Alternative Certification Program (ACP)
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HBU’s Alternative Certification Program (ACP) is an option for attaining initial teacher certification in Texas. HBU’s ACP program has been approved by the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) as complying with the U.S. Department of Education’s rules concerning criteria for an acceptable alternative route to certification program under the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act. The program provides the opportunity for a student with a Bachelor’s degree who meets all requirements for admission to the HBU ACP to be employed as a full-time teacher in area school districts while completing the required coursework for the ACP and to be considered “highly qualified” in accordance with applicable federal law. Students must demonstrate subject area mastery by passing the appropriate Texas Examination of Educator standards content area assessment (
see test information) before they can be employed by a public school district.
What will I experience at HBU?
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Faculty of professionals
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Small classes where you’re known as an individual
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Supervision and support by a University professional
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Pass rate for the PPR certification exam is 100%
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Hiring rate for HBU teacher education students from undergraduate, graduate, and ACP programs close to 100%
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Recent rehire or retention rates of ACP teachers after their first year has been 100%
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Unlike some ACP programs, all 18 hours applicable to a Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction
Program Overview
The Alternative Certification Program (ACP) provides students with 18 hours of graduate level professional education coursework designed to prepare students for positions as teachers.
HBU offers certification programs in the following areas:
You must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited university to be certified in these areas:
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Elementary Education (Early Childhood-Grade 6)
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For Spanish speakers, Bilingual Elementary Education (Early Childhood-Grade 6 Bilingual)
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Grades pre-Kindergarten-12 (Special Education)
For these certifications, you must have at least 12 college level hours in one of these teaching areas:
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Grades 4-8 (Math, Science, Social Studies, or English Language Arts and Reading)
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Grades 8-12 (English Language Arts and Reading, Math, Composite Social Studies, History, Life Sciences, Science Composite, Foreign Languages, Speech, and Journalism)
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Grades pre-Kindergarten-12 (Physical Education, Art, or Music)
The six required courses (18 hours) vary by certification area. These courses allow students to learn effective teaching strategies, understand learning theories and discipline management systems, experience Fieldwork, and establish a firm foundation for success as a teacher. Students must also complete a one year supervised internship as a full-time teacher in a public, charter, or accredited private school. This is a paid teaching position which the student is responsible for securing.
How do I become certified?
Candidates who are admitted to the program and pass the Content area TExES in their certification field will be eligible for employment at a school district as a teacher. Once employed, HBU will approve students for Probationary certification. When the student completes the required coursework, passes the Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities Texas Certification Exam (TExES), and successfully completes a supervised year of employment as a teacher in a school, he or she is eligible for recommendation for the Standard Teacher certificate.
Where can I go from here?
Once the student has completed the 18 hours of required coursework, the student may apply those hours toward the requirements for one of the masters degrees offered by the
HBU School of Education.
For additional information about the ACP Program, contact the Graduate School.
Related Information: