TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY-COMMERCE
ALTERNATIVE CERTIFICATION PROGRAM
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION AND HUMAN SERVICES
The model for the Texas A&M University-Commerce Alternative Certification program is specially designed for adults who have previously earned their bachelor's degree and who now seek to make a career transition into the teaching profession.
The program, which spans 13‑14 months, is organized into three cohorts. Each cohort includes three phases, pre‑internship, internship, and post‑internship:
PRE‑INTERNSHIP SUMMARY
The pre‑internship phase provides intensive professional development training that introduces you to models of teaching, curriculum development, classroom management, the development of reading and study skills, motivation of student achievement and evaluation of student learning.
INTERNSHIP SUMMARY
An internship is required and must be served in a public school district, or TEA accredited charter or private school within a 70 mile radius of Commerce or Mesquite, Texas. Assignments outside the 70 mile radius must be approved by the AC Program Director.
Once internship begins, a partnership is formed between the program and your employing district. You will benefit from intensive supervision that consists of structured guidance and regular ongoing support from a university supervisor and school district mentor teacher. There are two choices of internship:
1. A year-long paid internship where you are employed as the teacher of record in your certification area. You must teach no less than an average of four hours a day in the area in which you are pursuing certification . This type of internship is dependent upon finding a position, and it is the sole responsibility of the candidate to find an acceptable position.
OR
2. A one-semester unpaid student teaching internship where you are assigned to a mentor teacher's classroom. This is a full day, five days per week commitment. The placement for student teaching will be determined by the AC Program staff. Completion of a separate student teaching application is required and may be found online at teachcert.tamuc.edu/teacher/ACP/ACP-STAP.htm . Deadline for making application is April 1 for the fall semester and October 15 for the spring semester. You may learn more about the requirements from the website or through an inquiry to AC program staff.
Once placed in an internship, the program appoints a university supervisor who provides constructive feedback on a regular basis after conducting classroom observations. A mentor teacher, one who is recognized as a master teacher, is appointed by the district to work with you and provide support. Your mentor serves as a professional model for you to follow and is the one to whom you turn for advice and guidance on a daily basis. The principal also plays an active role in supervising your professional development by conducting evaluations of your teaching performance. The university supervisor, mentor and principal make up your Instructional Leadership Team (ILT) whose purpose is to provide support during your internship and lead to your success in the classroom.
During the internship, concurrent enrollment in professional development coursework at A&M Commerce is required, but they will be conducive to your daytime work schedule.
POST‑INTERNSHIP SUMMARY
The post‑internship is designed to be the completion phase of the program. The purpose of post‑internship may be four‑fold:
1. To help you derive meaning from the experiences of your internship;
2. To introduce new content which will extend your professional development;
3. To stimulate your thinking about goals and objectives you will strive to accomplish during your second year of teaching; and
4. If necessary, complete preparation for state certification examinations through additional professional development.
The program is a rich and rewarding experience. The courses and the internship are demanding, and many times you will be stretched to the limits of your endurance. But at the same time, you will achieve important personal and professional goals, you will develop many deep and meaningful professional relationships, and you will emerge as a fully certified teacher ‑‑ one who will make enduring contributions to students and to the teaching profession.
