This page contains information about Texas Health Science teacher certification. The University of North Texas assists future teachers completing certification for secondary Health Science certification, however, the State Board for Educator Certification makes the final decision on all teacher certification in the State of Texas. This decision is made, after you have completed a minimum of one-year teaching internship in Health Science. Please do not construe this website as "the official word." Again, The University of North Texas (and all other Texas institutions and other certification agencies) only makes a recommendation for certification to the SBEC. SBEC makes the final decision on all teacher certification in the State of Texas.
Graduate Credit or CPE?
The University of North Texas has two options for Health Science teacher certification. The first option is to take the required certification courses for graduate credit. Fifteen of these 18 hours can be used towards a Master of Education degree in Applied Technology, Training and Development. Teachers who hold a masters degree generally make from $700 to $1000 annually above those with only a bachelors degree.
The second option is to pursue Health Science certification as a Continuing Professional Education (CPE) candidate. The requirements to complete your certification for CPE are similar to the graduate credit option, although the cost is considerably less and CPE courses cannot be used toward a master's degree. See the costs and deadlines for the CPE program. It is important to note that the CPE option does NOT grant any type of "credits."
For information regarding the CPE option, please go to the CPE home page.
The Health Science certification requirements are divided into a number of categories. The first category is the completion of the four Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities (PPR) courses and completion of a minimum of the two instructional internships. All four of the PPR courses (ATTD 5110, ATTD 5120, ATTD 5130, and ATTD 5140) will be offered every summer. If you choose to delay beginning your program, ATTD 5110, and ATTD 5120 will be offered every fall semester and ATTD 5130, and ATTD 5140 will be offered every spring semester.
Most teachers complete their required certification courses in one year. For a suggested certification schedule go to the Options Table if you are doing certification for graduate credit, or choose Timetable Options for CPE candidates.
All certification courses, as well as the instructional internship, are 100% online.
During the instructional internship you will be assigned a campus based mentor and a university supervisor. The campus based mentor will be working with you to assist you in the transition to your new profession as an Health Science teacher. A mentor guide and an instructional internship guide will be made available to you and your campus based mentor.
Once you have accepted a teaching position, you must enroll in the Instructional Internship (ATTD 4740/6030) course. You can either take the four PPR courses in the summer or during the fall and spring semesters.
In addition to completing the coursework and internships, there are additional HSTE certification requirements as specified by SBEC. One of those requirements is to attend the Summer Professional Development Conference. You may attend the Summer Professional Development Conference prior to teaching and prior to beginning your certification program; in fact you are strongly encouraged to attend the summer conference prior to teaching. Go to www.texashste.com.
The second requirement is to complete a self study package for the Health Science TExES examination.
The third requirement is to participate in the PPR and Health Science TExES review session, held on a Saturday on the University of North Texas campus in the fall, spring and summer semesters (instruction sheet). You must attend one of the review sessions, so that you may take the practice examination for the PPR TExES and the Health Science TExES examinations. Those candidates who successfully complete the practice examinations will be issued the bar codes so that they may take the PPR and Health Science TExES examination. Attendance at the TExES review session is your only required visit to the UNT campus. Go to TExES.
Once you have completed all of the requirements for your certification, you may then apply for your Standard Teaching Certificate.
Step 1
Career Development Plan
A Career Development Plan (deficiency plan) lists the required courses and activities that the applicant MUST complete before UNT will recommend a student to SBEC for certification in Health Science.
A Career Development Plan is needed for a teacher to be hired by a school district to teach Health Science. You do NOT have to complete the requirements for certification before you can be hired. However, an official Career Development Plan must be on file with the school district before you can begin teaching. Please note that ALL new Career and Technical Education educators teachers are hired in this manner.
The following is needed before a Career Development Plan can be processed:
- Official transcripts of all colleges/universities ever attended
- $25 money order payable to the University of North Texas (non-refundable) indicating your name and social security number
- Photocopies of any relevant current certifications or licensures (These must be current.)
