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Alternative Certification Programs
The Department of Urban Education offers college graduates two ways to become highly-qualified certified teachers in the state of Texas. University coursework is a key component in both programs.
Alternative Certification Program (ACP)
Applications are due on July 15 for fall admission and November 15 for spring admission.
Master of Arts in Teaching with Certification (ACP/MAT)
Applications are due on July 15 for fall admission and November 15 for spring admission.
Alternative Certification Program
Our program is composed of three phases: pre-internship candidacy, securing employment, and a one-year internship in a public school. The pre-internship candidacy includes university coursework which requires six hours per week of field work in schools. Participants in the program secure their own teaching job for their internship. During the internship year, the intern is a teacher of record, takes a minimum of one university course, attends university seminars, and prepares and takes the appropriate TExES exams.
Certification Areas included in the Alternative Certification Program:
- EC-6 Elementary Generalist
- EC-6 Bilingual Generalist*
- 4-8 Generalist*
- 8-12 Secondary* -Areas of Specialization:
- Computer Science
- English/Language Arts/Reading
- History
- Life Sciences
- Mathematics
- Physical Sciences
- Science Composite
- Social Studies Composite
*Subject to changes from the Texas State Legislature, the Texas State Board of Educator Certification (SBEC), and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB). In secondary composite exams, specific content areas are highly recommended.
Admission Requirements
- Bachelor's degree or higher from a recognized university or college with
- 2.5 GPA or higher in the last 60 hours of college level coursework
- 24 hours in area of specialization for Secondary Certification
- 2.5 GPA in area of specialization
- For Secondary Certification
- THEA scores or exemption approval. Score requirements:
- Math 230
- Reading 230
- Writing 220
- 2.5 GPA or higher in the last 60 hours of college level coursework
- Submit ACP Application to College of Public Service Advising Office, C.420 by July 15 for fall admission and November 1 for spring admission.
- Submit a receipt from the UHD Cashier for the ACP Application Processing Fee ($50).
- Submit official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended . These transcripts must be in a sealed and stamped university envelope.
- Submit three (3) ACP Reference Forms.
- Admission to the University of Houston-Downtown (see catalog for fees)
Pre-Internship Candidacy
- Applicant is admitted to the program.
- Candidate successfully completes required coursework which includes 6 hours per week of field work in schools before starting his/her internship.
- Candidate passes the appropriate TExES content exam.
- Candidate is responsible for the fees associated with university coursework, tuition, books, and certification exams.
- Candidate receives a Letter of Approval to secure employment with a school district.
Securing Employment
- Candidate obtains a contract or "Letter of Intent to Hire" from a public school district.
- Candidate signs a letter of agreement with University of Houston-Downtown to deduct $3,000 from his/her salary during the school year.
- Candidate applies online for a one-year initial probationary teaching certificate.
- Candidate completes required paperwork for UHD, Urban Education Department.
- UHD, Department of Urban Education, recommends candidate for probationary teaching certificate.
Internship
- Interns serve their internship for one school year. An intern is given a one-year probationary certificate by the State Board for Educator Certification. An intern is considered a "teacher of record" with all the rights, privileges and responsibilities of any other first year teacher in Texas [Texas Education Code 13.306(2) and 13.037(a)].
- During the one-year internship, each candidate has the support of a mentor teacher on his/her campus and a university supervisor.
- During the one-year internship, candidates must:
- complete the required coursework
- pay fees for all university coursework, tuition, books
- pay fees for all required exams
- attend monthly seminars/activities pass the appropriate TExES PPR exam
- meet full appraisal requirements of the state and the local school district
- be recommended for certification by the school principal, school mentor, UHD supervisor and UHD ACP Director
Recommendation for Standard Certification
- Intern satisfactorily completes all ACP requirements, has a GPA of 2.5, and is in good standing with the university.
- Intern satisfactorily completes all requirements for certification.
Forms
- ACP-Fall Start Flowchart
- ACP-Spring Start Flowchart
- ACP Application
- ACP Application Checklist
- ACP Reference Form
Helpful Links
Master of Arts in Teaching with Certification (ACP/MAT)
The ACP/MAT program is composed of four phases: pre-internship candidacy, securing employment, a one-year internship in a public school, and additional graduate coursework. The pre-internship candidacy includes university coursework which requires six hours per week of field work in schools. Participants in the program secure their own teaching job for their internship. During the internship year, the intern is a teacher of record, takes a minimum of one university course, attends university seminars, and prepares and takes the appropriate TExES exams.