AVAILABLE CERTIFICATES IN THE ALTERNATIVE CERTIFICATION PROGRAM
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Early Childhood – 6th Grade |
4th Grade – 8th Grade |
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EC-6 Generalist EC-6 Bilingual Generalist EC-6 ESL Generalist
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4-8 English Language Arts & Reading 4-8 Mathematics 4-8 Science 4-8 Social Studies 4-8 English Language Arts & Reading/Social Studies 4-8 Math/Science 4-8 Generalist (English Language Arts & Reading, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies) 4-8 Bilingual Generalist (English language Arts & Reading, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies) 4-8 ESL Generalist (English language Arts & Reading, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies) |
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8th Grade – 12th Grade |
6th Grade – 12th Grade |
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8-12 Computer Science 8-12 English language Arts & Reading 8-12 History 8-12 Social Studies (Composite) 8-12 Life Science 8-12 Physical Science 8-12 Physics/Math 8-12 Science (Composite) 8-12 Chemistry 8-12 Mathematics 8-12 Speech 8-12 Journalism 8-12 Technology Applications 8-12 Technology Education |
6-12 Basic Business 6-12 Spanish 6-12 Agricultural Science and Technology
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All Level (Early Childhood – 12th Grade) |
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All Level (Early Childhood – 12th Grade) Special Education All Level (Early Childhood – 12th Grade) Art All Level (Early Childhood – 12th Grade) Music All Level (Early Childhood – 12th Grade) Health Education All Level (Early Childhood – 12th Grade) Physical Education All Level (Early Childhood - 12th Grade) Spanish All Level (Early Childhood – 12th Grade) Technology Applications |
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6th Grade – 12th Grade Vocational Certificates |
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We do offer Family and Consumer Sciences contact Bob_Williams@tamuc.edu and 8-12 Trade and Industrial Education and Career and Technology, contact Rusty_Waller@tamuc.edu for more details. |
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
There are certain general admission requirements for all applicants and other requirements that are specific to your level and area of certification.
General admission requirements for all applicants are as follows:
1. Bachelor's degree from an accredited university recognized by the Graduate School
Note: Applicants who are currently completing degree requirements will not be admitted until degree is conferred. In addition, applicants presenting a degree from a university outside the United States must submit their transcripts to an accredited evaluation service, and admission to the program will be based on the results of the evaluation provided by the service. A list of accredited evaluators may be obtained from the program office or from any university registrar. If you have already completed this, please submit your transcripts and evaluation.
2. Overall GPA of 2.50. All post secondary coursework from accredited institutions will be taken into consideration (i.e., community college and college/university). Note: We also have the option of looking at your last 60 hours to determine GPA.
Note: Developmental courses will not be counted toward GPA or required coursework. If a course is questionable, program staff will determine if a course is developmental.
3. Acceptable Basic Skills of Reading, Math and Writing. They may be met by one of the following options in each area.
Basic Skills for Admission to Teacher Education**
READING REQUIREMENT
THEA/TASP 250; Accuplacer 88; SAT
Verbal 550; ACT Verbal/Reading 23; Compass Verbal 90; acceptable GRE scores; holds a Master’s Degree from an
acceptable accredited college or university
or passing scores on the Content Exam (TExES)
prior to admission (PACT)
MATH REQUIREMENT
Accredited Degree, THEA/TASP 230; Accuplacer
63; SAT 500; ACT 19;
acceptable GRE scores or “C” or better in college level Math course.
WRITING REQUIREMENT
Accredited Degree, THEA/TASP 220; Accuplacer (Sentence Skills 80 and Written Essay 6) or “C” or better in Freshman Composition.
4. Successful written and/or oral interview conducted by program staff or outside agency.
Note: Meeting the minimum admission requirements does not constitute a guarantee of admission. An interview will be conducted to determine if you possess characteristics conducive to the profession of teaching. Completion of a successful interview will be at the discretion of program staff. No justification is required if program staff determines that you have not completed a successful interview. You should know and understand this prior to making admission. The interview may not be orally.
5. Orientation to program.
6. Meet admission requirements for Specific Certifications:
Each certification area must be documented by college courses recorded on transcript(s). Specific admission requirements for each level of certification include:
EC-6th Grade Generalist, Bilingual Generalist or ESL Generalist Certification
· 24 semester hours with a 2.50 GPA in the following combination of subjects: English, Math, Science and Social Studies (History and Government) with at least three hours in each subject with no grade lower than a “C”.
4-8 Generalist, Bilingual Generalist or ESL Generalist Certification
· 36 semester hours with a 2.50 GPA in the following combination of subjects: English, Math, Science and Social Studies (History and Government) with at least nine hours in each subject with no grade lower than a “C”.
· or eligible to “Challenge the Test”
4-8 Combination Certification (English, Language Arts and Reading/Social Studies; Math/Science; )
· 24 semester hours (12 advanced) in each specific content area with a 2.50 GPA with no grade lower than a “C”.
