majors: PHY 301 and PHY 101L, PHY 316, and PHY 116L, PHY 315 and PHY 115L, CH 301, CH 302, and CH 204, E S 301, M E 377K.

      3. For Chemistry majors: M 315C, M 427J or M 427K, M 333L, and M 375D, PHY 301 and PHY 101L, PHY 316 and PHY 116L, PHY 315 and PHY 115L, E S 301, and M E 377K.

3. All teaching certificates require content hours required by the Texas Education Agency (TEA), to see content hour requirements across certificates, please see: https://uteach.utexas.edu/certifications-and-degrees

State of Texas teacher certification requirements are governed by the Texas Education Agency and are subject to change. Students must adhere to current teacher certification requirements, even if they differ from those listed in the University catalogs.