Catholic Teacher Certificate
The Catholic Teacher Certificate Program is designed for teachers already teaching in Catholic schools, newly hired by a Catholic school, as well as those interested in teaching in Catholic schools who wish to develop, support, and enhance their pedagogical skills and commitment to Catholic education. The certificate program offers not only distinctive professional development in education but also emphasis on the integration of faith into teaching and learning. Teachers and prospective teachers enrolled in the program will gain foundational knowledge, methodology, and practical experience in the field of Catholic education. In particular, students will develop skills and learn strategies for integrating Catholic values into the curriculum.
Although the Catholic Teacher Certificate program is designed to meet the needs of Catholic school teachers across the nation, a University of Dallas Catholic Teacher Certificate allows a teacher or prospective teacher to not only meet but also exceed the Texas Catholic Conference Education Department pedagogy requirements to teach in Texas Catholic Diocesan schools. In addition, courses earned toward the certificate may be used to satisfy some of the Texas Education Agency (TEA) and Texas State Board of Educator Certification (SBEC) requirements for full Texas public school teacher certification.
Eligibility Requirements
- Bachelor’s Degree with a minimum overall GPA of 2.75, or 2.75 in the last 60 hours
- Commitment to Catholic education
- Verbal Proficiency (To be assessed during the application process)
- Writing Proficiency (To be assessed during the application process)
Admission Requirements
The following information must be submitted when applying to the Catholic Teacher Certificate Program:
- A completed online application for admittance to the Braniff Graduate School
- Statement of Purpose (a personal statement addressing why you want to be a teacher)
- Writing sample
- All official college transcripts sent directly to the Braniff Graduate Office from each college or university attended by the applicant (even if no credit or degree was earned). Applicants must have at least a 2.75 GPA, verifiable by their transcripts.
Tuition
The University of Dallas offers Catholic school teachers reduced cohort pricing. Catholic school teachers and/or prospective Catholic school teachers who are accepted into the Catholic Teacher Certificate Program will be identified as members of the Catholic Education Cohort.
Outline of the Program
The Catholic Teacher Certificate Program is designed to meet the needs of those interested in teaching in the elementary, middle school, or high school grades in Catholic schools. It requires a student to complete 18 credit hours. The courses required for the certificate vary depending on the level (elementary or secondary) of Catholic teacher certification sought.
All students seeking Catholic Teacher Certification are required to take the following 12 credit hours:
Courses:
PLUS one of the following:
| NSOM 6375 | Catechetics and the Development of Faith | 3 |
| Or | |
| An approved NSOM elective from the School of Ministry | 3 |
Students may pursue one of the two certificate options:
A. Catholic Teacher Certification with Elementary Education Emphasis (6 credit hours required):
Students seeking the Catholic Elementary Teacher Certificate with an interest in teaching at the elementary level (grades K-6) are required to complete the following additional courses:
Courses:
| EDU 6333 | Foundations of Literacy Learning | 3 |
PLUS one of the following:
B. Catholic Teacher Certification with Secondary Education Emphasis (6 credit hours required):
Students seeking the Catholic Secondary Teacher Certificate with an interest in teaching at the secondary level (grades 6-12) would be required to complete the following additional courses:
Courses:
| EDU 5323 | Reading in the Secondary Schools | 3 |
EDU
| Elective | 3 |