· or eligible to “Challenge the Test”
4-8 Certification (English, Language Arts and Reading; Science; Math; and Social Studies)
· 24 semester hours (12 advanced) in specific content area with a 2.50 GPA with no grade lower than a “C”.
· or eligible to “Challenge the Test”
Grades 6-12, 8-12 and All level Certification except Science and Social Studies
· 24 semester hours (12 advanced) in specific content area with a 2.50 GPA with no grade lower than a “C”.
· or eligible to “Challenge the Test”
Grades 8-12 Science and Social Studies
EC-12 Special Education
General notes concerning admission that applies to all applicants. An applicant who has been admitted to another teacher certification program may not be considered for admission. In addition, an applicant who has exhibited unprofessional behavior at A&M-Commerce as evidenced on the “Professional Behavioral Standards Evaluation Form” will not be considered for admission. An applicant may not appeal any portion of the admission requirements.
Notice to current or former Texas A&M University-Commerce students. If you are a graduate from Texas A&M University-Commerce, or you have taken content teaching field courses from A&M-Commerce, you may be subject to additional content teaching field coursework, training, or testing in order to receive a barcode (i.e., permission) to take your content teaching field state certification test. This will be determined by program staff, in conjunction with the appropriate academic department.
All students who meet admission requirements to the EC-6 program will be allowed to take an (initial) EC-6 Generalist TExES, regardless of whether you are a graduate of A&M-Commerce or another institution. Based upon your score on the EC-6 Generalist TExES, additional coursework may be prescribed. For example, if you pass, no content-related coursework will be prescribed. If you fail, additional coursework (determined by program staff) will be prescribed. In addition, all prescribed coursework will need to be successfully completed prior to a second barcode being issued. The EC-6 Generalist TExES will need to be passed prior to being considered “Highly Qualified,” approved for internship, and recommended for a probationary certificate. (Note: The policy detailed in this paragraph does not apply to students who have previously failed the EC-6 Generalist TExES and are in the process of completing prescribed coursework to receive a second barcode. This policy will only be applied to individuals who have not taken the EC-6 Generalist TExES.)
“Challenge the Test”
Consideration of Past Experience or Training in Lieu of Content Teaching Field Hours
An applicant’s past experience or training may be considered in lieu of the number of semester credit hours required in the content teaching field. For those individuals who do not meet the number of semester credit hours required in the content teaching field, but do possess appropriate past experience or training, the decision may be made to allow the applicant to “Challenge the Test” and prove content teaching field competence. This option is at the discretion of program staff and will be determined during the admissions process. Graduates from A&M-Commerce, or those who have taken content teaching field courses from A&M-Commerce, will not be allowed to “Challenge the Test.” In addition you will not be considered “Highly Qualified” or eligible for a Probationary Certificate until you have passed the required content teaching field test.
Registering for TExES/ExCET Test
PACT (Pre-Admission Content Test)
Any student that has not been fully admitted to a certification program and approved to test through an EPP may take any content area test (TExES) to help meet "highly qualified" status. Please view www.texes.ets.org for registration and prep material information.
For those that don't qualify for PACT option.
All registration must be coordinated through the Texas A&M-Commerce TExES/ExCET office. You may register in person or by calling (903) 468-3082. To be eligible for TExES/ExCET tests students must meet the following criteria:
PROGRAM COURSE REQUIREMENTS
The following courses are required for each certificate level (EC-6, 4-8, 8-12, EC-12, & EC-12 Special Education). The order will vary depending upon the cohort (summer, fall, and spring). If you are seeking Bilingual or ESL certification in addition to the requirements listed in the chart below you will be required to complete 6 additional hours. Those hours are:
Bilingual Teacher - The courses listed below (18 hours) plus BLED 501 & 502 = 24 hours
ESL Teacher - The courses listed below (18 hours) plus BLED 501 & 512 = 24 hours
BLED 501: Theoretical Foundations of Bilingual/ESL Education
BLED 502: Social & Academic Language Development for Bilingual Learners
BLED 512: Social & Academic Language Development in English for Bilingual Learners
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Early Childhood - 6th Grade (18 credit hours) Bilingual and ESL (24 hours) |
4th Grade – 8th Grade (18 credit hours) |
8th – 12th Grade & EC – 12th Grade (18 credit hours) |
EC-12th Grade Special Education (24 credit hours) |
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ELED 514 (3 hrs) (Full Admission to AC Program Required.) Mgmt & Curriculum Dev.
