The purpose of student teaching is to provide the teachHOUSTON student with a culminating experience that is sufficiently rich and deep in the expectations, processes, and rewards of teaching. Our hope is that the complementary strengths of the teachHOUSTON Student Teacher and Cooperating Mentor Teacher will generate a synergism that benefits both people professionally.

Because teachHOUSTON students engage in numerous field experiences prior to the student teaching, teachHOUSTON Student Teachers are able to assume a teaching role very quickly.

• Student Teaching Pathways
• How To Apply For Student Teaching

Student Teaching Pathways

To become certified to teach, teachHOUSTON teacher candidates are required to complete student teaching which is similar to an internship. This experience is taken in the last one to two semesters of your UH career.

Student Teaching has two pathways, the Traditional Certification Pathway and the Alternative Certification Pathway. Those in the Traditional Certification Pathway are undergraduate STEM majors that complete the teachHOUSTON program in more than two semesters.

Pathway Program Planner

Need help deciding which pathway you should pursue? Use the Program Planner, and meet with your teachHOUSTON advisor.

Below is a chart that explains the three different pathways for one-semester and two-semester student teaching options.

This chart would replay the narrative copied below:

*May require a teaching commitment.

Yearlong Paid Teacher Residency Pathway

The Paid Teacher Residency Pathway is a two-semester pathway. You apply to work with a district in a paid position. A Teacher Residency includes the following:

• 3 days/week in a secondary math/science classroom
• 2 days/week at UH completing coursework (~9 hours)
• Payment up to ~$10,000/semester
• Mentorship by an experienced classroom teacher
• Observing, co-teaching, creating lessons, and apprentice teaching
• Participate in district level professional development
• May require a 1+ year teaching commitment

Please reach out to your teachHOUSTON faculty advisor to determine which pathway is best for you. There are also a limited number of districts that participate in the residency. Your advisor can assist you with this as well. 

How To Apply For Student Teaching

Every student that declares teachHOUSTON as their capstone must complete the student teaching requirement. To participate in this requirement, you must apply and be admitted the semester before you begin student teaching. Below is a checklist of items you must satisfy prior to applying for student teaching.

• Declared as a Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics major OR have met the requisite Math or Science course hours in your major
• Have a 2.5 major GPA
• Have a 2.5 Cumulative GPA
• Indicated as a Senior in your student account
• Currently enrolled in or have completed CUIN 3351
• Must be formally admitted into the Teacher Education Program. See your Academic Advisor to ensure this has  been completed.

Application Deadline

The deadlines below are for application completion for student teaching in the following semester. It is ideal to apply at least 2 semesters in advance of your student teaching semester in order to secure the best placement for you.

• Fall Application Deadline: February 1, 2026
• Spring Application Deadline: September 1, 2026

To learn more about student teaching contact the teachHOUSTON Faculty Advisor, Dr. Karen McIntush at kemcintu@central.uh.edu.