Department of Urban Education

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Ashwini Tiwari, Ph.D., Chair
C440, 713-226-5252, tiwaria@uhd.edu

Elizabeth Stackhouse, Ph.D., Assistant Chair, Undergraduate Studies
C440, 713-222-5349, stackhousee@uhd.edu

Bernado Pohl, Ph.D., Assistant Chair, Graduate Studies
C440 713-221-5051, pohlb@uhd.edu

Faculty

Programs of Study

Undergraduate/Post-Baccalaureate

Bachelor of Arts in Education

Alternative Certification Program

Certification Areas

Core Subjects Early Childhood-Sixth Grade with ESL Supplemental

Core Subjects Early Childhood-Sixth Grade with Bilingual Supplemental

Special Education Early Childhood-Twelfth Grade and Core Subjects Early Childhood-Sixth Grade with ESL Supplemental

Core Subjects Fourth-Eighth Grade with ESL Supplemental

Secondary, Seventh-Twelfth Grade, (undergraduate degrees to be obtained in Science, English, Mathematics, or History content-areas) with certifications in the following: 

• Bachelor of Science in Biological and Physical Sciences with Concentration in Secondary Teacher Education
• Bachelor of Arts in English with Concentration in Secondary Teacher Education
• Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics with Concentration in Secondary Teacher Education
• Bachelor of Arts in History with Concentration in Secondary Teacher Education

Mission and Objectives

The Department of Urban Education offers preparation for both undergraduate and post-baccalaureate students seeking Core Subjects, EC-6, with ESL Supplemental, Core Subjects, EC-6, with Bilingual Supplemental (students seeking this option must be proficient in Spanish), Core Subjects, 4-8, with ESL Supplemental or Secondary, 7-12, certification in Mathematics, Science, History, Social Studies, or English. The professional development sequence of classes includes field-based courses that are conducted in selected public schools in several Houston metropolitan districts.

Graduates who earn a BA in Education will be able to demonstrate:

• teaching competency in multicultural settings;
• competency in the factors related to the development of effective teaching environments in urban classrooms;
• competency in the academic areas of language arts, social studies, mathematics and the natural sciences;
• competency in the area of computer/technology;
• competency on the state TExES exams; and
• eligibility for certification to teach in Texas.

Building upon an understanding of cultural, economic, and linguistic diversity developed through the program’s general education requirements and its Urban Education Core, three of the four professional development semesters provide opportunities for future teachers to:

• observe and interact with master teachers and divergent learners within the school setting;
• interact with children of diverse backgrounds and experiences to create an understanding of themselves, their own culture, and the cultures of others;
• develop a community of learners which acknowledges the similarities of diverse members and appreciates differences;
• plan and implement effective strategies which ensure academic success for all learners; and
• use technology in effective ways to enhance student achievement.

To promote and ensure student success, the design of the curriculum is based on (a) state certification standards, (b) the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills, and (c) the state teacher education proficiencies. It is strongly recommended that teacher candidates successfully pass the TExES state examinations required for teacher certification prior to completion of student teaching. It is expected that at the end of the teacher education program, the new teacher will have internalized the state-identified proficiencies for teacher education and will be ready for certification.

Alternative Certification Program (ACP)

Post-baccalaureate students seeking certification must meet the requirements for admission to the Urban Education program and have a minimum 2.5 cumulative grade point average. Students interested in secondary certification must also have a 2.5 GPA in their area of specialization. Students seeking secondary mathematics or science certifications must also have 24 hours in the content area with 12 hours at the upper division level.

Teacher certification is available in Core Subjects, EC-6, with ESL Supplemental and Secondary, 7-12, Education.

Completers of the Alternative Certification Program will be able to demonstrate:

• competency in the area of computer technology;
• competency in the areas of effective teaching practices and effective teaching environments that enhance student learning;
• competency in teaching diverse learners;
• competency on the TExES exams; and
• eligibility for certification to teach in Texas.

The Alternative Certification Program (ACP) starts in the summer mini semester of each academic year. Please check the Department of Urban Education website for the application deadline. The successful completion of all components of the Alternative Certification Program is required before students are recommended for standard certification. Please see the Urban Education website for more information.

Please note:
As state guidelines change, program revisions may occur. Teacher education programs are developed in response to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) and Texas Education Agency (TEA) regulations and guidelines. Thus, course requirements and sequencing are subject to change. All students pursuing teacher certification plans must understand that the advising staff will make every effort to communicate program changes as they occur, but it is the responsibility of each student to stay apprised of any changes that may affect degree plans. Thus, constant monitoring of plans is necessary, and students are urged to visit regularly with an academic advisor and to check the TEA website for teacher certification changes (http://www.tea.state.tx.us/).

Honor Society

Kappa Delta Pi

Student Organizations

Requirements for Urban Education Undergraduate Degrees

The degree programs in Urban Education require 123 semester credit hours (SCH). For degree completion, the last 45 SCH, representing the professional development and field-based courses, must be earned through instruction offered by the University of Houston-Downtown.

Graduation requires successful completion of all course work including four professional development semesters, three of which include field work on a campus in a local district. In addition, certification requires passing scores on all state-mandated TExES certification exams.

Programs

• Education - Core Subjects Fourth-Eighth Grade with ESL Supplemental Certification, BA
• Education - Core Subjects, Early Childhood - Sixth Grade, with the Science of Teaching Reading and Bilingual Supplemental Certification, BA
• Education - Core Subjects, Early Childhood - Sixth Grade, with the Science of Teaching Reading and ESL Supplemental Certification, BA
• Education - Special Education EC-12 and Core Subjects, Early Childhood - with STR and ESL Supplemental, BA

Courses

• BED 3307 - Academic Proficiencies in Spanish for the Bilingual/Dual Language Teacher
• BED 3311 - Foundations of Bilingual and ESL Education

• PED 3314 - Children’s Literature in Spanish
• PED 4380 - Field Experience in Urban Public School Classrooms

• READ 3316 - The Science of Teaching Reading for the Purpose of Biliteracy in the Bilingual/Dual Language Classroom
• READ 3317 - Connecting Language, Culture, and Academic Content for the Development of Biliteracy and Biculturalism
• READ 4306 - Literacy Methods and Assessment Across the Curriculum for the Bilingual/Dual Language Classroom

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