ELED 515 (3 hrs) (Internship Placement Required.) Pre-requisite: ELED-514 Effective Teaching Diverse Env.
PSY 500 (3 hrs) Cognition, Learning & Dev.
ECE 566 (3 hrs) Early Childhood Environments
RDG 515 (3 hrs) Reading & Learning in Content
RDG 516 (3 hrs) Foundations of Reading Inst. ______________________ Additional for Bilingual
BLED 501 (3 hrs) Theoretical Foundations Bil/ESL
BLED 502 (3hrs) Social & Academic Lang Deve for Bilingual _______________________ Additional for ESL
BLED 501 (3 hrs) Theoretical Foundations
BLED 512 (3hrs) Soc & Academic Lang Deve in English for Bil. |
ELED 514 (3 hrs) (Full Admission to AC Program Required.) Mgmt & Curriculum Dev.
ELED 515 (3 hrs) (Internship Placement Required.) Pre-requisite: ELED-514 Effective Teaching Diverse Env.
PSY 500 (3 hrs) Cognition, Learning & Dev.
RDG 515 (3 hrs) Reading & Learning in Content
One course from following: ELED 524, ELED 530, ELED 557, or ELED 558.
One course from following: SPED 520, ETEC 557, EDCI 559, or other approved graduate course. |
SED 514 (3 hrs) (Full Admission to AC Program Required.) Mgmt & Curriculum Dev.
SED 515 (3 hrs) (Internship Placement Required.) Pre-requisite: SHED-514 Effective Teaching Diverse Env.
SED 516 (3 hrs) Educational Research
SED 517/RDG 515 (3 hrs) Reading & Learning in Content
ETEC 557 (3 hrs) Integrating Technology
PSY 500 (3 hrs) Cognition, Learning & Dev |
SED/ELED 514 (3 hrs) (Full Admission to AC Program Required.) Mgmt & Curriculum Dev.
SED/ELED 515 (3 hrs) (Internship Placement Required.) Pre-requisite: SHED/ELED-514 Effective Teaching Diverse Env.
SED 517/RDG 515 (3 hrs.) Reading & Learning in Content
PSY 500 (3 hrs) Cognition, Learning & Dev
SPED 520 (3 hrs) Intro to Exceptional Children
SPED 524 (3 hrs) Characteristics of Students w/Mild Dis.
SPED 526 (3 hrs) Characteristics of Students w/Mod. Dis.
SPED 535 or 536 (3 hrs) Behavior Modification
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Letter of Admission. A letter of admission and “Statement of Eligibility (SOE)” for internship will be issued when the applicant meets all general admission requirements AND the definition of “Highly Qualified” according to No Child Left Behind (NCLB) legislation. “Highly Qualified” requirements must be substantiated by proof of coursework on college transcripts or, if applicable, passing an acceptable state certification test in your desired certificate area. If a course is questionable, program staff may request course descriptions or syllabi. Program staff will determine if a course is acceptable.
The letter of admission and SOE may be submitted to school districts when applying for a teaching position. You must apply for positions in the level and area of certification listed in the letter and SOE. Without a teaching placement you will not be able to proceed to the internship portion of the AC program.
Highly Qualified Requirements
EC-6 Generalist, Bilingual Generalist or ESL Generalist Certification
4-8 Generalist, Bilingual Generalist, ESL Generalist Certification
4-8 Combination Certification (English, Language Arts and Reading/Social Studies; Math/Science; )
4-8 Certification (English, Language Arts and Reading; Science; Math; and Social Studies)
Grades 6-12, 8-12 and All level Certification except Science and Social Studies
Grades 8-12 Science and Social Studies Certification
EC-12 Special Education
NOTE: Although some students are required to pass the appropriate content test to be “Highly Qualified,” we encourage all eligible students to take the test as soon as possible. All eligible students must make an initial attempt to pass their content teaching field test within the first year as indicated on their certification plan.
