Competitive Salary
The average Texas teacher salary for the 2022-23 school year was $60,716 according to TEA data.
Alternative Certification Program for Teachers
Non-credit program is 100% online.
About the Program
The College of Education’s Alternative Certification Program (ACP) is 100% online and designed for candidates who hold a bachelor’s degree in any area and would like to pursue a career in teaching.
Distinctive features include:
- Coursework designed by UTA faculty and staff in collaboration with school districts.
- Intensive mentoring support throughout the program.
- Professional support beyond classroom completion to ensure success and longevity in the classroom.
High Demand for Teachers
The Texas Education Agency (TEA) estimates continued, high demand for certified teachers over the next 10 years.
A Way to Give Back
Teachers who are driven by purpose and want to make a difference in students’ lives, find teaching rewarding and fulfilling.
Customized Learning Experience
Students will complete 300 hours of online, asynchronous modules designed to meet Texas Education Agency requirements for alterative certification and address topics such as:
- The role of the professional educator
- K-12 classroom management
- Instructional planning and delivery
- Formative and summative assessment
- Design of instruction to meet the needs of individual learners
Program Phases
Phase 1
Students will complete 300 hours of self-paced content modules with the opportunity to participate in virtual sessions with UTA faculty and staff. Students will also receive mentoring support to ensure they are prepared for Texas teacher certification exams.
Phase 2
After completing the initial training modules, completing 50 hours of classroom observations and early field experience, passing the TExES content exam, students have two options for completing Phase 2 of the program:
- Option 1—Internship: An internship offers the opportunity to complete two semesters of clinical experience while earning a teacher salary and serving as the teacher of record in a classroom.
- Option 2—Clinical Teaching: Clinical teaching typically takes one semester and is an unpaid apprenticeship where students work under the supervision of a certified classroom teacher.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, UTA’s Alternative Certification Program (ACP) is designed to meet the needs of all candidates, including those who do not have any prior teaching experience. To help prepare you for a role as a classroom teacher, you will complete early field experience and observe in a classroom setting.
The program fee is $5,000. You’ll also be asked to pay a technology fee of $35 to UTA to cover the cost of using the Texas Education Agency system for pre-service teachers.
Since the program is a non-credit program, federal financial aid is not available. However, there may be funding opportunities as part of a district partnership program.
To become a certified teacher, there are some additional state-required fees that you will pay to outside agencies or companies:
- Certification Exam Preparation (Certify Teacher): $35 per exam
- Certification Exams: $116 per exam (additional fees may apply for some exams)
- Background Check and Fingerprinting: $52.20
- Intern Certificate: $78
- Standard Certificate: $78
After you submit your application, the next step is to submit all other required documents, including official transcripts from your bachelor’s degree and any other required documents.
If you’re employed as the teacher of record, you will receive pay and benefits from your school district.
How to Apply
Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university, have a minimum 2.5 overall GPA, and a 2.5 or higher GPA in the last 60 hours of coursework.