Education Programs

The Rice Education programs seek to prepare and support leaders for student-centered schools in a diverse society.

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About Us

The Education Program offers teacher and leadership preparation programs that integrate work in courses with field-work experience. Additionally, the program facilitates a network of support for students and alumni to empower teacher leaders to continue to grow and evolve as professionals.

The programs provide strategic, continual practice to engage, prepare and support students in the exploration of critical issues in education. We are committed to fostering reflective teacher leaders and administrators in a changing global society.

Rice Education Programs

Master of Arts in Teaching

The Rice MAT degree provides a strong exploration of the pedagogical and curricular issues necessary for teaching diverse students in our evolving communities, with paths for new teachers, experienced teachers and Rice undergraduates. A key element to the program is the extensive fieldwork which links the children, teachers, and classroom practices of urban schools to the course work. Students can choose a plan of study that offers state of Texas teacher certification or principal certification.

Learn more about the Master of Arts in Teaching

Alternative Teacher Certification Program

Rice University offers an alternative certification program for post-bac career changers. Course Specialties/Teaching Fields include: Art EC-12, English Language Arts and Reading 7-12, History 7-12, Spanish EC-12, Mathematics 7-12, Science 7-12 (Eligible to teach the following subjects: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Earth Science, Environmental, Astronomy), Social Studies 7-12 (Eligible to teach the following subjects: Economics, Geography, U.S. Government, U.S. History, Texas History, World History, Psychology, Sociology)

Learn more about Alternative Teacher Certification

Teacher Certification Programs for Rice Undergraduate Students

Rice University offers teacher certification through either a traditional, university-based program of 21 credit hours, or a 5-year master’s degree. Course Specialties/Teaching Fields include: Art EC-12, English Language Arts and Reading 7-12, History 7-12, Spanish EC-12, Mathematics 7-12, Science 7-12 (Eligible to teach the following subjects: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Earth Science, Environmental, Astronomy), Social Studies 7-12 (Eligible to teach the following subjects: Economics, Geography, U.S. Government, U.S. History, Texas History, World History, Psychology, Sociology)

Learn more about Teacher Certification Programs for Rice Undergraduates

Principal Certification

Rice's Principal Certification Program brings together the values and requirements of the Texas Education Agency with the academic quality of Rice University. You will learn how to develop a strategic vision that prioritizes high quality instruction and student achievement; establish a school-wide culture committed to improving student learning through clear goals, targets and strategies; cultivate a reflective practice that focuses on solutions, treat challenges as opportunities and support staff through organizational changes.

Learn more about Principal Certification

Who We Are

Brenda Rangel, Ed.D.
Assistant Dean
Rice Center for Education

Ugochi Emenaha, Ed.D.
Associate Director (EC-6), Master of Arts in Teaching
Rice Center for Education

Meredith Austin, Ed.D.
Associate Director, Master of Arts in Teaching
Rice Center for Education

Miriam Vicente
Enrollment Coach and Advisor
Rice Center for Education

Marcie Carlson
Senior Program Administrator
Rice Center for Education

Diana Lum
Program Administrator
Rice Center for Education

Dr. Shelah Crear
Director, Student Success Initiatives and Instructor, Education
Rice Center for Education

Carrie Owens
Associate Director, Rice Office of STEM Engagement and Field Supervisor, Education
Rice Center for Education

Steve Amstutz
Instructor, Education
Rice Center for Education

Barrett Doke
Instructor, Education
Rice Center for Education

Anthony Nguyen
Instructor, Education
Rice Center for Education

Education Preparation Program (EPP) Reporting Information

Rice University State Exam Pass Rates
Rice University State Supply and Demand
Rice University Title II Report
Rice University Effect of Supply and Demand
Rice University Grievance Policy

Veterans and Transfer Applicants

The Education Program welcomes students transferring from accredited institutions of higher education.

Information for Military Veteran Applicants
You may find information about veteran benefits, credit transfers, and application process here.

Information for Transfer Applicants
Six credit hours may transfer from another Institution of Higher Education (IHE) that specifically correlate with the Rice University Education (EDUC) courses. The transferring courses must demonstrate an alignment to the Teaching Standards in 19 TAC, Chapter 149.

A candidate transferring from another IHE as an undergraduate student must complete at least 24 credit hours of a 30 credit hour coursework program in the Rice University Education Department. The Department does not offer an undergraduate degree in Education; therefore, candidates must major in the area they want to teach. To be admitted to the program, candidates must have completed 12 credit hours in their content area, 15 credit hours for math and science.

Graduate students transferring from another IHE must complete at least 30 credit hours of a 36-hour coursework program and must have 24 credit hours in the content area or 12 credit hours in the content area, 15 for math and science, and passing scores on the Pre-Admission Content Test (PACT).

Candidates transferring into the Rice University Education Department from an alternative certification program must complete 30 credit hours of a 30 credit hour coursework program. Clock hours from an Alternative Certification Program are not accepted for a graduate degree at Rice University.

If a transfer candidate has a bachelor’s degree and has 12 hours of content in a teaching certificate that the program offers or 15 hours of math or science content, then a passing score on the PACT is required prior to admission into the Rice University Education Department.

If a candidate has taken and passed the content and Pedagogy and Professional Responsibility exams those scores are transferable. Field-based experience from another educational preparation program is not transferable for the required Education Department’s field-based experience work in the semester or the year prior to the clinical practicum or internship year.

Fingerprinting/Criminal Background Check

Candidates will not be issued either a probationary or a standard teaching certificate from the State of Texas without the fingerprinting/criminal background check. Candidates may apply for the criminal background check prior to submitting an application into an educational preparation program, but must be done prior to being on any school campus with the program. If the results of the process are unsatisfactory, the candidate may petition the TEA for reconsideration of the results.

For further information about preliminary checks:

Criminal history record information includes both conviction and arrest records. The State of Texas (by House Bill 1508 in 2017) the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB), the Texas Education Agency (TEA) and the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) require that an educator preparation program inform all certification program applicants and candidates about the State’s rules on criminal background checks from the Texas Occupations Code Chapter 53, the Texas Education Code Chapter 22.0831 and the Texas Administrative Code, Part VII, Chapter 227, Subchapter B. For further information about criminal history checks see TEA’s Investigations web page: http://tea.texas.gov/Texas_Educators/Investigations/

A school district may deny the placement of a participant with a criminal background.