Alternative Teacher Certification Program

Frequently Asked Questions

1.) What is the Alternative Teacher Certification Program?

• The ATCP is an alternative to the traditional university certification programs. The ATCP is designed to meet the needs of individuals interested in non-traditional routes to teaching and to help address the teacher shortage in our state. The ACCD alternative certification programs have been approved by the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC), and meet the No Child Left Behind  (NCLB) requirements.

2.) What are the minimum criteria to apply?

• A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university
• At least a 2.5 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale.
• The desire to be involved in an accelerated program.
• Passing scores on the THEA (Texas Higher Education Assessment).

3.) How do I apply for the ATCP?

• Students may download the application from the SPC CE main website or contact our main office to request more information.
• Individuals interested in attending St. Philip’s College may also call any of our team members.
• Complete applications must be submitted by the assigned deadline. At a minimum, the following documents must be submitted: a completed application form with 2 essays; completed reference forms; completed Acknowledgement Form; official college transcripts from ALL institutions attended; a transcript evaluation if the transcript is from a foreign university; non-refundable application fee of $50.00
• INCOMPLETE APPLICATION PACKETS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED!

4.) What programs are available?

• Generalist 4-8
• ESL/Generalist 4-8
• Social Studies 4-8
• Social Studies 8-12
• Career and Technology Education 6-12

5.) What if I received a degree from a foreign country?

• All foreign transcripts must be submitted with one (1) official translation and course-by-course evaluation from an approved credential evaluation service. For a list of Foreign Credential Evaluation Services, please visit the following SBEC web site

6.) What are the requirements for becoming a teacher in Texas through the ACCD?

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university
• Be accepted to a program and meet the College's additional program requirements by certification area
• Satisfy the 1-year internship strand
• Pass the State teacher certification test in the Content area and PPR

7.) Will I earn college credit for the program?

• No. Candidates may receive Continuing Education Units (CEU’s) and a teacher certificate. Under the current program, CEU’s are awarded once the internship strand and the two section academic strand is completed. The academic strand consists of the Content and Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities (PPR) sections. Those eligible to take and pass the Texas Examination of Educator Standards (TExES), examinations will be recommended for the teaching certificate.

8.) When does the program begin?

• St. Philip’s College begins a program throughout the year. Once an applicant selects a certification area, the schedules may be discussed. Every attempt is made by the St. Philip’s College to parallel the training with the public school year. This track facilitates the internship period and allows for job seeking opportunities beginning in April through September.

9.) Where will the program take place?

• Classes are held at the main campus of St. Philip’s College. Classes are held in the evenings to fit the participants' work schedule and to meet the required contact hours.

10.) How long will it take to earn certification in this program?

• The program has two strands, the Content (academics) and the Internship (teacher-of-record) strand.
• If both strands are satisfied concurrently, the program may be completed in 1 year.
• If the strands are satisfied consecutively, the Content strand must be satisfied first, and the internship strand may be satisfied the following year for a two-yea program.

11.) What is the Content and PPR curriculum?

• St. Philip’s College has developed an accelerated standards-based-curriculum correlated to the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) and the Texas Examination for Educator Standards (TExES) framework. To learn more about the TEKS, visit www.tea.state.tx.us/teks To learn more about the TExES frameworks, visit www.texes.nesinc.com

12.) What is an internship?

• An Internship is a teaching status whereby one is employed as the teacher-of-record under a probationary certificate in a Texas Education Agency (TEA) accredited school at the appropriate level and subject in which he or she is seeking certification. The Internship strand is composed of the Texas Beginning Educator Support System (TxBESS) and the TxBESS Framework.  Internships are 1 school year in length and coincide with dates and terms of Probationary Certificates issued by the State Board for Educator Certification.  Students must first be classified as a “Highly Qualified” applicant to be eligible for an internship.

13.) What is "Highly Qualified"?