Those not passing the content test on their initial attempt are subject to departmental evaluation. This evaluation could lead to significant coursework being added to their certification plan. These courses will be required prior to receiving a second barcode. Regardless, you may not exceed three years in the program.
Observation. You must complete 30 hours of observation in a Pre-K through 12th grade instructional setting prior to internship. Observation hours must be verified by a mentor teacher or campus principal/director and completed in an acceptable instructional/educational setting. Substitute, educational aide, volunteer, or other teaching experience may be accepted if it is verified. If necessary, A&M-Commerce may assist with placement in order to satisfy this requirement. Program staff will determine if your experience is acceptable. (NOTE: This requirement must be met prior to beginning an internship but flexibility on completion of observation hours may be allowed for late admission applicants.)
Approval for internship. You must successfully complete the pre-internship phase of training (80 hours of training which equal two of our certification courses or one course and four workshops if participating in the Navarro Program) plus all other requirements prior to beginning internship. If not, you may be dismissed from the program, required to re-take pre-internship, or required to move to a future cohort
The internship begins when you gain employment or are placed for student teaching in a Texas Education Agency (TEA) accredited school within a 70 mile radius of Commerce or Mesquite. To determine acceptable TEA schools, you may search TEA’s Web site at http://askted.tea.state.tx.us/.
Probationary Certificate. During your internship, you will be required to teach on a Probationary Certificate, issued by the State Board for Educator Certification. You must teach on a Probationary Certificate as “teacher of record” for at least one year in the content area in which you have been admitted by A&M -Commerce. You may only serve on a permit and/or probationary certificate for a total of three years. In conjunction with the application for the Probationary Certificate, a fingerprinting and criminal records search are conducted. The Probationary Certificate is not the same as emergency certification. Note: Because of the NCLB legislation, we no longer issue deficiency plans for emergency permits for initial teacher certification. If you are recommended, but not approved for a Probationary Certificate by SBEC, you will be dismissed from the Teacher Education Program at Texas A&M-Commerce.
Completion of internship. In order to successfully complete internship, you must remain employed in an acceptable position during the duration of your internship. If at any time you are released from your position by your school district, or you resign from your position, you will be dismissed from the Teacher Education Program at A&M-Commerce. The only exception is if your resignation is amicable between you and your school district, and you immediately assume an acceptable position and successfully complete internship. This exception also requires a statement of agreement by your mentor teacher and university supervisor, stating that they believe that you have been making satisfactory progress in teaching and that you should be allowed to continue working in the profession.
Your successful completion of internship will be graded on a pass/fail basis. Members of your Instructional Leadership Team (ILT) will determine your grade at the conclusion of internship. Your ILT will be comprised of a university supervisor, and mentor and/or principal. You will receive an internship handbook that will serve as a guide for all members of the ILT. If the decision is made that you have failed to successfully complete internship, you will be dismissed from the program. The only exception is if your ILT recommends that you continue with an additional year of internship training. If this occurs, you will be required to obtain an extension of your probationary certificate for another year and pay all fees associated with an additional internship. In addition, a growth plan will be initiated and you may be required to complete additional professional development or content related training/coursework.
POST‑INTERNSHIP COMPLETION
If you are successful in completing internship and all courses prescribed during the internship year, or you are retained for a second year to complete additional requirements, you may move to the post-internship phase of training. This phase must be completed successfully prior to program completion. Post-internship is not designed to include training for passing state certification tests, but it may if you have not already passed your required tests.
RETENTION AND DUE PROCESS
1.
Continue to meet the grade point averages
required by the AC program. (A 2.5 overall, content and
professional development area grade point average are required with no
grades lower than a “C”.)
2.
Successfully complete courses as outlined on
the certification plan. Coursework is designed to be completed the first
year in the program.
3.
Meet and adhere to all requirements listed on
the certification plan.
4.
Successfully complete an internship according
to program guidelines.
a.
