Alternative Initial Certification Program
The Alternative Initial Certification Program is accredited through the Texas Education Agency (TEA) and complies with requirements set forth with that agency. Alternative Initial Certification is a program for those individuals with a Bachelor’s degree that are seeking Texas teacher certification. In order to be eligible for admission to this program, a candidate must:
- Have a baccalaureate degree earned from and conferred by an institution of higher education that is recognized by one of the regional accrediting agencies by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board;
- Candidates who possess a baccalaureate degree from outside the United States are required to submit along with their official transcripts an official translation of their degree from an accredited company that evaluates their credentials. Candidates also are required to take the TOEFL and receive the appropriate required scores set by The Texas Education Agency (TEA):
https://tea.texas.gov/texas-educators/certification/out-of-state-certifi...
- An overall grade point average of at least 2.75
- Satisfactory report of criminal background inquiry
Getting Started: Important Links / Documents:
- Apply to Sul Ross State University – www.applytexas.org as Non-Degree Teacher Certification.
- Apply for Deficiency Plan https://www.sulross.edu/page/1953/application-forms
- Begin coursework and completing requirements towards admission to the Teacher Education Program. Contact your advisor every semester for course advising.
- Apply to Teacher Education Program. https://www.sulross.edu/page/1953/application-forms
- Begin process of preparing for certification tests and passing content certification test before clinical teaching or internship.
- Complete Clinical Teaching (14 weeks – one semester). Clinical Teaching will be done upon completion of required coursework and successfully passing the content certification test
OR
- Complete one year (two long semesters) of an approved internship.