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TITLE

University of Texas at Brownsville, Alternative Certification Program (ACP)

WEBSITE

ntmain.utb/edu/acp/

APPLICATION DEADLINE

Open Enrollment.

CONTACT

Mr. Chuey Abrego, Director ACP
University of Texas at Brownsville/Texas Southmost College
80 Fort Brown
Brownsville, TX 78521
e-mail: acp@utb.edu
Phone (956) 982-0254
FAX (956) 982-0293

The Alternative Certification Program (ACP) at the University of Texas at Brownsville/Texas Southmost College (UTB/TSC) is part of the professional teacher education program in the School of Education.  In partnership with area school districts, the mission of ACP is to prepare the best educators for the elementary, middle, and high school grades.  UTB/TSC is ExCET accredited by the State Board for Educator Certification.

CERTIFICATION AREAS

EC-4: Bilingual Generalist, Elementary Generalist, ESL 4-8: English/Language Arts/Reading, Math, Science 8-12: English/Language Arts/Reading, History, Math, Science EC-12: PE (Kinesiology), Special Education

Individuals who have earned a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a minimum 2.5 academic GPA may qualify for certification

in one of the following fields offered through ACP in the School of Education:

  • EARLY CHILDHOOD - 4th Grade
    • Early Childhood - 4th Grade, Bilingual Generalist (requires proficiency in English/Spanish, CLEP or credit by examination scores if no upper division courses in Spanish)
    • Early Childhood - 4th Grade, Generalist
    • These certification programs require a minimum 2.5 academic GPA in 24 semester credit hours in combination of subjects: English, social studies, math, science.  The candidate must also complete the required pedagogy courses: 24 semester credit hours of course work plus 12 semester credit hours of a two semester internship as a salaried teacher.

 

  • MIDDLE GRADES 4th - 8th
    • Mathematics
    • This certification program requires a minimum 2.5 academic GPA in 32-33 semester credit hours including at least 18 advanced in the relevant content area.  Applicant must have 33 semester credit hours in math in addition to completing the required pedagogy courses: 24 semester credit hours of course work plus 12 semester credit hours of a two semester internship as a salaried teacher
    • Life Science
    • This certification program requires a minimum of 2.5 academic GPA in 40 semester credit hours including 24 advanced in combination of Biology, Chemistry and General Physics. Requires 20 semester credit hours of advanced biology, 8 semester credit hours of general physics, 8 semester credit hours of chemistry and 4 semester credit hours of advanced chemistry. In addition students will need to complete the required pedagogy courses: 24 semester credit hours of coursework plus 12 semester credit hours of a two semester internship as a salaried teacher.
    • English Language Arts
    • This certification program requires a minimum 2.5 academic GPA in 32-33 semester credit hours including at least 24 advanced in the relevant content area.  Details about these requirements are available from the ACP Office.  Applicant must have 33 semester credit hours in English in addition to completing the required pedagogy courses: 24 semester credit hours of course work plus 12 semester credit hours of a two semester interns hip as a salaried teacher.

 

  • SECONDARY 8th - 12th GRADE
  • Mathematics, History
  • These certification programs require a minimum 2.5 academic GPA in 32-33 semester credit hours including at least 18 advanced in the relevant content area.  For example if math is selected, applicant must have 33 semester credit hours in math in addition to completing the required pedagogy courses: 24 semester credit hours of course work plus 12 semester credit hours of a two semester internship as a salaried teacher.
  • Science
  • This certification program requires a minimum of 2.5 academic GPA in 40 semester credit hours including 24 advanced in combination of Biology, Chemistry and General Physics.  Requires 20 semester credit hours of advanced biology, 8 semester credit hours of general physics, 8 semester credit hours of chemistry and 4 semester credit hours of advanced chemistry.  In addition students will need to complete the required pedagogy courses: 24 semester credit hours of coursework plus 12 semester credit hours of a two semester internship as a salaried teacher.
  • English Language Arts
  • This certification program requires a minimum 2.5 academic GPA in 32-33 semester credit hours including at least 24 advanced in the relevant content area.  Details about these requirements are available from the ACP Office.  Applicant must have 33 semester credit hours in English in addition to completing the required pedagogy courses: 24 semester credit hours of course work plus 12 semester credit hours of a two semester internship as a salaried teacher.

 

Program Prerequisites:

  • Baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution; certification field prerequisites as explained above;
  • 2.5 cumulative GPA;
  • Texas Academic Skills Program (TASP) requirement ---
  • Scores: Reading 260, Writing 220, Math 230 OR
  • Minimum 2.67 GPA in last 60 semester credit hours OR
  • Meet university requirements for unconditional or non-degree admission into the graduate school.
  • Evaluation fee of $50 payable at Cashier’s Office in Tandy Building;
  • Application for admission to UTB/TSC if not a former student (Tandy Building Admission’s Office).