Receive recommendation for certification from
both the principal and university supervisor at the end of your internship.
This recommendation is required prior to the AC Program recommending you for
standard certification. The university supervisor is responsible
for submitting the completed form to the AC Program. Failure to receive a
recommendation will result in dismissal from the program.
Exception: You may be retained in the program, if the principal, university supervisor and AC Director agree that some or part of the internship must be repeated
until standards for a successful internship are met. The intern will be responsible for additional costs related to added supervision.
b.
Maintain employment at all times during a
paid internship, from the beginning of the public school academic calendar year
until the end. If at anytime you resign or are
dismissed from employment, you will be automatically dismissed from the
program.
Exception: The only exception is if your resignation is amicable between you and your school district, and you immediately assume an acceptable position and
successfully complete the one-year internship. This exception also requires a statement of agreement by your mentor teacher and university supervisor, stating
that they believe that you have been making satisfactory progress in teaching and that you should be allowed to continue working in the profession.
c.
Maintain attendance at all times during an
unpaid student teaching assignment. The AC Program staff will determine
the dates of internship. If at anytime you
resign or are dismissed from student teaching, you will be automatically
dismissed from the program.
Exception: If the school district assigned for student teaching offers employment prior to the completion of student teaching. The AC Program staff will determine
requirements for completion of internship.
5.
Pass the subject (content area) TExES/ExCET examination on your
initial attempt during your first year in the program.
NOTE: If you are not successful in your initial attempt, the Certification Office and appropriate department will evaluate the test results and choose one of the following options:
a.
Not allow the post-baccalaureate student to
pursue certification with a teaching field in the department,
b.
Examine the post-baccalaureate student’s test
results and past experiences to determine coursework to be listed on his/her
deficiency plan. (If a certification plan has already been issued, hours may
be added, changed or deleted based on test performance, which will nullify the
previous plan.) In addition, the student must meet all departmental ExCET/TExES bar code requirements
prior to being eligible to receive a bar code to retake the exam.
6.
Comply with the Texas Teacher Code of Conduct
as outlined in the Texas Education Code and exhibit professional behavior at
all times. At any time, university or school district personnel may
initiate a professional behavioral concern that will be considered by the
Instructional Leadership Team and/or ACP Director at Texas A&M-Commerce.
These parties, or party, may decide whether or not the behavior violates
acceptable professional behavior standards, and whether or not dismissal will
be the result.
7.
Enroll, fund and attend all prescribed
coursework, training and internship in the designated semesters and at the
designated times. This includes being punctual and remaining in
attendance for the entire training.
NOTE: All fees related to the AC Program must be paid in full prior to being recommended for certification.
Exception with regard to attendance: Participation in a required/authorized university activity, verified illness, death in the student’s immediate family, or obligation of a student at a legal proceeding may be considered as excused by individual faculty. All absences must accompany authorization/verification of reason. Individual faculty may determine their own attendance policy. The above exceptions may be considered when a policy is not apparent.
8.
Continue to make yearly progress towards
certification. (This may include continuing to successfully complete
course work on the certification plan, passing the required content area or PPR
(Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities) TExES/ExCET tests and/or
completing an approved internship.
9.
Comply with all practices, policies, and
requirements written herein.
In accordance with due process, students who are dismissed will be issued a letter describing the reasons for dismissal, including any supporting documentation (if applicable). Within a prescribed time-frame, if the student believes that the practices, policies, and/or requirements written herein were not followed, a student may write a letter of appeal to the Senior Director of Educator Preparation at A&M-Commerce. The Senior Director will review the letter of dismissal, supporting documentation (if any), and the student's letter of appeal to determine if the policies, practices, or requirements written herein were not followed. Professional judgment regarding the action or behavior will not be re-considered. Only whether or not the conditions of this document were followed will be considered. If the ruling is in favor of the student's appeal, program staff will determine the conditions of re-admission and remaining program requirements leading to initial certification. The Senior Director's decision is final.
COST FOR TRAINING
Application fee. An application fee of $50.00 will be charged. This nonrefundable fee will cover the application processing.
