Alternative Teacher Certification Program
The Alternative Teacher Certification Program (ATCP) at Houston Community College (HCC) is a state-approved program that prepares individuals for Texas certification in elementary and secondary education. It is designed for those without formal teacher training or with degrees in other fields, such as biology or art.
Becoming a Certified Teacher in Texas
- Earn a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.
Students without a bachelor's degree: Meet with an academic advisor to discuss the Teacher Education, AAT. This transferrable program includes the required foundational courses for a bachelor’s degree. - Complete an approved Educator Preparation Program (EPP) like the HCC-ATCP!
- Complete 50 observation hours during the pre-service observation course.
- Complete a year-long internship as the teacher of record.
- Apply for state certification after EPP recommendation.
- Obtain the Texas Classroom Teacher Standard Certificate from the Texas Education Agency (TEA).
Certified educators: Previously certified teachers are not required to complete an Educator Preparation Program (EPP) to renew, teach in another state, or earn an additional certification. Review the Texas Education Agency's (TEA) Educator Testing webpage for exam registration and preparation.
Please review the following links for further steps:
Next Steps
Review the Alternative Teacher Certificate (ATCP) eligibility, prerequisite coursework, and certification areas.
- Students with an HCC ID# may email atcp@hccs.edu with the full name, student ID#, and unofficial transcripts for a quick review. The review process averages five to seven business days.
Admission Deadlines
- Spring Deadline - November 15
- Summer Deadline - April 15
- Fall Deadline - July 15
Please email atcp@hccs.edu or call 713.718.8149 for more information.
Program Timelines
- Students starting after August 2023 must complete the program within three years of their first ATCP class.
- Students who started before August 2023 must also complete the program within three years of their first ATCP class.
- Students in the program for 3+ years must be recommended for certification by January 31, 2025.
Special cases will be handled individually, with resolutions detailed in a student completer agreement.
Certification Renewal
Texas Standard Certificates must be renewed every five years by completing the required Continuing Professional Education (CPE) credits.
Program Costs and Course Schedule
Each course is $422, with nine classes totaling an estimated $3,798 to complete the ATCP requirements. This does not include application fees, state-required fees, and testing fees.
The mission of the Houston Community College Alternative Teacher Certification Program (ATCP) is to prepare aspiring educators with the skills, knowledge, and cultural responsiveness needed to deliver effective, student-centered instruction for 21st-century learners.
ATCP aims to transform K-12 education by developing highly qualified educators who use rigorous, data-driven, and best-practice teaching methods to meet the diverse needs of 21st-century students.
HCC's ATCP is designed to prepare individuals for teaching careers at the primary or secondary levels. Graduates who complete the program are recommended for the Standard Texas Educator Certificate.
Houston Community College's Alternative Teacher Certification Program (ATCP) is accredited by the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) and the Texas Education Agency (TEA).
SBEC: Responsible for public-school educators' preparation, certification, and professional conduct standards.
TEA: Oversees primary and secondary public education in Texas and provides staff support to SBEC.
Education Preparation Program (EPP) Accreditation: For ratings, pass rates, and performance reports, visit the Consumer Information page.
Teacher Supply and Demand: Access the TEA report on teacher demand in Texas.
Performance Reports: View HCC’s Performance Over Time Reports by navigating to the “Accountability System for Educator Preparation Annual Reports” section with the latest reporting years. Recent status reports are also available.
Additional Resources
Complaints
Please take a look at the Student Handbook for the complaint process.
If unresolved, complaints can be filed with TEA via the official TEA complaint process.
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