If International Student:

  • Letter of bachelor’s degree equivalency if foreign student (Tandy Building Admission’s Office);
  • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score: 213 on computerized version or 550 written exam
  • Evaluation of transfer credits
  • Interview and written sample
  • Students who may qualify for the program will be called for an interview and to give a sample of their writing.  If choosing certification in EC-4 Bilingual Generalist, applicants will also have to give a sample of their writing in Spanish.  The essay will be written immediately after the interview.
  • There is a $50 fee for the interview payable at the Cashier’s Office in the Tandy Building.  Applications and instructions are available at the receptionist’s desk in the School of Education building.

Admission to ACP:

The academic advisors will review all complete applications and arrive at an admission decision.  Incomplete applications will not be accepted.  Students who have not been interviewed or who have not given the writing sample will not be considered for admission.

Students admitted to ACP must complete all program requirements including 24 semester credit hours in pedagogy and two internship courses as a salaried teacher.  The courses must be completed in the sequence listed in the relevant program of study (POS).

Enrollment in ACP:

Phase I

  • Students admitted to ACP will be cleared for registration for the appropriate courses given the certification field chosen.  At least two courses must be completed each semester: summer session I, summer session II, fall and spring.  All courses must be taken in sequence.
  • Students must complete the required 4 courses with a B or better prior to enrollment for the internship in the summer semester.
  • During the summer, students should begin the application process for teaching positions with area school districts.  A copy of the contract is required to be eligible for the Probationary Certificate to teach as an intern.

Eligibility for Internship and Probationary Certification:

Phase II:

  • Clearance for Phase II requires the following materials:
    • An application for Request for Letter of Eligibility;
    • Updated transcript to verify completion of Phase I courses;
    • Verification of good academic standing;
    • Statement of Eligibility; completed, transmitted to employing school district by intern and returned by the employing school district to the ACP Office;
    • Copy of employment contract;
    • State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) Application for Probationary Certification;
    • Money order for $50 payable to SBEC and signed by purchaser;
    • Signed Internship Agreement.
  • Upon verification of the above, students will be cleared for enrollment in Phase II courses including the internship course.
  • Interns will be assigned a mentor by the school district.
  • ACP will assign an internship supervisor.
  • The internship fee of $2000 will be deducted by the school district to cover the mentor and internship fees.
  • Some ACP students in Phase II may qualify for the Teach for Texas Grant.  Information is available in the Financial Aid office in the Tandy building.  Applications are usually available during the early summer with a September 1st deadline.
  • Interns are responsible for meeting all the conditions of the Program of Study, the signed Internship Agreement, requirements of the internship courses, and all policies/guidelines of the employing school district and school.
  • Completion of Phase II:
  • Completion of requirements for certification requires:
  • Passing internship courses;
  • Completion of all required courses with 3.0 GPA;
  • Passing required ExCET exams (Barcodes will be issued upon completion of ExCET benchmarks)
  • Request Application for Letter of Completion;
  • Verification of completion of internship and mentor assignment by employing school district as required by SBEC;
  • Updated transcript;
  • State Board for Educator Certification Application for Standard Certification
  • $75 money order payable to SBEC and signed by purchaser;
  • In good standing with school district and UTB/TSC.< /li>
  • Attendance ACP workshop, sessions, seminars

Students who do not complete requirements as listed above may not qualify for the Probationary Certificate and may be dropped from the program.

Certification:

During the internship year, the intern applies and is issued a Probationary Certificate for the relevant field by the State Board for Educator Certification.  If all program completion requirements are not met, the candidate may apply for an extension to the Probationary Certificate.

A certificate earned through ACP is a valid license to teach at the stipulated level and field.  Reciprocity in teacher certification exists with most states.  An individual who does not meet admission to ACP or cannot meet the application deadlines and has a opportunity to teach may apply for a Deficiency Plan to teach under an Emergency Teacher Permit.  Inquiries may be directed to the receptionist in the Education Building, by calling (956) 982-0250 or by visiting the School of Education home page on the utb.edu Web site.

International Credential Evaluators:

A complete list of agencies in the US certified to evaluate foreign transcripts is available in the Admission’s Office in the Tandy Building.  The University does not recommend nor endorse any particular agency.  However, for the applicant’s convenience the following are addresses for agencies in Texas: Foreign Credentials Service of America, 1710 Richcreek Road, Austin, TX 78757 (no telephone given); Global Credential Evaluators, P.O. Box 9203, College Station, TX 77842-9203, (409) 690-8912; International Academic Credential Evaluators, Inc., P.O. Box 2585, Denton, TX 76202-2585, (817) 383-7498; SpanTran Services, Educational Consultants, 7211 Regency Square Blvd., Suite 201, Houston, TX 77036, (713) 266-8805; Worldwide Education Consultant Service, 5521 N. Expressway 77, Brownsville, TX 78520, (956) 350-4660, e-mail: argonzalez43@yahoo.com.