Certification Areas included in the Master of Arts in Teaching with Certification (ACP / MAT):
- EC-6 Elementary Generalist
- 4-8 Generalist
- 8-12 Secondary* -Areas of Specialization:
- Computer Science
- English/Language Arts/Reading
- History
- Life Sciences
- Mathematics
- Physical Sciences
- Science Composite
- Social Studies Composite
Admission Requirements
- Bachelor's degree or higher from a recognized university or college with
- 2.5 GPA or higher in the last 60 hours of college level coursework
- For Secondary Certification
- 24 hours in area of specialization for Secondary Certification
- 2.5 GPA in area of specialization
- Submit Graduate Admissions Application (www.applytexas.org)
- The application requires a personal statement. Your personal statement should address how you believe your educational and professional background will contribute to your success in the program. The essay should be no longer than 500 words.
- Pay $35 Graduate Application Processing Fee
- Submit official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. These transcripts must be in a sealed and stamped university envelope.
- Submit TOEFL scores (Test of English Language as a Foreign Language) scores if you are a graduate of a university in which English is not the native language.
- Submit GRE scores (Verbal, Quantitative, and Analytical Writing)
- Submit three (3) MAT Recommedation Forms
- All required documents should be submitted to Graduate Admissions, University of Houston-Downtown, One Main Street, Suite 325-N, Houston, TX 77002-1001.
Pre-Internship Candidacy
- Applicant is admitted to the program.
- Candidate successfully completes required coursework which includes 6 hours per week of field work in schools before starting his/her internship.
- Candidate passes the appropriate TExES content exam.
- Candidate is responsible for the fees associated with university coursework, tuition, books, and certification exams.
- Candidate receives a Letter of Approval to secure employment with a school district.
Securing Employment
- Candidate obtains a contract or "Letter of Intent to Hire" from a public school district.
- Candidate signs a letter of agreement with University of Houston-Downtown to deduct $3,000 from his/her salary during the school year.
- Candidate applies online for a one-year initial probationary teaching certificate.
- Candidate completes required paperwork for UHD, Urban Education Department.
- UHD, Urban Education Department, recommends candidate for probationary teaching certificate.
Internship
- Interns serve their internship for one school year. An intern is given a one-year probationary certificate by the State Board for Educator Certification. An intern is considered a "teacher of record" with all the rights, privileges and responsibilities of any other first year teacher in Texas [Texas Education Code 13.306(2) and 13.037(a)].
- During the one-year internship, each candidate has the support of a mentor teacher on his/her campus and a university supervisor.
- During
the one-year internship, candidates must:
- complete the required coursework
- pay fees for all university coursework, tuition, books
- pay fees for all required exams
- attend monthly seminars/activities
- pass the appropriate TExES PPR exam
- meet full appraisal requirements of the state and the local school district
- be recommended for certification by the school principal, school mentor, UHD supervisor and UHD ACP Director.
- Upon successful completion of all requirements for certification, the intern will be recommended for certification.
Additional Graduate Coursework
Intern continues with graduate coursework meeting all requirements for participating in the program as outlined in the Graduate Handbook and university policies.
Supplemental Files
- ACP/MAT Application Checklist
- ACP/MAT EC-6 Elementary Generalist Fall 2010 Start Flowchart
- ACP/MAT EC-6 Elementary Generalist Spring 2011 Start Flowchart
- ACP/MAT EC-6 Elementary Generalist Fall 2011 Start Flowchart
- ACP/MAT 4-8 Generalist Fall 2010 Start Flowchart
- ACP/MAT 4-8 Generalist Spring 2011 Start Flowchart
- ACP/MAT 4-8 Generalist Fall 2011 Start Flowchart
- ACP/MAT 8-12 Secondary Fall 2010 Start Flowchart
- ACP/MAT 8-12 Secondary Spring 2011 Start Flowchart
- ACP/MAT 8-12 Secondary Fall 2011 Start Flowchart
Helpful Links
Note: Program Changes
The Department of Urban Education (DUE) Teacher Education and Certification programs are governed by regulations from the Texas State Legislature, the Texas State Board of Educator Certification (SBEC), the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB), and the University of Houston-Downtown (UHD). Any new rulings or changes made by any of these entities in interpreting the rulings on educator certification may supersede the requirements of a student’s existing certification plan, degree plan, or post-bac certification plan.
For additional information contact
| Mary Ann Denner Senior Graduate Advisor College of Public Service University of Houston-Downtown Phone: 713.221.8074 Fax: 713.226.5234 |
Ronald S. Beebe, Ph.D. Assistant Professor Master of Arts in Teaching Program Coordinator Alternative Certification Program Coordinator Department of Urban Education University of Houston-Downtown Phone: 713.221.8689 Fax: 713.226.5294 |
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Last updated or reviewed on 12/8/11