• “Highly Qualified” applicants are determined during the application procedure. Applicants must have demonstrated subject matter competency by having successfully completed an academic major, a graduate degree, or course work equivalent to an undergraduate academic major in the core academic subject he or she will be teaching. Subject-matter competency can also be demonstrated by passing the appropriate TExES exam. Applicants who are deemed “Highly Qualified” are in compliance with the No Child Left Behind Act and are eligible for to apply for an internship.

14.) What if I am not a "Highly Qualified" applicant?

• Applicants that are not deemed “Highly Qualified,” can be accepted into the program on a “Conditional Basis.”  “Conditional Basis” students will not be allowed to apply for an internship until they demonstrate subject matter competency in the area they will be teaching.  This can be done by passing their designated TExES content exam.  Students will be eligible to take the state exam when they pass their Content course and a Post-Test.

15.) How do I apply for an internship?

• “Highly Qualified” applicants are encouraged to apply for an internship as soon as the acceptance letter is received. Internship means that someone is deemed qualified and eligible to apply with school districts. The 1-year internship requirement is satisfied when a candidate is the teacher-of-record in the grade range and in the certification area enrolled. Additionally, the internship school must be on the Texas Education Agency’s (TEA) approved school list. Additional information and assistance is provided the staff at St. Philip’s College.

16.) Is there placement for the internship strand?

• At the present time, St. Philip’s College does not provide internship placements. However, as teaching positions become known, information is made available to all candidates in the program.

17.) How can I find a list of Texas education Agency (TEA) accredited schools?

• A list of TEA accredited schools can be found at http://askted.tea.state.tx.us

18.) Do I get paid during the internship?

• First year teacher salaries vary from school district to school district. Interns may be hired, paid as first year teachers, and are considered the teacher-of-record in the classroom.

19.) What if I am offered an internship with extra-curricular duties?

• Due to the intensive academic presentation and accelerated nature of the program, candidates are discouraged from considering additional duties such as coaching, or other similar activities during the internship period. Absences caused by these activities will not be excused absences. All courses comply with the college attendance policy.

20.) What if I do not get an internship?

• The internship requirement must be satisfied for full certification. The internship may be satisfied concurrent with the academic year or the following year.  A probationary teacher certificate will be requested at the time the internship begins and is valid for one year. Once the internship is satisfied, the State of Texas Teacher Certification may be requested.

21.) Who are the program instructors?

• The instructors are highly qualified and experienced practitioners in their Content fields. The instructors are teachers, counselors, curriculum and instructional specialists, and school principals from the area school districts.

22.) How much does the program cost?

• The total tuition ranges from $4,500-$5,000, depending on certification area selection. Generally, program costs include lab fees, handouts, publications, study materials, and the mentoring strand. Once the program selection is made, tuition, registration procedures, and other program specifics shall be provided.
• Please see the ATCP Costs and Tuition page for additional details.

23.) Is there any financial assistance for this program?

• Financial assistance may be available for ATCP participants. Please visit the Financial Resources page for additional details.

24.) What is the refund policy?

• Request for refunds will be made in person at Records and Registration, Sutton Learning Center, Room 100. Continuing Education adheres to Alamo Community College District policy on all refund requests. NO EXCEPTIONS WILL BE MADE. Refund requests require approximately 30 days to process.

25.) When will I know if I am accepted?

• Applicants will be notified shortly after the application is turned in and an interview session has been completed. If accepted to the program, individuals will be issued an acceptance letter. Supporting documentation regarding the internship status and deadlines for registration and payment will also be included in this packet.

26.) Will content remediation be offered in this program?

• No. Our curriculum and timeline for the Alternative Certification route to teaching is accelerated and an alternative to the traditional university programs and semester timelines.  Remediation will not be a part of this program or our curriculum.

27.) Additional information

• All candidates must have a desire to develop the ability to understand a diverse student culture within a myriad of developmental stages. Candidates should be able to organize and manage small and large groups, keep accurate records, solve problems, adapt to a variety of settings and demonstrate a commitment to continuous professional growth and life-long learning.
• The Alamo Community Colleges is an EOE. For special accommodations issues or alternate format, contact the Title IX coordinator, 210/208-8051. Thank you for your interest in the Alamo Community College's Alternative Teacher Certification Programs.