Graduate Certificates

UH-Victoria offers programs leading to the following graduate certificates. Specific requirements for each certificate are available from the Teacher Education Records Office. The State Board of Educator Certification requires passing scores on the appropriate TExES (Texas Examination of Educator Standards) or TexMaT (Texas Examinations for Master Teachers) for certificates.

NOTE: When students begin work toward certification, a personal profile is recorded at the State Board of Educator Certification (SBEC). Students are responsible for maintaining current information online at this agency's website (www.sbec.state.tx.us ).

Educational Diagnostician

1. Hold a valid Texas teacher certificate.
2. Masters degree. (see Master of Education – Special Education)
3. A minimum of two years teaching experience in an accredited school.
4. Admission to graduate study within the School of Education and Human Development must precede the completion of applicable course work.
5. Completion of at least 45 semester hours of approved courses related to the program for educational diagnostician.
6. Pass the TExES #153.

Reading Specialist

1. Hold a valid Texas teacher certificate.
2. Masters degree. (see Master of Education – Reading Specialist)
3. A minimum of two years of teaching experience in an accredited school.
4. Admission to graduate study within the School of Education and Human Development must precede the completion of applicable course work.
5. The program for the certificate includes:
1. Twelve semester hours of graduate work in reading including the following suggested areas: foundations of reading; diagnosis and correction of reading disabilities; and clinical or laboratory practicum in reading.
2. A resource area of at least six semester hours, including multicultural concepts and linguistics.
3. A professional education area of at least six semester hours. (Individuals holding provisional certification at the elementary level are required to have at least six semester hours in the study of the junior high and/or high school age pupil and in the study of working with pupils at the secondary level; individuals holding certification at the junior and/or high school level are required to have at least six semester hours in the study of the elementary school pupil and in the study of working with pupils at this level.)
6. Pass the TExES #151.

Master Reading Teacher (MRT)

1. Hold a valid Texas teacher certificate.
2. Bachelors degree.
3. A minimum of three years of teaching experience in an accredited school.
4. Complete the 15 semester hours of specified graduate-level courses beyond the bachelor’s degree in an approved graduate teacher education program. Students must have a signed plan on file.

C&I 6360 Foundations of Literacy Learning
C&I 6362 Diagnostic Testing of Reading
C&I 6304 Practicum in Literacy
LNG 6310 Linguistics in Reading
AED 6315 Principles of Instructional Supervision

5. Pass the TExMaT #85 for Master Reading Teacher, unless you hold a Reading Specialist certificate.

Master Mathematics Teacher (MMT)

1. Hold a valid Texas teacher certificate.
2. Bachelors degree.
3. A minimum of three years of teaching experience in an accredited school.
4. Complete the 18 semester hours of specified graduate-level courses beyond the bachelor's degree in an approved graduate teacher education program. Students must have a signed plan on file.

C&I 6341 Teaching Problem Solving
C&I 6342 Assessment in Mathematics
C&I 6343 The Math Teacher as Leader
C&I 6347 Teaching Number Concepts
C&I 6348 Teaching Algebra & Geometry
C&I 6349 Teaching Probability & Statistics

5. Pass the TExMaT –MMT EC-4 #87 OR 4-8 #88.

School Administrator – Principal

1. Hold a valid Texas teacher certificate.
2. Masters degree. (See Master of Education – Administration and Supervision – Principal)
3. A minimum of two years of teaching experience in an accredited school.
4. Admission to graduate study within the School of Education and Human Development must precede the completion of applicable course work.
5. Completion of an approved administrative internship experience.
6. Completion of required course work designed to develop administrative competencies and comply with SBEC Learner Centered Proficiencies for the Principalship.
7. Pass the TExES # 068

Superintendent

1. Hold a valid Principal Certificate.
2. Complete 12 semester hours of course work to include

AED 6342 Educational Policy and Finance;
AED 6341 Personnel Management
AED 6343 Public Affairs and Community Relations;
AED 6345 Educational Facilities and Environment.

3. Complete the 6 semester hours of approved Superintendent’s practicum:

AED 6308 Practicum for the School Superintendency
AED 6309 Practicum for the School Superintendency

4. Pass the TExES # 064

School Counselor

1. Hold a valid Texas teaching certificate.
2. Masters degree in counseling or a related educational field. (See Master of Education – Counseling)
3. A minimum of two years of teaching experience in an accredited school.
4. Admission to graduate study within the School of Education and Human Development and the counseling program must precede the completion of coursework.
5. Completion of 39 semester hours of approved courses related to the program for guidance and counseling.
6. Pass the TExES #152.

Educator Certification Application

This certification process applies to ALL education students seeking initial and supplemental certifications from the State Board of Educator Certification.

Application for graduation and application for certification are two separate processes. They must be applied for separately.

Since May 1, 1986, in order to be approved for any certification, applicants, including those holding valid out-of-state certificates, have been required to achieve a satisfactory level of performance on an examination prescribed by the State Board of Education. The current test is the Texas Examinations of Educator Standards (TExES).

Procedures are as follows:

1. Once all requirements are met, the student will apply directly to the State Board for Educator Certification at www.sbec.state.tx.us. Click on SBEC-ONLINE for the instructions and the application. Students are responsible for updating and maintaining current information on the SBEC/TEA website (www.sbec.state.tx.us).
2. A fee, payable to the State Board for Educator Certification, is required with each application.
3. After the student applies and pays the fee, the University will then recommend the student to the state for the appropriate certification.