Frequently Asked Questions
2. How long has the University of North Texas been involved in Health Science certification?
10. What is the purpose of the instructional internship?
11. How is my campus-based mentor selected?
13. Is my campus-based mentor paid to work with me?
17. Do I need to take the Health Science certification courses in any particular order?
18. How long do I have to complete my certification program?
22. How do I document my attendance at the Summer Professional Development Conference?
24. Are there any review sessions for the PPR TExES and Health Science TExES examinations?
25. Why must I complete the coursework before I take the PPR TExES examination?
26. If I don’t do well on the PPR review examination? What are my options?
27. When are the review sessions held?
28. If I decide to do my certification program as a CPE candidate, how do I apply?
33. Can I apply for financial assistance if I enroll in the Health Science certification program?
34. Why must I be continually enrolled in my instructional internship course?
36. Can I pay for my CPE program by credit Card?
38. Why must I be enrolled every semester?
1. Do I have the option of completing my Health Science certification courses for graduate credit or completing the courses as a Continuing Professional Education (CPE) candidate?
Yes, one option is to take your Health Science certification courses for graduate credit. Five of the six courses that you will take as part of your certification program can be used toward a Master of Education degree, thus giving you 15 credits towards a 36 hour masters degree. The second option is to take the courses as a Continuing Professional Education (CPE) candidate. Taking the courses as a CPE student is similar to taking the courses for graduate credit except those taking the courses for graduate credit have a few additional assignments. The biggest difference is the cost of the certification program. The cost of the certification program for graduate credit is approximately $4500. The cost of the CPE program is approximately $2,100. (University tuition and CPE fees are subject to change.) Click here to display CPE program cost table and deadlines.
2. How long has the University of North Texas been involved in Health Science certification?
The University of North Texas has been involved in Health Science certification for over 25 years. Over the past ten years the University of North Texas has expanded its participation in working with Health Science professionals throughout the state. In fact, Renee Tonquest, Curriculum Specialist has been responsible for the development for the Health Science curriculum that is distributed at the Summer Professional Development Conference. Funding for the development of the Health Science curriculum has been awarded to the University of North Texas by TEA. A number of CDs have been produced by health care professionals working in conjunction with the staff at the University of North Texas. If you have not visited the website, please do so at www.texashste.com for copies of the Health Science curriculum materials as well as a listing of professional development activities, video clips, and other helpful information.
3. Are the requirements for Health Science certification similar if I do the courses for graduate credit or as a CPE student?
No, the expectations for graduate credit are more rigorous than for those required as a CPE candidate.
4. If I change my mind in the middle of doing the certification program for graduate credits and want to change to the CPE option, can I do this?
Yes, any coursework that you take for graduate credit can be used toward your CPE requirements.
5. If I start taking courses as a CPE student and later decide to do my Master of Education degree, will those courses count?
Unfortunately, the answer is no. Any courses taken as a CPE student cannot be used on a graduate degree plan.
6. I am a certified science teacher in the state of Texas. What requirements must I complete in order to qualify for Health Science certification?
Since you are a certified teacher in the state of Texas, your requirements for Health Science certification are a little different. You would need to enroll in ATTD 5140 (Work-based Learning), attend the Summer Professional Development Conference, complete the Health Science TExES self-study materials, participate in the Health Science TExES review session and pass the Health Science TExES exam. You will NOT need to take another PPR TExES exam or do an instructional internship.
7. Can you provide me with a little more information about the courses that I am required to take as part of the Health Science certification program?
You will be required to take a minimum of six courses as part of your certification program. There are four online Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities (PPR) courses and two online instructional internship courses. You will be required to enroll in the instructional internship course until you pass the practice exams. All fees associated with these 6 courses are included in the program costs. The four online courses, ATTD 5110 - Instructional Design, ATTD 5120 - Instructional Strategies, ATTD 5130 - Professional Roles and Responsibilities, and ATTD 5140 - Work-based Learning will be offered each summer. Instructional Design and Instructional Strategies will be offered every fall. Professional Roles and Responsibilities and Work-based Learning will be offered every spring. ATTD 6030 - Instructional Internship will be offered only during the fall and spring semesters, as it requires working with your mentor and university supervisor. If you do not pass the TExES exams you will be charged an extra fee for each additional enrollment in the instructional internship course.
8. It is my understanding that the coursework associated with Health Science certification, whether taken for graduate credit or as a CPE candidate, is 100% online. Is that correct?
