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Texas Alternative Teacher Certification Process and Programs

Texas alternative certification programs (ACPs), also known as non-traditional programs, are designed for those who have a bachelor’s degree outside of education and typically lead to a certificate or master’s degree. These programs can streamline a career change to classroom teaching or administration. If you do not yet have a bachelor’s degree, visit our guide to traditional teacher certification in Texas. If you already have a bachelor’s degree, continue reading to learn more about alternative route pathways in Texas.

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Requirements for Alternative Certification

In order to qualify for non-traditional teacher certification in Texas, candidates need to possess a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education. The college or university from which a candidate earned the bachelor’s degree must hold accreditation recognized by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. For more information, refer to the agency’s List of Recognized Accreditors. Alternative certification programs can commonly be completed in one year as a post-baccalaureate certificate. Teaching candidates also have the option of pursuing a master’s degree in education or in a specific subject as part of an approved certification program.

Types of Alternative Teaching Licenses in Texas

Texas alternative certification programs, or ACPs, are developed by colleges and universities in accordance with guidelines set by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) and designed for those who have a bachelor’s degree in a subject other than education. As a result, these teacher training programs follow the same general standards as traditional teacher preparation programs. Alternative programs require pre-service training, a certain amount of coursework you must complete prior to teaching in a classroom. According to the TEA, many approved alternative teacher certification programs in Texas can be completed in one year, including internship or experience hours. The teaching assignment completed must be at the grade level and in the content area of the teaching certificate for which the candidate intends to apply. Further information on these alternative routes is provided below, and you can access more detailed guidelines through the Texas Education Agency.

Probationary Certificate for Texas ACPs

A Probationary Certificate must be granted in order for an individual pursuing Texas alternative certification to complete the required teaching assignment for Texas teacher certification under an ACP program. A Probationary Certificate is valid for one year. Candidates must apply online to receive a Probationary Certificate, and must have an electronically submitted recommendation for the appropriate certificate on file from the program which the candidate is completing.

Career and Technical Education Teacher Certification

Prospective career and technical education teachers must follow the same guidelines as other teachers pursuing alternative certification in the state. Candidates may obtain a probationary certificate and teach for one year while completing the required ACP for full licensure.

Testing Requirements for Texas Alternative Certification

To receive alternative Texas teacher certification, candidates must pass the same exams as those who follow the traditional teacher preparation track. This includes content area exam(s), the Texas Examinations of Educator Standards (TExES) and, if applicable, the Texas Examinations for Master Teachers (TExMaT). For more information on the exams that may be required for your intended subject area(s) and grade level, refer to the TEA Department of Educator Testing.

Transferring Teaching Licenses From Another State

Those who have already earned a teaching certificate in another state may qualify for reciprocity. Texas recognizes some (but not all) certificates from other states. However, out-of-state teachers are required to take the same assessments and meet the same general requirements as Texas-certified educators. The TEA determines whether out-of-state teachers are eligible for a reciprocal license. Out-of-state teachers can request that their individual cases be reviewed to see if they qualify for reciprocity. Review our teaching certificate reciprocity resource for further information.


Schools With Alternative and Master’s Programs in Texas

To qualify for teacher certification, you must complete an approved teacher preparation program. Alternative route teacher licensing programs typically lead to a certificate or master’s. The not-for-profit, school-based alternative certification programs below have been approved by the TEA for the preparation of teachers.

