VOICE Program
Victoria Online Initial Certification for Educators
For those with a bachelor’s degree, VOICE program is an accredited, completely online, alternative certification program (ACP) route to teacher certification for all grades with options to complete students teaching practicum or a paid year-long teaching internship. Certification areas include Core Subjects EC-6th grade, Core Subjects 4th-8th grade, and 7th-12th grade English, History, Math, Science. EC-12th grade Special Education, LOTE (Spanish) or Physical Education is also an option. Additionally, students can apply their course work to master’s of education in curriculum and instruction.
Earn certification in as little as 3 semesters in select areas for $4,567, not including books or supplies.
What can you do with this teacher certification?
Your first step is to apply!
- Teacher in grades early childhood through grade 6 or grades 4 – 8, or secondary content in public schools in Texas
- Teacher in private schools in Texas that require the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) for the grades and subjects you will teach
- Teacher in international schools with American teacher certification
- Teacher in after-school programs and youth organizations
- Teacher in juvenile detention facilities or prisons
VOICE Requirements
Admission to VOICE:
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited university or evaluation of international degree showing the equivalent
- GPA of 2.50 in last 60 hours of college work or cumulative GPA of 2.50; GPA 2.5 in 6 hours in English Composition; and GPA 2.5 in courses that apply to teacher certification area
- Letter of standing for those who previously participated in an Educator Prep Program (EPP) Student must be in good standing with EPP to be admitted to VOICE
- Accepted to UHV graduate program
- Satisfactory criminal history background check
- Evaluated transcript of an international degree
- Texas Education Agency-allowable scores on TOEFL-iBT scores if an international undergraduate or graduate degree is from outside the State Board of Education-approved list of countries
- Interview with UHV Education Program Faculty
Completion of VOICE:
- Maintenance of 3.0 GPA in VOICE classes throughout enrollment in the program since these are graduate courses
- Passing score on TExES Core Subjects/Content exam for relevant certification area.
- Passing score on Science of Teaching Reading exam (TExES #293) for EC-6 and 4-8 certification
- Passing score on PPR (TExES #160) state assessment
- Completing a satisfactory year-long practicum (internship or residency)
Core VOICE Courses:
- CUIN 6314 The Professional Educator
- CUIN 6320 Models of Teaching
- CUIN 6312 Human Development & Learning
- LITY 6334 Foundations of Developmental Reading (EC-6 or 4-8 cert)
- SPED 6321 Introduction to Special Education (SPED or 7-12 cert)
- ESLN 6314 Teaching English as a Second Language (required for ESL cert)
- ESLN 6312 Principles of Second Language Teaching (required for ESL cert)
VOICE Teacher Certification Courses
Fall Start
Fall
- CUIN 6314
- Prepare and take state certification exams
Spring
- CUIN 6320
- CUIN 6312
- SPED 6321 (SPED or 7-12 secondary certification seekers)
OR ESLN 6314 (7-12 secondary certification seekers) - 8-week Session 1:
- LITY 6334 (EC-6 and 4-8 certification seekers)
Summer
- Prepare and take state certification exams by July 1
- Apply for Internship/Teaching Positions
Fall
- CUIN 6316 Residency/Internship I
- ESLN 6312 (for ESL certification)
Spring
- CUIN 6317 Residency/Internship II
*ESLN 6314 and ESLN 6312 are required for ESL Supplemental certification.
VOICE Teacher Certification Courses
Spring Start
Spring
- CUIN 6314
Summer
- Prepare and take state certification exams
Fall
- CUIN 6320
- CUIN 6312
- SPED 6321 (SPED or 7-12 secondary certification seekers)
OR ESLN 6314 (7-12 secondary certification seekers) - 8-week Session 1:
- LITY 6334 (EC-6 and 4-8 certification seekers)
- Prepare and take state certification exams
- Apply for Internship/Teaching Positions
Spring
- CUIN 6316 Residency/Internship I
- ESLN 6312 (for ESL certification)
Summer
- Prepare and take state certification exams by July 1
Fall
- CUIN 6317 Residency/Internship II
*ESLN 6314 and ESLN 6312 are required for ESL Supplemental certification.
Other degree options and Certification Paths
M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction
Along with Texas teacher certification, you can apply up to 12 hours of VOICE courses which are graduate-level toward a 30-hour M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction at UHV.
Consider going the whole route and earn your master’s degree as you get certified to teach.
Choose your path to certification by:
- Completing the one year residency option;
OR - Completing the one year paid internship option as “teacher of record”
Testimonial
Jennifer Thompson
Since leaving UHV I have taught 3rd grade math and science in Katy ISD. I have been a team leader and I have also conducted professional development sessions for my entire campus.
Class of 2017
James Martinez, Current Student
UHV is important to me because of all my friends who became friends here. I get to work with the Professors one on one and they get to know me here.
Sophomore, Early Education
Mikayla Guillen, Senior
Everything is possible with the UHV family behind you every step of the way.