About The Program

Austin Community College's Teacher Certification Program offers certification in 20 months, including a paid internship as a first year teacher, at first year pay. Approved and accredited by the State Board for Education, the program began with the first cohort in 2004-2005. All applicants must have a bachelor's degree with coursework required by the state of Texas.

Approved, currently offered certifications include:

• Bilingual/Spanish for Generalist EC-6 and 4-8
• Math Composite (4-8)
• Science Composite (4-8)
• Math/Science Composite (4-8)
• Special Education (EC-6)
• Special Education Supplemental
• Bilingual Supplemental

Certifications available by District Request Only for:

• Science Composite ( 8-12)
• Math Composite (8-12)
• Generalist (EC-6 and 4-8)
• ESL (EC-6, 4-8)
• American Sign Language

Length

Program length is 20 months. Once accepted by September, participants observe and tutor for 16 hours in area classrooms, complete an online TExES Preparation Course, attend a December Orientation and Employment Seminar, begin EDTC 3000 in January, take the Summer Institute in June, take EDTC 3004 during the paid internship (August - November), and finish with EDTC 3005 as an online spring research class. Successful completion of coursework (with an 80 or higher) and internship in May results in Standard Certification at that time.

"My tutor helped me by refining my problem-solving skills." "The tutors really don't need any help because they are smart and they know things I don't know." TCP and AAT students are participating in tutoring programs at Bedichek Middle School, Crockett High School, Williams Elementary, and Garza High School. Stay tuned for updates.

Required Coursework & Exams

Classes meet at various times. See coursework requirements and calendar for specific attendance days and times.

New: You may take the PACT (Pre-admission Content Test) before being approved for the program. Contact ETS to take the exam, and send scores to our department. Please consider taking the October TExES preparation course so that you are ready for this unusual test that combines content and pedagogy of how to teach!

Registration for required exams through ETS requires approval from TC Staff once you are accepted into the program. You will take the appropriate level test ONLY. All students must pass the Content test before taking other exams. For bilingual certification, you will take 4 exams.

• Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities, EC-12       (160)
  Bilingual Education Supplemental,  all level       (164)
  Generalist EC-6       (191)
  Generalist 4-8           (111)
  
• Special Education EC-12 (161)
• Texas Oral Proficiency Test for Spanish (TOPT) ( 81) - coming: BTLPT (Bilingual Target language Proficiency Test in Spanish) replaces the TOPT (190)

Fees

Fees for the Teacher Certification program must be paid by deadlines. Exceptions are for EDTC 3000, one course that can be paid out on an ACC Tuition Installment Payment Plan. Extra fees will be due for exams, textbooks, personal website, fingerprinting, and certification fees @ $800. If you intern out of the ACC district, you will be expected to pay an additional $250 for supervision expenses. A $25 late fee will be assessed if fees and tuition are not paid by the end of the month that they are due.

Fees paid directly to others:

         $ 15 - Parking permit (ACC Continuing Education)                    

         $235 - Textbooks and webpage account during program

         $565 - Exams (ETS) & Certification fees (probationary & Standard)

Financial Aid: The College Access Loan is now available for Alternative Teacher Certification students. For more information, contact (512) 223-7649 or tchrcert@austincc.edu.

Updated 9/15/09