Alternative Certification Program
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Texas A&M University-Commerce's Alternative Certification (AC) program is uniquely designed for those who have previously earned their bachelor's degree and now seek to make a career transition into the teaching profession. The program, which spans 13-14 months, is organized into three phases, Pre-Internship, Internship, and Post-Internship. Pre-Internship occurs prior to teaching and provides intensive training designed to introducing future teachers to a variety of teaching strategies, classroom management skills, the basics of curriculum development, approaches to student motivation, and much more. An Internship may be completed by one of two pathways and marks the beginning of a career in teaching. A candidate who is successful in obtaining a teaching position may teach on a Probationary Certificate and complete a one-year internship. Candidates who are unable to obtain a teaching position may elect to complete internship through a one-semester student teaching experience. The focus of course work and the internship is on continued professional development and the application of best teaching practices. Post-Internship marks the conclusion of the program. This final phase will help derive further meaning from your experiences and establish your future professional goals.
Teacher candidates may complete a state content test (TExES) through on-line PACT testing prior to being fully admitted into the AC program. All candidates must be successful on the content TExES prior to being fully admitted into the AC program and beginning an internship in order to be considered highly qualified in the content area.
(PACT) Pre-Admission Content Tests
Visit www.texes.ets.org for updated information regarding registering for a content test.
***Requirements Prior to Beginning an Internship***
- Candidate must meet all admission requirements
- Candidate must be eligible for a probationary certificate based on SBEC guidelines prior to internship
- Candidate must complete 30 hours of field-based experience in a TEA recognized EC-12 classroom. NOTE: An application requesting an observation placement, a log sheet, and reflection questions are available on our website https://www.tamu-commerce.edu/teacher/ACP/ACP-OBS.asp. The log sheet and reflection questions must be completed and submitted as documentation to verify completed hours. Submit all documentation to the Office of Educator Preparation, Education North 202.
- Candidates must complete 80 hours of training. NOTE: For the Mesquite/Commerce program this is a minimum of 6 hours (2 courses) listed on the teacher certification plan. For the Navarro Program, 80 hours of training consists of 1 course (3 hours) and 4 scheduled workshops.
Basic Skills must be met in addition to meeting the required reading score:
THEA/TASP 250; Accuplacer 88; ACT verbal 23; Compass verbal 90; SAT Verbal 550; OR (new criteria) Passing scores on Content exam prior to admission (PACT); acceptable GRE scores or hold a Master's Degree from an acceptable accredited college or university.
Program Guidelines
What is Alternative Certification?
Alternative certification is a route to obtaining teacher certification for those individuals who have already obtained a bachelor's degree, but who did not choose teacher certification as a part of his/her primary degree path. Provided that you meet program admission criteria, this route will enable you to acquire pre-employment training, pursue and accept a (paid) teaching position, and complete full state certification training and testing requirements while teaching on a probationary certificate.
What Are The Primary Program Components?
The AC program at Texas A&M University-Commerce offers: High Quality Professional Development, On-the-Job Training, Intensive Support and Supervision, Accelerated Program Completion, State Teacher Certification, and Graduate Level Course Work Credit
What Type Of Teaching Certificates Are Available?
Early Childhood (EC)-6
- Bilingual Generalist
- English as a Second Language (ESL) Generalist
- Generalist
- Generalist
- English Language Arts/Reading
- English Language Arts/Reading/Social Studies
- Math
- Math/Science
- Science
- Social Studies
- Agriculture Science (grade 6-12)
- Business (grade 6-12)
- Chemistry
- Computer Science
- English Language Arts/Reading
- Family and Consumer Science
- History
- Journalism
- Life Science (Biology major)
- Marketing Education (Career & Technology)
- Mathematics
- Physical Science (Chemistry major)
- Science
- Social Studies
- Speech
- Technology Education (grade 6-12)
- Art
- Generic Special Education
- Health
- Health Science Technology
- Music
- Physical Education (Kinesiology)
- Spanish
- Technology Applications
- Theater
For detailed information regarding Career & Technology Education in the fields of Trade and Industrial Education, Business Education, Marketing Education and Health Science please contact Dr. Rusty Waller at 903-886-5109.
What are the Admission Requirements?
