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Alternative Certification Program

Alternative Teacher Certification Program

The Department of Education offers an Alternative Teacher Certification program to individuals who are seeking Texas State Certification, but have already earned a baccalaureate or higher degree. This route is great for current teachers who need to get certified or for post-baccalaureate candidates looking to make a career change.

To qualify, a student must have the following: 

  • Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution that reflects a broad base of coursework
  • GPA of 2.75 or higher on baccalaureate degree work 

Certification Areas Certification AreasProgram Timeline 

The Alternative Certification program consists of 18 course credit hours and 6 internship credit hours. The program can be completed in two years with students teaching full-time in a paid internship during their second year. Upon entrance to the program, students will meet with a supervisor to determine an individualized course plan.  Program Timeline

Why University of Dallas?

There are hundreds of alternative certification programs in Texas. What are the benefits of choosing the University of Dallas Alternative Teacher Certification program? 

High-Quality Programming

The University of Dallas has designed the graduate-level Alternative Teacher Certification curriculum with the goal of fully and efficiently preparing students for the classroom.

Individualized Instruction and Mentorship

Because our professors recognize that each student's circumstances are unique, we are dedicated to working one-on-one with students to guide them each step of the way. Convenient scheduling and small class sizes (7:1 student-professor ratio) provide students with flexibility to complete the program while receiving quality and individualized instruction. 

Simple Transition to a Master's Program

Alternative Certification students can add two additional electives to their course plan to obtain their Master of Arts in Teaching.

 

Ready to take the next step? 

Admissions

Admissions Timeline

Program Start Classes Start Application Deadline
Fall 2021 August August 1
Spring 2022 January November 12

Application Requirements Checklist

  • Braniff Graduate School Application
  • Alternative Certification Educator Preparation Program (EPP) Application
    • The EPP application requests many of the same items as the Braniff application. You may re-submit the same documents where applicable.
  • Official transcripts from previous colleges/universities 
    • Send directly to the Braniff Graduate Office and the Education Department Certification Officer.
    • Bachelor's Degree with 2.75 or higher GPA
  • Two letters of recommendation
    • Follow directions in application for sending recommendation form to chosen references.
  • Resume
  • Writing Sample
  • Statement of Purpose
    • A personal statement addressing why you want to be a teacher.
  • Pass the Pre-Admission Content Test (PACT) through a Texas Education Agency (TEA) approved testing vendor.
  • Signed Background Check Affidavit 

International Student Applicants: A foreign credential evaluator that has been recognized by the State of Texas must evaluate all foreign transcripts. In addition, all student applicants whose native language is not English or who did not complete an undergraduate degree in the United States must submit a score report from the TOEFL. The minimum score, effective October 22, 2017, in Speaking of 24, in Listening of 22, in Reading of 22, and in Writing of 22 (within 2 years from date of testing) is also a requirement for issuance of a probationary certificate and for a standard certificate. All scores must not be older than two years.

Background Check Requirements

Enrolling in the educator preparation program is the first step in your preparation to be a licensed teacher.  Ultimately, your suitability for certification as teacher will be evaluated by a state licensing agency, which in Texas will be the Texas Education Agency.  In Texas, as in many states, you may be ineligible for certification due to a criminal or deferred adjudication for a felony or a misdemeanor offense.  A copy of the current Texas Guidelines to consider the eligibility for teacher certification for individuals with criminal history is enclosed for your review.  If your record includes a criminal or deferred adjudication for a felony or misdemeanor offense, and you plan to seek licensure in Texas, you may request a criminal history evaluation letter from the Texas Education Agency to evaluate your potential ineligibility for certification due to a past conviction or deferred adjudication.  Information related to the process for requesting a preliminary evaluation of certification eligibility in Texas is also enclosed to assist you.  Please consider these materials carefully and, if appropriate or if you are unsure, please take steps to review your potential ineligibility for certification before continuing the program and incurring the related tuition and fees.

Additional Information

 

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