FAQS

Commonly Asked Questions

What are the program costs?

 Fees 

Enrollment fee:  $325

    • includes $75 enrollment fee & $250 for two sessions for Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities (PPR EC-12) preparational class
  • $300 for two sessions – Per Content Preparational class
  • $200 for two sessions – Bilingual preparational class and BTLPT review
  • $125 for two sessions – ESL Supplemental preparational class
  • 1st-year Internship fee is paid upon Hire (please call the office for Internship Fee information)

**Please see Enrollment Process for enrollment information**

 

Fees are subject to change

What are the additional admission requirements that must be submitted upon enrollment?

Once your eligibility is confirmed, you are ready to enroll. You will be required to complete/submit the following:

 

1. Program Application 

 

2.  FERPA Agreement 

 

3. 300 Hours / Curriculum Plan 

 

4. Educator Code of Ethics 

 

5. Program Contract 

 

6. Student Check List –

  • 1 Page Essay of Why you Wish to be a Teacher
  • Professional Resume
  • ACTor SAT scores  OR  Official transcripts bearing TSI requirements have been met

7. Supply and Demand

 

8. Exit, Re-Entry, and Transfer Policy

Are there additional certification costs?

  • Yes.
    • $116.00 +tax for each certification exam you attempt – Paid to Pearson Vue (select exam to view details)
    • $52.00 1 yr Internship Certificate Fee – Paid to the Texas Education Agency (upon hire)
    • $47.00 Fingerprinting Fee – Paid to the Texas Education Agency (upon hire)
    • $77.00 5 yr Standard Certification Fee – Paid to the Texas Education Agency (at the end of 1-year certification)
    • $2,050.00 Probationary Extension fee (additional certification year) and $2,550  (third year certification) – Paid to South Texas Transition to Teaching, ACP

What are your program requirements?

  • The basic candidate requirements at South Texas Transition to Teaching-Alternative Certification Program (ACP), are as follows:
    • Must have a valid bachelors degree OR be within one semester of graduating, from an accredited institution of higher education
    • Must have a minimum 2.5 GPA (on a 4.0 scale)
    • Must be eligible to work under a probationary certificate
    • Must not be currently enrolled in another certification program**

    Visit our Minimum Requirements section for more details

**accepting transfers

How do I know what area of certification to pursue?

  • South Texas Transition to Teaching, ACP will evaluate your college/university transcript(s)  for FREE.  Please bring your complete transcript(s) of all of the college/universities you attended to our office and you will be contacted with your options, within 1 to 2 business days.  Please be aware that all application materials submitted become the sole property of South Texas Transition to Teaching, ACP and cannot be returned under any circumstances.

How long does it take to get my certification?

  • To obtain your Texas Standard Teaching Certification, you must complete three main components of certification:  TESTING, TRAINING & TEACHING.  Not everyone completes their certification in the same order, however, once you have been hired by a public or approved charter/private school and you have worked under a valid probationary certificate, you can earn your certification within 12 months of your hire date.  While you are seeking a teaching internship, you will need to complete your testing and training requirements.

How long do I have to complete the program?

Prior to your Internship (when you begin your certification), there is no timeframe on when you need to complete the hours and pass your TExES exams.  Upon enrollment, your assigned program specialist will let you what you need to do in order to begin searching for eligible teaching positions so you can begin your certification. 80% of the time you will be able to complete the first 180 at your own pace before obtaining an eligible teaching position. The faster you complete your training hours and pass your TExES exams, the faster you will be eligible for a teaching position and begin your certification process. Once you begin your certification, you have 1 year to complete all 300 hours and pass all TExES exams. 

 

The breakdown of the 300 is as follows:

  • 15 hours Observing Certified Teachers (prior to obtaining a teaching position)
    • unless you are eligible for the “Late Hire Provision”  you can complete these hours within 90 days after you obtain a teaching position- upon enrollment, your assigned program specialist will inform you if you are eligible for this provision.

 

  • 15 hours interacting with Students (prior to obtaining a teaching position)
    • unless you are eligible for the “Late Hire Provision”  you can complete these hours within 90 days after you obtain a teaching position- upon enrollment, your assigned program specialist will inform you if you are eligible for this provision.

 

  • 150 Pre-Internship Coursework Training (prior to obtaining a teaching position)
    • unless you are eligible for the “Late Hire Provision”  you can complete these hours within 90 days after you obtain a teaching position- upon enrollment, your assigned program specialist will inform you if you are eligible for this provision.

 

  • 120 Internship Coursework Training (while you are on an internship and must be complete before your issued certificate expires)

 

I am not a student in a program and I have successfully challenged my exams through Pre-Admissions Content Testing (PACT), what is my next step?

