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.
Steps to Become a Certified Teacher in Texas:
- Education: Obtain a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.
- Training: Complete an approved Educator Preparation Program (EPP) like the HCC-ATCP.
- Transfer applicants must submit a one-page, double-spaced essay explaining their transfer request and a transfer request form upon acceptance.
- Pre-Service Observations: Complete 30 hours of observations, with up to 15 hours potentially fulfilled as a long-term substitute. Contact the program office for details.
- Certification Application: Apply for state certification after EPP recommendation, including a fingerprint-based background check.
- Standard Certificate: Obtain the Texas Classroom Teacher Standard Certificate from the Texas Education Agency (TEA).
Program Timelines:
- For students starting after August 2023: Must complete the program within three years of their first ATCP class.
- For students who started before August 2023: Must also complete the program within three years of their first ATCP class.
- For students in the program for 3+ years as of now: 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.
Next Steps
Students with at least a bachelor's degree:
- Complete the continuing education application.
- Email atp@hccs.edu the following documents:
- Resume and/or Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Unofficial transcripts
- Include the full name and student ID#.
- Interested certification areas.
- Allow 12 – 15 business days for program review and next steps.
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.
Certified Classroom Teachers:
- Out-of-State Certified Educators
- Out-of-Country Certified Educators
- Renewing a Standard Certificate
- Additional Certification by Exam
- Professional Development Hours
Houston Community College's Alternative Teacher Certification Program is accredited by the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) and the Texas Education Agency (TEA).
- SBEC: Responsible for the preparation, certification, and professional conduct standards of public-school educators.
- TEA: Oversees primary and secondary public education in Texas and provides staff support to SBEC.
Additional Resources:
- 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.
Complaints:
- Refer to the Student Handbook for the complaint process.
- If unresolved, complaints can be filed with TEA via the official TEA complaint process.
Mission
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.
Vision
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.
Overview
HCC's ATCP is an alternative certification program designed to prepare individuals for teaching careers at the primary or secondary levels. Graduates who successfully complete the program are recommended for the Standard Texas Educator Certificate.
Elementary
- Core Subjects (EC-6)
Middle School
- Core Subjects (4-8)
- English Language Arts & Reading/Social Studies (4-8)
- Mathematics (4-8)
- Science (4-8)
- Social Studies (4-8)
High School/Secondary Grade Levels
- Life Science (7-12)
- Mathematics (7-12)
- Physical Science (6-12)
- Science (7-12)
- English Language Arts & Reading (7-12)
All Levels
- Special Education (EC-12)
- Physical Education (EC-12)
Supplemental (Not stand-alone certificates) (Mandated for all students accepted into the program on/after March 2022: Candidates must choose one of the following supplemental areas to add to their core certification area.)
- Bilingual Education Supplemental-Spanish
- English as a Second Language (ESL) Supplemental
Additional Resources
Resources
- Texas Education Agency(TEA)/State Board for Educator Certification(SBEC)
- Texas Educator's Code of Ethics (Texas Administrative Code)
- TEKS (Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills)
- THECB (Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board)
- TExES (Texas Examinations of Educator Standards)
- TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)
If a student is not satisfied with the complaint process or outcome, the student may file a complaint against the program with the Texas Education Agency. The official Texas Education Agency complaint process can be found http://tea.texas.gov/About_TEA/Contact_Us/Complaints/
Program Cost
| Description | Due Date | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| ATCP Tuition | Same as HCC payment deadlines. |
**tuition assessed per class Contact program for more information |
| Books | Varies according to certification area | Cost not included in tuition |
| TEA Technology Fee | Upon enrollment - payable to Texas Education Agency | $55.00 |
Other fees associated with completing the requirements for Teacher Certification by TEA (such as exams, background checks, finger printing, etc.) are outside of Program costs or expenses and are managed by other organizations. HCC ATCP keeps an updated requirements list with current costs and provides this information to students. However, HCC cannot guarantee that costs have not been changed recently by other organizations.
Background Check / Program Eligibility
Accord to the Texas Education Code chapter 227.1 (b):
Educator preparation programs (EPPs) shall inform all applicants that:
(1) pursuant to the Texas Education Code (TEC), §22.083, candidates must undergo a criminal history background check prior to employment as an educator; and
(2) pursuant to the TEC, §22.0835, candidates must undergo a criminal history background check prior to clinical teaching.
Accord to the Texas Education Code chapter 227.1 (d):
EPPs shall notify, in writing by mail, personal delivery, facsimile, email, or an electronic notification, each applicant to and enrollee in the EPP of the following regardless of whether the applicant or enrollee has been convicted of an offense:
(1) the potential ineligibility of an individual who has been convicted of an offense for issuance of a certificate on completion of the EPP;
(2) the current State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) rules prescribed in §249.16 of this title (relating to Eligibility of Persons with Criminal History for a Certificate under Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 53, and Texas Education Code, Chapter 21); and
(3) the right to request a criminal history evaluation letter as provided in Chapter 227, Subchapter B, of this title (relating to Preliminary Evaluation of Certification Eligibility).
Texas Education Code 227
HCC Veteran Information
According to TAC 19 Section 228.35(1)(5)(A), each educator preparation program is required to develop and implement specific criteria and procedures that allow:
(a) Military service members or military veteran candidates to credit verified military service, training, or education toward the training, education, work experience or related requirements (other than certification examinations) for educator certification requirements, provided that the military service, training, or education is directly related to the certificate being sought.
Further information is available at VMASS Resource Centers on campus, on the website at www.hccs.edu/support-services/veteran-affairs, or by phone at 713-718-8522.
Admissions Deadlines
Fall 1st Start Aug. 24 - Admissions Deadline: August 9, 2024
Fall 2nd Start Oct. 15 - Admissions Deadline: October 4, 2024
Spring 2025 Start Date Jan.13, 2025 - Admissions Deadline: December 13, 2024
*Applications accepted after the deadline may experience delays in course enrollments.
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