Secondary Education Teacher Certification

The Secondary Education Program works to prepare future middle and high school teachers in a variety of subject area disciplines. This program consists of 24 semester credit hours.

The University of North Texas is currently offering certifications in the following areas: Chemistry, History, Life Science, Physical Science, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies.

This is a 24-hour program equivalent to eight courses. Of those 24 hours, 18 hours (6 courses) are online coursework, and the remaining 6 hours (2 courses) are either student teaching or internship. Students in this program may count a number of courses toward a MEd in Teaching if they apply to and are accepted into that degree program.

Before applying to the Secondary Certification program, you need to have a bachelor’s degree (in any field), and 24 college credit hours (including 12 upper-level) in the field you want to teach. Once you are a fully certified teacher in one field, you can become certified in additional fields by examination only if you meet the minimum coursework requirement.

 For the following fields, the 24 hours (including 12 upper-level) need to include at least one 3-hour course with a grade of C or better in each of the following:

Apply to Graduate Admissions

UNT reviews graduate program applications holistically. We consider all parts of the application and supporting documentation to determine admission. Contact your department directly for specific requirements as admission decisions are made at the program level.

Keep in mind that program application deadlines vary. Check our Deadlines and Fees for more details. 

1. Start Your Application

Apply with the UNT GradCAS (Centralized Application System). To get started, select the term you plan to start classes in.

2. Submit Application Material

Inside the application portal you are able to:

• Request transcripts from institutions that will be tied directly to your application
• Upload documents like resume, statement of purpose, writing samples, etc.
• Provide contact information for your recommenders to submit letters of recommendation via our system

3. Pay Application Fees

Submit the $75 non-refundable payment* for the application which will prompt our office to begin the evaluation process.

Transcripts and other academic documents

Learn how to submit official documents.

Official transcripts are required from every college or university you have attended and must arrive by the application deadline. The transcripts must show you have earned a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution (or equivalent). If you are applying prior to graduating with your bachelor’s, submit your current transcript to allow for admission consideration. If admitted, you’ll be required to submit a final transcript with your degree posted.

Contact the colleges and universities you have attended about their processes for providing official transcripts. Most institutions provide transcripts electronically directly to us, all you have to do is request it.

If you previously attended the University of North Texas, you are not required to provide your UNT transcript to the UNT Office of Admissions. We will be able to obtain this from the registrar's office for you.

Send all application inquiries to:

Doug McCollum
Academic Advisor
University of North Texas
Department of Teacher Education and Administration
1155 Union Circle #311335
Denton, TX 76203-5017
Email: coe-pbadvisors@unt.edu

Course Requirements for Certificate (24 hours)

Secondary (7-12) Certification

• EDCI 5010 Everyone Can Learn: Applying Theory to Teaching Practice
• EDSE 5004 Literacy for All
• EDCI 5020 Curriculum Development for the EC-12 Classroom
• EDCI 5030 Establishing Effective Classroom Learning Environments
• EDBE 5582 ESL Content Instruction
• EDSP 5740 or 5750 Learning Strategies for Promoting Proficiency in Content Area Subjects for Exceptional Learners

* If you are seeking a certification in STEM or English/Language Arts, you will be required to take two 3-hour STEM/Reading courses instead of EDBE 5582 and EDSP 5750. Your certification program will still be 24 hours total. *

Clinical Teaching/Internship (6 hours)

• EDEE 5101 - Student Teaching in EC through Grade 6 and
• EDEE 5102 - Student Teaching in EC through Grade 6

Or

• EDEE 5105 - Internship I and
• EDEE 5115 - Internship II

Two state exams must be passed for the student to become certified by the state:

•  TExES Content Exam (recommended to be taken after completion of at least 12 hours)
• TExES Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities EC-12 Exam (recommended to be taken after the Content Exam)

To attain the teaching certificate, candidates must complete all course work, attain passing scores on the appropriate state examination, and send an application to TEA for the certificate.

NOTE: The Clinical Practice is complete within a radius of 50 miles from UNT – Denton. For more information contact your academic advisor.