Become an Instructor
Process & Deadline
The instructor certification process is an essential program component and represents a high level of professional trust and respect. Interested high school teachers are encouraged to begin the certification process well in advance of the certification deadline — January 31. Teachers must be employed at either a UConn ECE Partner high school or interested in starting the program at their high school to apply for certification. Becoming a UConn ECE Instructor is a scholarly achievement that may require several interactions. The academic cultures found within secondary and post-secondary educational settings vary in many substantive ways which is why we take this process seriously. While teaching an AP course at a college level is an important general achievement, teaching specific university courses for a particular institution is a unique accomplishment.
The application process resembles that of a job application and each part is an essential component in the package. Applicants will want to represent themselves as having the interest and awareness of a UConn ECE Instructor, making it clear to the UConn academic department that they are applying for UConn certification, which is different than other programs (e.g., Advanced Placement, International Bachelorette, or another college program). Please refer to our Pathways to Certification PDF for an overview.
The application cycle for 2026-2027 will open on December 1, 2025. The deadline to submit completed applications for review for certification for the 2026-2027 academic year is January 31, 2026. If there is an emergency situation during the 2025-2026 academic year where a new instructor is needed to replace a currently certified instructor who has resigned or retired, please contact ece@uconn.edu.
Certification Requirements
Many disciplines require a Master’s Degree in the content area in order to qualify for certification. Other disciplines may accept a Master’s Degree in Education, with a Bachelor’s Degree in the subject area and two or more content-based graduate courses in the appropriate discipline. It is unlikely for a first-year teacher to obtain certification.
Discipline-specific requirements for courses may include:
- Examination of laboratory facilities in the sciences
- Class size policy
- Submission of specific curriculum materials requested
- Purchase of an approved textbook
- Appropriate class time scheduled to insure reasonable comparability to the scheduling of the course on campus
Please read the Instructor Certification Application carefully and review the specific requirements for each University Department. If you have an academic record with UConn, you must still include your UConn transcript with your application.
Graduate course scholarships are awarded each semester by UConn ECE Program Office to teachers who need to fulfill an academic requirement to become certified. Courses do not have to be taken at UConn. Often coursework must be successfully completed before certification can be granted.
Cover Letter & Syllabus Guidance
Cover letters and your proposed syllabus are the first points of engaging with the academic department. These two documents require special attention. The cover letter should be no shorter than one full page and should demonstrate your passions, expertise, and your understanding of how this University course is different than your high school course. The cover letter should be specifically tailored to your UConn ECE certification application and not a letter used to apply for a high school teaching position or any other purpose. In the fine arts, humanities, and social sciences, a two-page cover letter is appropriate. Please write about your background, research interests, and other qualifications.
UConn English Handbook for UConn ECE