  • Congratulations!  Passing the PACT exam is a great way to qualify for the certification area you wish to pursue. Please contact our office for additional guidance on what your next steps are with South Texas Transition to Teaching, ACP.

I have completed my tests, can I obtain my certification with out completing my internship?

  • No, apart from testing, the teaching internship and 300 hours of educator preparation training, is a vital part of the certification process.

What trainings do I have to complete to obtain my Standard Certification?

  • The State of Texas requires alternative teacher certification candidates to complete a minimum of 300 training hours.
    • 150 hours of Coursework
    • 30 FBE observation hours
      • 15 interaction
      • 15 observation
    • 120 Internship Training

Can I be certified in more than one area of certification?

  • Your transcript evaluation may reveal that you are qualified to teach more than one subject area and you may challenge all or one of those contents, however, your initial certification can only be in the content area(s) that the hiring districts require.  Once you have earned your standard certification, you may add additional content areas to your state certification.

Do I need a certificate to apply or be hired by a school district/charter school?

  • No.  While you will eventually need to hold a valid probationary certificate during your teaching internship, you do not need a probationary certificate to apply for teaching positions or to be hired.  The school district may want to verify that you are eligible to hold a certificate and that you are enrolled in an approved educator preparation program and enrolled students can receive a letter of recommendation to prove their eligibility.

What is a Probationary Certificate?

A Probationary Certificate is issued when you have been hired for a teaching position and have passed all exams including the Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities (PPR) exam. You will be formally observed by your assigned Field Supervisor 3 times within your year according to TAC RULE §228.35 (g)(4). You have one full year to complete all required trainings to obtain a Standard Certificate.

What is an Intern Certificate?

An Intern Certificate is issued when you have been hired for a teaching position and have passed all required exams EXCEPT the  Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities (PPR) exam. You will be formally observed by your assigned Field Supervisor 5 times within your year according to TAC RULE §228.35 (g)(3). You have one full year to pass the PPR exam and complete all required trainings to obtain a Standard Certificate.

What is a Standard Certificate?

A Standard Certificate is issued after you have successfully completed one full year teaching under an Intern or Probationary certificate and have completed all requirements:

  • Passed all exams (including PPR)
  • Completed all training hours including
    • 150 coursework training
    • 30 hours observation

According to TAC Rule 228.35

What happens if I do not complete my certification requirements within my 1st intern year?

  • While our program will offer you ample opportunity to complete your training, testing and teaching within one calendar year, if you do not complete your requirements and you remain in your current teaching position you will have to pay an internship extension fee of $2050.00 for a 2nd year extension and $2,550 for a 3rd year extension  to South Texas Transition to Teaching, ACP and you will need to apply and pay for a probationary certification extension (through the Texas Education Agency) before you can be granted a probationary recommendation. You must pass the PPR exam to qualify for a Probationary Extension according to RULE §228.35 (iv)

Do I have to be enrolled in your educator preparation program to challenge a certification exam?

Yes, once you are enrolled, we will prepare you before obtaining access to register for an exam.

I have a criminal record, will that prevent me from becoming a teacher?

  • The staff at South Texas Transition to Teaching, ACP is not authorized to assess your criminal history, however, most individuals who have committed a felony are not eligible for their Texas Standard Teaching Certificate.  The Texas Education Agency has provided certification seekers with an evaluation service that will provide the applicant with a letter, advising the requestor, of a determination of potential ineligibility for educator certification.  Please visit this link for more details —> Request for Preliminary Criminal History Evaluation.

I have military experience, does the program allow my prior experience, education or training?

South Texas Transition to Teaching does not certify prospector future teachers in CATE (Career and Technology Education). Consequently, we can not accept military training or schooling for credit for applicants. Any credit of that nature is applied by the Institute of Higher Education that confers the degree.

Does the program allow my prior experience from another EPP?

Credit transfers for prior training and classroom observations completed at other EPP programs will be evaluated by the program director on a case by case basis. Applicants must provide documentation that the training was research-based in effective teaching methodology and instruction based on high-level student participation and questioning and academic success of students.
The program director’s decision is final and non-negotiable.

Can my mentor be a mentor from another school? I am having difficulty finding a mentor with 3 years in same field in my particular school.

Yes, state recommends the mentor teacher to be in the same school BUT if they are in another school, so long as you obtain the support you need throughout the year. 

Who needs to apply and pay for the Intern or Probationary Certificate?

The steps on how to apply and pay for your initial certificate will be sent to you by your assigned program specialist when you are ready to begin your certification. Once you apply and pay for your designated certificate, email your assigned Program Specialist.

How can I qualify for a Letter of Recommendation?

Once you complete your 180 hours of training (30 observation and 150 pre-internship)  and pass the required exams. This letter will be the key to obtaining a teaching position.

This information is subject to change.  Please contact our office at 956-631-4424, if you have additional questions.

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