Alternative Teacher Certification Program (non-degree program)

Texas Lutheran University offers an alternative teacher certification program in addition to its traditional undergraduate teacher certification program. The alternative teacher certification program is authorized by The State Board of Educator Certification and meets all federal No Child Left Behind standards for an acceptable alternative route to certification by being a program that:

1. Provides high-quality professional development that is sustained, intensive and classroom focused in order to have a positive and lasting impact on classroom instruction before and while teaching;
2. Provides intensive supervision that consists of structured guidance and regular ongoing support for teachers or a teacher mentoring program;
3. Allows the candidate to assume the functions as a teacher for a specified period of time not to exceed three years; and
4. Requires the teacher to demonstrate satisfactory progress toward full certification as prescribed by the State

The TLU alternative teacher certification program offers certification in a variety of areas. These certification areas include: EC-6 Core Subjects with ESL, 4-8 Core Subjects with ESL, 4-8 Science/Math, 4-8 English Language Arts and Reading, 4-8 Social Studies, 4-8 Science, 4-8 Math, 7-12 English Language Arts and Reading, 7-12 History, 7-12 Life Science, 7-12 Math, 7-12 Physical Science, 7-12 Social Studies, 7-12 Science, All-Level Art, All-Level Music, All-Level Physical Education (Kinesiology), All-Level Spanish.

Admission Requirements

Alternative teacher certification program applicants must have, as a minimum, a bachelor’s degree with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.50 or 2.50 GPA in the last 60 semester credit hours previously attempted. If a student is currently working towards a bachelor’s degree and meets the all the noted requirements besides completing the bachelor’s degree, the student can be admitted on a contingency basis as a dual enrolled student while finishing the last semester of coursework towards the bachelor’s degree.  During that last semester, the student can take coursework that will count toward the required hours to graduate, as well as toward completion of the certification plan required within the Alternative Certification Program. The applicant shall have successfully completed prior to admission, at least: A) a minimum of 12 semester credit hours in the subject specific content area for the certification sought, unless the certification area is mathematics or science at or above grade 7, in which 15 semester hours are required; or B) a passing score on a pre-admission content certification examination administered by a TEA-approved vendor. Most certification plans require 18 college credit hours (six total courses) of course work, plus six credit hours in either an internship (paid teaching position) or a clinical teaching (traditional student teaching experience). EC-6 and some 4-8 certification plans include six seven courses, plus the six credit hours in either an internship or clinical teaching opportunity.  A detailed review of each applicant’s transcript will determine exactly how many hours are required for certification.

Program Curriculum

Curriculum for the program is based on the traditional TLU Teacher Education program that has been aligned with SBEC’s approved new educator standards for Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities. When applicable, the standards emphasize the required statewide public school curriculum or the Texas Essential. Knowledge and Skills (TEKS), which also reflect the current research on the developmental stages and needs of children from Early Childhood through Grade 12.

Emphasis is placed on proficiencies for teachers in learner-centered schools. Instruction addresses current research and methodology to provide teachers with the knowledge and skills necessary for successful classroom teaching. Benchmarks and assessments have been established to ensure attainment of standards, competencies and proficiencies.

In the alternative teacher certification program, students can be hired by a district in their certification area as the teacher of record if they pass their content certification(s) exams. Teacher interns must meet all educational requirements that include professional development/competencies regarding area content, evaluations, assessments, field-based experiences, service-learning projects, professional observations/appraisals, portfolios and attendance/ participation. Interns must successfully complete all preparation program requirements and appropriate certification tests for their certification area. A thorough year-long internship is closely monitored by the TLU faculty. During the internship year, all students work with a mentor teacher in the school in addition to the university supervisor. The role of the mentor is to assist the student to develop into an independent, fully functioning reflective teacher who will regularly engage in problem solving related to his or her own teaching. The mentor teacher also observes and assesses the intern’s performance in the classroom. If a student chooses to complete six credit hours of clinical teaching instead of the internship, the student will be assigned a cooperating teacher from the school district and a supervisor from the university. Students choosing to complete a student teaching route instead of the internship for the clinical teaching experience, must pass their TExES certification exams required for their certification plan prior to the semester they start the clinical teaching experience.