Alternative Teacher Certification Program
The Alternative Teacher Certification Program (ATCP) at Houston Community College is a state-approved comprehensive educator preparation program (or EPP) that trains individuals for Texas standard certification in elementary and secondary education.
An EPP provides the training necessary for individuals without experience in a college-level teacher training program or with a major in another field, such as biology or art, to obtain the skills and knowledge necessary to be a classroom teacher.
The following items are needed to become a certified classroom teacher in Texas:
- Obtain or possess a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university
- Complete an approved Educator Preparation Program (EPP)
- Transfer applicants must complete a one-page, double-spaced substantive essay outlining their request for transfer in the the HCC-ATCP program. The application will not be considered complete if the essay is not one-page and double-spaced, no more, no less. If accepted, the applicant must submit a transfer request form.
- Complete 30 clock-hours of pre-service observations. Up to 15 clock-hours of pre-service observations may be satisfied by serving as a long-term substitute. Please contact program office for further details.
- Apply for state certification upon the EPP’s recommendation (Fingerprinting is required as part of a criminal background check)
- Obtain a Texas Classroom Teacher Standard Certificate awarded through TEA
- Students who entered the program from August 2023 forward, will be afforded 3 years to complete the program. This date is calculated based on the end date of their first ATCP class.
- Students who entered the program prior to August 2023 will have 3 years to complete the program. This date is calculated based on the end date of their first ATCP class.
- If a student has already been in the program for 3 years or greater, that student will have until January 31st, 2025, to be recommended for standard certification.
- Any situations that fall outside of that which is enumerated herein will be discussed with the student on a case-by-case basis and resolutions will be outlined on a student completer agreement.
Once certified, Texas Standard Certificates are renewable every five years, provided you have completed required continuing professional education (CPE) credits.
Don’t have a Bachelor’s degree? See Teacher Education for Associate of Arts in Teaching.
Have a Bachelor’s degree? Apply directly to the Alternative Teacher Certification Program.
Already a Certified Classroom Teacher? See Out-of-State Certified Educators, Out-of-Country Certified Educators, Renewing a Standard Certificate, Additional Certification by Exam, or Professional Development Hours.
Houston Community College — Alternative Teacher Certification Program is accredited by the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) and the Texas Education Agency (TEA).
The State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) oversees all aspects of the preparation and certification as well as standards of conduct of public school educators. The Texas Education Agency is the state agency that oversees primary and secondary public education. TEA provides staff support to the SBEC board.
For additional information regarding EPP accreditation ratings, pass rates, and annual performance reports, please visit Consumer Information.
For information on Supply and Demand for teachers in Texas, please read the following report from the Texas Education Agency.
To view HCC’s Performance Over Time Reports, please click this link and scroll down the page until you see “Accountability System for Educator Preparation Annual Reports” with the latest reporting years. Please also see our recent status reports.
To file a complaint, refer to the Student Handbook for the complaints process. If the 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 at tea.texas.gov at the bottom of the page.
Mission
The mission of the Houston Community College Alternative Teacher Certification Program (ATCP) is to provide aspiring educators with a quality education that equips program participants with the skills, competencies, knowledge, and cultural responsiveness necessary to provide effective student-centered classroom instruction to the twenty-first-century learner.
Vision
ATCP will transform K-12 Education by training, coaching, and mentoring highly qualified, effective classroom teachers to provide rigorous, data-driven, best practice instruction that will accommodate the needs of the twenty-first-century learner.
HCC's ATCP is considered an alternative certification program. It is designed primarily to prepare students for employment as an educator at the primary or secondary level. Upon successful completion, candidates receive a recommendation for their 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
Even though you think you might not qualify, applying for financial aid and/or scholarships may help determine what resources are available to assist you with your educational goals.
Please see the Continuing Education Financial Aid Website for any available scholarships or grants approved for the Alternative Teacher Certification Program.
Individuals may qualify for the following:
- HCC Foundation Workforce Scholarship
- Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA)
- Applicants must be seeking Mathematics, Science, Special Education, or Bilingual Certification for WIOA funds. An Individual Referral/Cost Obligation Form will only be issued to students that have been admitted into the program. It is recommended students apply to Workforce Solutions' scholarship at least 30-45 days prior to the term start date but earlier if possible.
- The Alternative Teacher Certification Program now receives the following eligible VA Benefits:
- Chapter 33 (Post 9/11 GI Bill)
- Chapter 30 (Active Duty)
- Chapter 1606 (ARNG & Reserve)
- Chapter 1607 (REAP)
- Chapter 35 (Dependents)
For more information contact 713.718.8522 | vmassonline@hccs.edu
The Alternative Teacher Certification Program (ATCP) at HCC is a state-approved comprehensive educator preparation program (EPP) that trains individuals for Texas standard certification in elementary and secondary education.
Online resources
New Student Orientation Virtual Information SessionAdditional 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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