- Statement of Qualification (SOQ) form. Please mark "Health Science" for your certification area (on the front page)
When you have gathered/completed the above mail it to:
- Dr. Jerry Wircenski
University of North Texas
Program of Applied Technology, Training & Development
Matthews Hall 316
P.O. Box 310530, Denton, Texas 76203-0530
(940)565-2714, (940)565-2057 program office
e-mail: akadrj@unt.edu
To enroll in courses for graduate credit you will need to be admitted to the University of North Texas (Admissions). To enroll in courses as a Continuing Professional Education (CPE) student, please complete the CPE Admissions form (MS Word Format).
What happens once the application has been received?
A faculty advisor will evaluate the applicant's work experience and coursework and sends an unofficial Career Development Plan worksheets to the College of Education Student Advising Office.
- Applicants enrolling for Continuing Professional Education
NOTE: CPE applicants are "enrolled" in course through the ATTD Program office. - Applicants enrolling for Graduate Credit
NOTE: Graduate students "enroll" on-line through the regular university registration process.
Second, the College of Education Certification Officer verifies the application and processes an "Official Career Development Plan". The official Career Development Plan is mailed directly to the applicant once the process is complete. The official Career Development Plan will be completed approximately 6 weeks from the time that all necessary paperwork is received. If you have a question about when the application will be completed, please contact Stella Winsett at winsett@coe.unt.edu, or 940/565-2740.
Step 2
Complete Career Development Plan Requirements
Qualifications and certification requirements for Health Science:
Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.
Current licensure, certification, or registration by a nationally recognized accrediting agency as a professional practitioner in one or more health occupations for which instruction is offered. The preparation program for licensure or certification must require at least two years of formal education.
Two years of approved wage earning experience.
Completion of the following UNT certification courses:
- ATTD 5110 (Designing Instruction in Career and Technical Education [CATE])
- ATTD 5120 (Instructional Strategies in CATE)
- ATTD 5130 (Professional Roles and Management in CATE)
- ATTD 5140 (Work-based Learning in CATE)
- ATTD 6030 (Instructional Internship) (Must enroll in both the fall and spring semester)
Completion of TExES PPR review and successful completion of the PPR TExES examination.
Completion of Health Science TExES review and successful completion of the Health Science TExES examination.
Attend the Summer Health Science Professional Development Conference.
Step 3
Applying for Certification
Once you have completed all of the requirements listed on your Career Development Plan (See Step 2) you are eligible to apply for your Health Science Standard Teaching certificate.
You will need to go to www.coe.unt.edu/sao/TeacherCertification/CertAppInstruc.html for instructions to apply online to SBEC for your Standard Teaching certificate. Look over the list on the website and compare it with your official Career Development Plan to be certain that you have all of the required documentation ready. Please remember that you are responsible for "keeping track" of certification activities, classes, paperwork and documentation.
After you have looked over the instructions on the website, if you have any further questions regarding the documentation requirements, you may contact Stella Winsett at winsett@coe.unt.edu, or 940/565-2740. Stella's office is located in the College of Education Student Advising Office, Matthews Hall 105, P.O. Box 311337, Denton, TX 76203-1337.
Once you apply online, your application will automatically appear on Ms. Winsett's electronic listing for verification that all requirements for UNT have been met. Once she has verified that all of UNT's requirements have been met, she will recommend you to the State Board for Educator Certification. The State Board for Educator Certification will make the final decision on issuing your certification. This is a five year renewable certificate.
Step 4
Continuing Professional Development
Continue to Learn! It is an expectation that every teacher in the State of Texas continue to improve their knowledge, skills and attitude throughout their lives. The program of Applied Technology, Training and Development will continue to assist teachers in this endeavor as it has during the past three decades. There are a number of Continuing Professional Education opportunities on this website - Professional Development.
Even More Information
Everyone always likes more information....so, here is the information.
Program of Applied Technology Training and Development (ATTD):
- This program offers certification coursework and is housed in the College of Education at the University of North Texas. This program offers Career and Technical certification in Health Science, Marketing Education, and Trade & Industrial Education.
College of Education Student Advising Office:
- This office processes all official certification paperwork. Dr. Jerry Wircenski can assist you in contacting the correct person in this office when necessary.
Texas Education Agency (TEA)/Career and Technical Education Marketing Education
- From their web-site: "We are here to help the educators, counselors, administrators, parents, students and others with their questions and concerns about Trade and Industrial Education."
State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC):
- Mission Statement: "Ensure the highest level for Educator preparation and practice to achieve student excellence."