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- A bachelor’s degree from a regionally-accredited institution of higher learning verified by a sealed, certified transcript
- An overall grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.50 on a 4.0 scale on all college and/or university course work including professional development, teaching field, or interdisciplinary courses with no grade below a "C" or on the final 60 SCH of course work toward a bachelor’s degree verified by sealed, certified transcripts from every college and/or university attended
- Basic skills in reading required as demonstrated by a score of at least 250 on THEA (TASP) Reading test or a 88 on ACCUPLACER, 90 on the COMPASS, 550 on the SAT, 23 on the ACT reading/verbal sections, a Master's degree, appropriate GRE scores or passing scores on a content area TExES test. This is required even if the applicant is exempt from testing for admission to Texas A&M University-Commerce. You may check available testing dates through the A&M-Commerce Student Assessment Office:
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- $50 (non-refundable) fee (check or money order made out to TAMU-C)
- Transcripts from all universities, colleges, and community/junior colleges attended (unofficial are initially acceptable, the graduate school will require official transcripts);
- Record of Basic Skills requirements met (i.e., copy of official score report or transcript with scores visible);
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What is The Difference Between Texas A&M University-Commerce & Other Programs?
The structure (pre-internship, internship, and post-internship) and the length of the program is basically the same, but may vary in the delivery of training. Most accelerated alternative certification programs will conclude in 13-14 months. The cost of the program is very competitive with most programs in the state averaging between $3,500 to $5,000 or more in cost. The primary difference in the Alternative Certification program completed through A&M-Commerce is, a candidate will not only receive a Texas Teacher Certification, but will also receive graduate level course credit that may be used toward a Master's Degree. Programs that are not university-based are unable to offer graduate course work. A certified teacher will quickly learn the professional and financial value of having a Master's degree when teaching. Finally, established in 1889, A&M-Commerce has a long tradition of producing quality teachers and administrators. We encourage you to do your research on the program that best fits your need, but rest assured, you will not go wrong with Texas A&M University-Commerce.
Texas A&M University-Commerce Alternative Certification program courses are offered at both the Mesquite Metroplex Commuter Facility (2600 Motley Drive in Mesquite, TX) and A&M-Commerce campus. Candidates are required to complete the Internship phase in a TEA accredited school district within 70 miles of Mesquite or Commerce. Check the Texas Education website to verify TEA accredited schools in Texas.
HOW DO I APPLY TO THE ALTERNATIVE CERTIFICATION PROGRAM?
To make application, please click and complete the ONLINE APPLICATION FORM at the link below. Candidates are requested to include the following items with the application confirmation form:
NOTE: Documentation of 30 hours of observation and in a Pre-K–12th grade instructional setting will be required prior to your internship semester. Documentation must include: Observation Log Sheet, Completed Reflection Questions, and a signed letter from a school official confirming the 30 hours of observation. If you have not completed the 30 hours of observation, please contact Shon DeFelice (Shon_DeFelice@tamu-commerce.edu) to seek assistance with an observation placement. Upon completion of the observation, please submit the program application confirmation page, transcripts, observation documentation and application fee.
You may mail your completed Application Confirmation Form with the items listed above to the following address:
Texas A&M University-Commerce
Office of Educator Certification and Academic Services
P.O. Box 3011
Commerce, TX 75429-3011APPLY TO THE GRADUATE SCHOOL PRIOR TO ENROLLING IN COURSES
Candidates must apply to the Graduate School prior to enrolling in courses at Texas A&M University-Commerce. Applying to the Graduate School is a convenient online process that is in addition to submitting an application to the Alternative Certification Program. You may make application to the Graduate School by visiting http://www.tamu-commerce.edu/gradschool/. Move your cursor over the left-side banner to "Apply Online." Move to and select the "Certification/Educator Certification" link; complete and submit the form. In addition, immediately send the Graduate School your $50 application fee and official copy of your undergraduate degree transcript. If you do not have access to the internet, you may request a hardcopy application by calling 903-886-5163.
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Check out our New AMTRAC program for teacher certification at AMTRAC
ALTERNATIVE CERTIFICATION (AC) PROGRAM CONTACT INFORMATION
Robert Nottingham, Certification Coordinator, Robert_Nottingham@tamu-commerce.edu
Erin Swinson, Educator Certification Partnership Coordinator, Erin_Swinson@tamu-commerce.edu
Jency Holbert, Director, Educator Certification and Academic Services, Jency_Holbert@tamu-commerce.edu
B E A T E A C H E R !
Phone: 903-886-5182 ☻ Fax: 903-886-5156
www.tamu-commerce.edu/teacher