Yes, all coursework associated with Health Science certification, whether taken for graduate credit or as a CPE candidate, is 100% online. You will only be required to attend the PPR TExES and Health Science TExES examination review sessions held in the summer, fall or spring on the Denton campus. All travel expenses associated with attendance at the review session are the responsibilities of the candidate and are not included in the total cost of the program.
9. Will I be completing a “student teaching experience” as part of the Health Science certification program?
No, you will not be completing a student teaching experience. You will be the “instructor of record,” teaching in your own classroom. You will be assigned a campus based mentor and a university supervisor to assist you in the transition to becoming a successful Health Science teacher.
10. What is the purpose of the instructional internship?
The instructional internship is a minimum of two semesters so you will work with a mentor to assist you in completing the requirements for your Health Science certification and to help you with the transition from a health care worker to a Health Science teacher. Your campus mentor will be paid a stipend for his or her services as your mentor. This stipend is included in the program fees and there will be no additional cost to you. If you do not complete the required 4 on-line courses or you do not pass the TExES practice exam(s) you will be required to enroll in your instructional internship course until you have satisfactorily completed the requirements. Your campus-based mentor will be working with you, as well as a university supervisor, in assisting you in your first year of teaching.
11. How is my campus-based mentor selected?
You will be actively involved in the selection of your campus-based mentor. When possible, your campus-based mentor will be another Health Science teacher. If another Health Science teacher is not available, we will look to you and your school administrator to help identify an instructor in the school who can serve as your campus-based mentor.
12. It sounds to me as though the mentor is going to be doing quite a bit of work with the new intern, what is their motivation to serve as a good mentor?
The campus-based mentor will be a professional who is keenly interested in assisting a new Health Science teacher begin the transition from health care worker to a Health Science teacher. The compensation costs for your mentor are included in the fees associated with your CPE certification program.
13. Is my campus-based mentor paid to work with me?
Your campus-based mentor is paid $200 each semester from your instructional internship course fee.
14. Is the PPR (Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities) TExES exam that I take for Health Science certification different from the PPR exam that other 8-12 teachers take?
No, the online courses are similar to other courses for any teacher who is going to be teaching in grades 8-12. The courses that have been developed at the University of North Texas are somewhat different in that there are examples throughout the courses that relate to Career and Technical Education, and specifically to Health Science. In addition, there are activities in the UNT courses that will go in your electronic portfolio that can be utilized in your Instructional Internship.
15. Do the courses meet the PPR standards as identified by the State Board of Educator Certification (SBEC)?
Yes, the six certification courses address the knowledge and skills as outlined by the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC).
16. What is the suggested schedule that a candidate for Health Science certification should follow to complete their certification requirements?
We strongly suggest that you complete the certification requirements in 4 semesters (summer, fall, spring, summer) in order to not incur any additional expenses. It is suggested that candidates follow one of the two options listed on the appropriate table.
See Health Science Options Table if taking courses for graduate credit, or see Health Science Timetable Options for CPE candidates.
17. Do I need to take the Health Science certification courses in any particular order?
No, the courses are related but they are designed to stand alone.
18. How long do I have to complete my certification program?
You will have 3 years to complete your certification program. But we strongly suggest that you complete the program in 4 semesters (summer, fall, spring, summer). You may choose to take the four PPR courses in the summer and enroll in the instructional internship courses in fall and spring. It is recommended that you attend the Summer Professional Development Conference prior to teaching. You will need to complete the Health Science TExES self-study materials and attend the review sessions for the PPR TExES examination, as well as the Health Science TExES examination during the fall, spring or summer semester. See Health Science Options Table if taking courses for graduate credit, or see Health Science Timetable Options for CPE candidates.
19. If I started my program at another institution or agency, can I change to the University of North Texas?
Yes, you may certainly do that, but you will be required to meet all of the requirements outlined in the program for Health Science certification at the University of North Texas. That would mean that you would have to begin with another Statement of Qualification form (SOQ) and complete the four required PPR courses, as well as a minimum of two internship courses. Along with the Health Science TExES study materials, you would also be required to attend the PPR TExES and Health Science TExES review sessions. The reason for this is that the certifying agency, in this case the University of North Texas, is held accountable for the passing of its candidates on both the PPR TExES and Health Science TExES examinations. Therefore, any coursework that is completed at another institution or agency will not be utilized since accountability will be held to the University of North Texas. The one exception to this rule will be your attendance at the Summer Professional Development Conference. This will be recognized by the University of North Texas as meeting part of your Health Science certification requirements.
