UTeach-Natural Sciences Secondary Teaching, Accelerate Track, Certificate
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.
The UTeach Accelerate track is limited to degree-holders, and seniors with no more than two (2) long semesters left to earn the undergraduate degree. In addition to admission to The University of Texas at Austin, students must be accepted into the UTeach Accelerate program. The application requires the following:
- application form
- resume
- two letters of recommendation
- transcript
- essay
- interview
Total Hours Required: 21
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.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Hours chosen from: | 3 | |
| Research Methods: UTeach | ||
| Research Methods: UTeach | ||
| Research Methods: UTeach | ||
| Perspectives on Science and Mathematics | ||
or PHL 329U | Perspectives on Science and Mathematics | |
| Professional Development Coursework | ||
| Hours chosen from: | 18 | |
| Secondary Teacher Education Prep: Advanced Steps | ||
| Knowing and Learning in Math and Science | ||
or UTS 350 | Knowing and Learning in Math and Science | |
| Classroom Interactions and Project Based Instruction | ||
| Secondary School Teaching Practicum: Math | ||
| Student Teaching Seminar | ||
| College Requirements - Natural Sciences | ||
| Undergraduate Minor and Certificate Requirements and Policies | ||
| Total Hours | 21 | |
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, 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.
3. Pass the T-TESS evaluation protocol.
Special Requirements
Students who successfully complete this certificate may be eligible for recommendation for state teaching certification if they have met all professional development and discipline specific content courses. Students seeking middle grades certification must also complete the following courses with grades of at least C-:
- EDP 350G Adolescent Development or PSY 301 Introduction to Psychology and PSY 304 Introduction to Child Psychology
- EDC 339E Secondary School Literacy across the Disciplines
The courses required for all teacher certifications include a minimum of 30 field-based experience (FBE) hours prior to the clinical teaching experience. All students in the field experience courses (UTS 101, UTS 110, UTS 211, EDC 365C, EDC 365D, EDC 365E, EDC 665 and EDC 651S) are observed by and received feedback from highly-qualified Professors of Practice and select in-service educators throughout each semester. Students must pass the field experience in order to pass these courses. During clinical teaching (UTS 170, EDC 651S), supervision and feedback are provided by Professors of Practice, field supervisors, and the cooperating teacher.
Upon transcript review, students on the Accelerate track may be required to take additional content courses so that they are prepared to pass the State-required certification exams and so that they meet State standards for secondary educators in the classroom. This review is conducted by faculty in the specific disciplines.
Information about additional certification requirements is available from the UTeach-Natural Sciences academic advisor.
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.