State-Approved SchoolAccreditationProgram Type(s)Alt. Teacher Program Enrollment4Alt. Teacher Prep Prog. Completers4Alt. Licensing Exams Pass Rate4Net Price5
Abilene Christian UniversityAAQEPMaster’s$28,725
Alamo Colleges*Alternative$5,832
Angelo State UniversityAlternative, Certificate, Master’s5812N.Av.$12,420
Austin CollegeMaster’s$24,085
Austin Community College*Alternative, Certificate$3,502
Baylor UniversityMaster’s$40,133
Dallas Baptist University*AAQEP, CAEPAlternative, Certificate, Master’s391593%$26,062
Dallas Christian College*Alternative11N.Av.$28,981
East Texas Baptist UniversityMaster’s$23,200
Houston Baptist University*Alternative459N.Av.$18,782
Houston Community Colleges*Alternative$6,033
Huston-Tillotson University*Alternative1313N.Av.$14,375
Lamar University*AAQEP, CAEPAlternative42N.Av.$11,116
Lone Star Colleges*Alternative$11,049
McLennan Community College*Alternative$5,785
McMurry University*Alternative$20,817
Mountain View College*Alternative$4,068
North American University*Alternative147N.Av.$9,886
Our Lady of the Lake UniversityMaster’s$18,671
Paul Quinn CollegeCertificate$14,237
Prairie View A&M University*Alternative221N.Av.$13,794
Relay Graduate School of Education*Alternative, Master’s
Rice UniversityAlternative40N.Av.$19,215
Sam Houston State UniversityCAEPMaster’s00100%$13,904
Southern Methodist University*Alternative, Master’s$41,444
Southwestern Adventist University*Alternative00N.Av.$20,654
Southwestern Assemblies of God University*Alternative, Master’s85N.Av.$23,931
Stephen F. Austin State University*CAEPAlternative, Master’s2715100%$12,649
Texas A&M International University*Alternative276N.Av.$4,165
Texas A&M University-Central Texas*Alternative, Master’s$3,637
Texas A&M University-College StationMaster’s3131100%$19,906
Texas A&M University-Commerce*Alternative, Master’s5734100%$12,853
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi*Alternative, Master’s2824N.Av.$14,294
Texas A&M University-Kingsville*Alternative, Master’s64N.Av.$13,466
Texas A&M University-Texarkana*Alternative2811100%$11,201
Texas Lutheran University*Alternative152N.Av.$19,128
Texas State UniversityCertificate, Master’s463196%$13,750
Texas Wesleyan University*Alternative, Master’s312897%$23,479
Texas Woman’s UniversityCertificate, Master’s14440N.Av.$10,087
Trinity UniversityMaster’s$31,141
University of Dallas*Alternative, Master’s30N.Av.$27,450
University of Houston-Clear Lake*Alternative, Certificate, Master’s4413100%$14,667
University of Houston-Downtown*Alternative, Master’s81N.Av.$12,087
University of Houston-Victoria*Alternative, Certificate4217N.Av.$9,657
University of Mary Hardin-Baylor*Alternative82N.Av.$27,629
University of North Texas-Dallas*Alternative152N.Av.$13,781
University of North Texas-Denton*Certificate6026100%$13,782
University of St. ThomasMaster’s$19,940
University of Texas-Arlington*Alternative, Master’s512689%$15,220
University of Texas-Austin*Certificate, Master’s432592%$16,892
University of Texas-Dallas*Alternative, Master’s429N.Av.$11,185
University of Texas-El Paso*Alternative, Master’s26016100%$8,758
University of Texas-Permian Basin*CAEPAlternative24749100%$7,424
University of Texas-San AntonioAlternative398N.Av.$10,934
University of Texas-TylerMaster’s00N.Av.$11,658
University of the Incarnate WordAAQEPMaster’s$23,041
Wayland Baptist UniversityAlternative42N.Av.$25,220
West Texas A&M University*Alternative, Master’s34973100%$13,105

  • — indicates none or not applicable.
  • N.Av. indicates data was not available or pass rates were omitted for confidentiality.
  • *Schools with an asterisk offer programs that can include paid classroom placements, subject to qualifications and experience. Students may be responsible for securing their own placement. Contact programs for further information.

Additional Resources

Related Articles

References:
1. Texas State Education Agency: https://tea.texas.gov/
2. Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP): https://caepnet.org/provider-search
3. Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP): https://aaqep.org/accredited-programs
4. US Department of Education 2021 Title II Report: https://title2.ed.gov/Public/Home.aspx
5. National Center for Education Statistics College Navigator: https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/