20. Do I still need to complete the Statement of Qualification (SOQ) form if I am taking the program as a CPE candidate?
Yes, you will still need to complete the Statement of Qualification (SOQ) form. The $25 processing fee for the Statement of Qualification must be attached along with official transcripts.
21. If I do the program as a CPE candidate, do I need to attend the Summer Professional Development Conference?
Yes, attendance at the conference is required, whether you are doing the courses for graduate credit or as a CPE candidate.
22. How do I document my attendance at the Summer Professional Development Conference?
When you participate in the summer conference, you will be issued a certificate. It is your responsibility to retain a copy of this certificate and forward a copy to the University of North Texas certification office for documentation of your attendance.
23. I understand that there is no coursework to take in preparation for the Health Science TExES examination. Is that correct?
Yes, there is no coursework for you to take in preparation for the Health Science TExES examination. But there is a self study package that you are to review and you must attend the Health Science TExES review session.
24. Are there any review sessions for the PPR TExES and Health Science TExES examinations?
Yes, there is one required review session for the PPR TExES examination and one required review session for the Health Science TExES examination. There will be one review session offered for each summer, fall and spring semester. The cost of the review session and the practice examinations is included in the CPE program costs.
25. Why must I complete the coursework before I take the PPR TExES examination?
The coursework (ATTD 5110, ATTD 5120, ATTD 5130, ATTD 5140, ATTD 6030, and ATTD 6030) is built around the PPR requirements as identified by the State Board for Educator Certification.
26. If I don't do well on the PPR review examination, what are my options?
You will receive an individualized "prescription" for improving your PPR and/or Health Science TExES practice exam scores. You will be required to attend a second review session at no additional charge.
27. When are the review sessions held?
The review sessions for the TExES PPR examination and Health Science TExES examination will be held in the summer, fall, and spring semester each year.
28. If I decide to do my certification program as a CPE candidate, how do I apply?
You will complete the one page application form, found on our website and attach a check or money order in the amount of $50 made out to University of North Texas. This application fee is non-refundable.
29. If I paid my application fee to take the certification courses as a CPE candidate and decide to change to taking them for graduate credit, do I have to pay the university application fee?
Yes, the university graduate application fee in the amount of $50 will be paid to the Graduate School. The $50 application fee that you paid to take the Health Science certification courses as a CPE candidate is non-refundable.
30. I have paid my application fee for taking the Health Science certification program courses as a CPE candidate. Is there an installment plan for paying the remaining program costs?
Yes, the program costs can be paid in installments. The first installment is due when you enroll in your first course. When you enroll, your confirmation sheet will explain when the installments are due.
31. Does the cost of the program include the cost of PPR TExES review and PPR TExES exam, as well as the Health Science review and Health Science TExES exam?
Yes, all of the fees associated with the review sessions for both the PPR TExES and the Health Science TExES examinations are included in the cost of the program.
32. If I discontinue the Health Science certification program as a CPE candidate, can I get a refund for the unused portion?
Yes, you will receive a refund for the unused portion of your Health Science certification program.
33. Can I apply for financial assistance if I enroll in the Health Science certification program?
Yes, if you enroll in the Health Science certification program for graduate credit.
No, if you enroll as a CPE candidate.
34. Why must I be continually enrolled in my instructional internship course?
SBEC requires that all new teachers be "mentored" until they are eligible for their standard teaching certificate.
35. If I am dropped from a course by my instructor or I choose to drop a course, are there any additional fees charged?
If you are dropped by your instructor for unsatisfactory progress, there is a $100 fee charge to re-enroll in EACH COURSE. If you drop a course the same fee, per course applies. The only exception is if your course drop is supported by a letter from your physician indicating that you were unable to complete a computer-based course due to medical reasons. This documentation must be provided at the time of your course drop.
36. Can I pay for my CPE program by credit Card?
Not yet, but we are working on it!
37. If I want to enroll in the minimum number of courses in the fall or spring, what course must I take?
As a minimum, Health Science certification teachers must enroll in their Instructional Internship course, ATTD 6030.
38. Why must I be enrolled every semester?
SBEC requires all certification candidates to make "satisfactory progress" in their certification program; therefore, you must be enrolled in at least one course each semester until you pass the two TExES exams.