Approximate training cost. Professional development training in the program is obtained through enrollment in university coursework. The approximate totals for University tuition and fees are:
Early Childhood – 6th Grade Program..........$4,300
Early Childhood – 4th Grade Bilingual Program..........$5,900
4th Grade – 8th Grade Program..........$4,300
4th Grade – 8th Grade Bilingual Program..........$4,300
8th Grade – 12th Grade or 6th Grade – 12th Grade Program..........$4,300
All Level Program (excluding special education)..........$4,300
All Level Special Education Program..........$5,900
NOTE: The approximate cost and fees are not up-front. Generally speaking, they will be spread out over the duration of time in the program.
Students are billed for tuition and fees by semester. The approximate cost per semester ranges between $800 and $1500. During fall and spring semesters, a student may elect to pay out their tuition on an installment plan (consult Financial Services Office). Installment plans for mini-terms and summer terms are not available. Financial aid or loans may be available. Consult Financial Aid Office http://www.tamuc.edu/financial-aid/ or the Loan Office http://www.tamuc.edu/fiscal/LoanOffice/. Tuition and fees are subject to change. Out‑of‑state tuition rates are considerably higher. Residency must be determined by the Registrar's Office.
Textbooks. The expense for textbooks cannot be pre-determined, but should be minimal.
Internship fee. For students beginning their internship, a fee of $1,500 will be assessed to students as an internship fee and may be paid out in equal monthly installments over the duration of your first year of teaching. This may equate to approximately $150 per month. The primary reason for the internship fee is to fund your support system throughout the internship year (i.e., public school mentor and university supervisor). Note: If all requirements are not met during the initial internship year and additional supervision is required, an additional $250 internship fee will be required for each semester you have not completed certification.
Additional expenditures. The intern will assume additional expenditures such as the cost of registration for THEA, TExES/ExCET, and certification costs.
THEA test-Paper/pencil..........$29
THEA Computer Administered Test..........$85
TExES/ExCET..........$120 per test
Probationary Certificate (during AC internship)..........$52
National Criminal History Background/Fingerprinting..........$47
Standard Certificate (after completion of AC)..........$77
Note: All “Additional expenditures” fees are paid directly to the administering agency and are subject to change.
DIFFERENCE/BENEFIT OF A&M-COMMERCE PROGRAM OVER OTHERS
There are two primary benefits of A&M-Commerce’s Alternative Certification Program over other non-university based alternative certification programs.
STANDARD TEACHING CERTIFICATE
Upon successful completion of all program courses/training, tests, and other requirements you will apply and then be recommended for your teaching certificate by Texas A&M University-Commerce. At this point, you may become a fully certified teacher. You may receive a Standard Teaching Certificate from the State Board for Educator Certification. The Standard Certificate authorizes you to teach in any public school district in the state, and is valid for a five‑year period. Texas teachers must meet specific professional development requirements to renew their certificates, which may be the accrual of 150 hours of professional development training over a five year period.
Requirements for certification:
1. Continued admission and retention in the Alternative Certification Program.
2. Successful completion of all program requirements, including all phases (pre-internship, internship, and post-internship), required GPAs, and appropriate tests (i.e., ExCET/TExES and TOPT). Information concerning the tests required for your certification field can be found at the following link:
teachcert.tamuc.edu/teacher/Misc/certs_texes.asp
3. A recommendation form is required. Your university supervisor will facilitate this process and obtain required information and signatures. This process should be completed during the last visit of your internship. Recommendation from your principal is required for certification.
GRADUATE CREDIT FOR DESIGNATED COURSES
Before registering for coursework, application must be made to Graduate School. Online application can be made at www.tamuc.edu/gradschool/. Status for application will be “certification”. If you decide to pursue an advanced degree, this status can be changed at a later date.
Designated courses in the program curriculum may be counted toward a master’s degree at Texas A&M University-Commerce or other universities/colleges. Applicants interested in pursing this option must gain full admission to the Graduate School and seek advisement from the graduate degree program of their choice. Each program has the authority to determine which courses will be counted toward a master’s degree.
Established Fall 2003 / updated Spring 2010