Educator Preparation Program - Alternative Certification Program


The Educator Preparation Program – Alternative Certification Program (ACP) at LeTourneau University provides a pathway for individuals who already hold a bachelor’s degree to earn initial teacher certification in the State of Texas. Offered through LeTourneau University’s Texas Education Agency (TEA)–approved Educator Preparation Program (EPP), the ACP is designed for candidates who did not complete an undergraduate degree in education but seek to become certified educators.

Coursework is delivered fully online and is combined with required field‑based experiences completed in TEA‑certified schools. The program aligns with all TEA standards for educator preparation and certification.

 

Certification Areas (Currently Offered)

  • Early Childhood - Grade 6 (EC-6)
  • Grades 4-8, including all subject concentrations approved by the Texas Education Agency

 

Admission Requirements

Admission to the Alternative Certification Program requires the following:

  • A completed bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution
  • A final cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher
  • Successful completion of the required Pre‑Admission Content Test (PACT) for the selected certification area, as required by the Texas Education Agency
  • Eligibility to complete field‑based experiences in TEA‑certified schools

No additional program‑specific admission requirements are required beyond those listed above.

 

Program Requirements

Candidates admitted to the ACP must complete the following components:

 

Coursework

Candidates complete up to three (3) required education courses, depending on prior academic preparation. Each course carries three (3) semester credit hours.

Required coursework includes:

  • EDUC 3323 - Planning And Assessment 
  • EDUC 4153 - Classroom Management And Organization For The Elementary School 
  • EDUC 4763 - Differentiating Classroom Instruction 

All coursework is delivered 100% online.

 

Field-Based Experiences

The program includes required field‑based components in accordance with TEA standards, including:

  • A minimum of 50 observation hours completed prior to clinical teaching or internship
  • A supervised internship or clinical teaching experience in a TEA‑certified school
    • EDUC4396 Clinical Teaching I or
    • EDUC4863 Internship (2 semesters)

LeTourneau University assists candidates with placement for required field‑based experiences.

 

Certification Examinations

In addition to program coursework and field‑based requirements, candidates must successfully complete all Texas Education Agency–required certification examinations, which may include:

  • Content certification exam(s)
  • Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities (PPR)
  • Science of Teaching Reading (STR), when applicable

 

Program Length

Program completion time varies based on course load and teaching placement. Many candidates are able to complete required coursework and certification preparation within two-three semesters after admission.