Urban Teachers – Teacher Preparation in Secondary English Language Arts

Department of Curriculum and Instruction

Designed to provide a research-based and practical teaching experience, the Urban Teachers English (UTE) Graduate Certificate is for individuals looking to earn their Texas teaching certification tailored specifically for linguistically and culturally diverse urban settings. Through a combination of extensive field and coursework, the certificate program prepares students to teach English Language Arts in grades 7–12.

Students who complete this 21-hour program will earn a Texas Teaching Certificate and have the option to apply all credits toward a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction (M.Ed.). This flexible pathway allows students up to six years to apply their credits toward the 42-hour M.Ed. program, making it possible to teach full-time while pursuing a graduate degree.

For program-related questions, contact Program Advisor Deborah Kelt.

For admissions inquiries, contact Stephen Flynn.

You will earn:

A Texas Teaching Certificate in English/Language Arts, grades 7-12
English as a Second Language (ESL) Endorsement
A certificate with 21 graduate hours that can be applied to a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction (M.Ed.) at UT Austin

Coursework

Total minimum hours: 21 hours

Summer | 3 hours

EDC 385G Teaching and Learning in Urban Contexts – Online Course

Fall | 6 hours

EDC 382S Teaching Secondary English and Reading
EDC 390T Literature for Young Adults

Spring | 9 hours

EDC 380T Writing Process and Pedagogy
EDC 698P Student Teaching Internship*

Summer | 3 hours

EDC 385G Second Language Acquisition

*Students will also attend scheduled seminars to support their student teaching work.

Additional Requirement: Background Check

This program requires fieldwork in area schools, and to undertake that fieldwork, school districts require that university students each pass a criminal background check. If a student does not pass the criminal background check, she or he will be unable to complete the required work of the program, and any offer of admission will be canceled.

Certification Recommendation

Once you successfully complete all of the steps to become a teacher, including passing the relevant exams approved by the Texas Education Agency, you may be recommended for certification to the TEA by our certification officer. Be sure to reference the Certification Checklist on the Field Experiences wiki for additional information.

Faculty