Applicants must have a conferred bachelor's degree with either:

• A minimum 2.5 GPA overall, or
• A 2.5 GPA in the last 60 credit hours

If you do not meet the GPA requirement, or if you are seeking certification in an area where you have no related college coursework, you must take and pass a Pre-Admission Content Test (PACT) before being admitted.

TExES Content Test

Examples include Math, Core Subjects, Science, English, and Social Studies—based on your certification area.

• Required for: All candidates
• Recommended timing: 30 days after the related course ends

TExES Science of Teaching Reading (STR)

• Required for: Core Subjects EC–6, Core Subjects 4–8, English 4–8, and English/Social Studies 4–8.
• Recommended timing: Immediately upon completion of the STR course

TExES Pedagogy and Professional Responsibility (PPR)

• Required for: All candidates
• Recommended timing: Must be passed before beginning Internship or Clinical Teaching

Optional Exams

• TExES English as a Second Language Supplemental
• TExES Bilingual Supplemental
• TExES Bilingual Target Language Proficiency

There are a total of four (4) phases in regards to the certification process:

1. Admissions
2. Coursework
3. Clinical Teaching or Internship
4. Finalizing Standard Certification

If your bachelor's degree is from a country that the Texas Education Agency (TEA) designates as English-speaking, you do not need to take the TOEFL. If your country is not on TEA's English-speaking list, you must take the TOEFL-iBT.

To meet ACC Teacher Certification admission requirements, your TOEFL scores must fall within the High-Intermediate range for each section:

• Reading: 18–23
• Listening: 17–21
• Speaking: 20–24
• Writing: 17–23

TOEFL scores are valid for two years.

Yes, you must achieve scores that fall within the High-Intermediate level for each section of the TOEFL-iBT. High-Intermediate level scores for each section:

• Reading 18-23
• Listening 17-21
• Speaking 20-24
• Writing 17-23

TOEFL scores are valid for two years. More information and the test registration portal may be found at https://www.ets.org/toefl/.

Students must complete the official ACC program application which can be found here. Students must also provide their official transcripts, sent digitally, to Karin.Miller@austincc.edu as well as complete a face-to-face interview.

You can begin the ACC Teacher Certification Program in the fall, spring, or summer. Classes meet Monday - Thursday from 6:00 - 9:30 p.m. and may be offered virtually or face-to-face.

The program follows a two-year pathway supported by a personalized certification plan:

The first year is completion of required state curriculum, 30 hours of field based experiences and required testing for state licensure. All must be completed prior to clinical teaching or internship.

The second year is completion of an internship or clinical teaching, as defined below.

• Clinical teaching is a 14-week, non-paid experience in an approved TEA private, charter, or public school.
• An internship involves having a contract with an approved TEA private, charter, or public school for one academic year or 180 day as teacher of record. The candidate receives first year's teacher salary, benefits, and teacher retirement.

Both of these experiences are completed under the supervision of the ACC Teacher Certification Program.

Student Complaint Procedures

ACC is committed to creating a supportive learning environment. If you have a concern, you may submit a student complaint regarding classroom instruction, college services, program operations, or discrimination based on race, color, gender, religion, age, national origin, disability, or sexual orientation.

Please note that grade disputes and sexual harassment or misconduct complaints follow separate processes.

For full details on how to submit a complaint and the steps involved, please refer to the Alternative Teacher Certification Complaint Policies & Procedures document.

According to TAC 19 Section 228.35(1)(5)(A), each educator preparation program is required to develop and implement specific criteria and procedures that allow:

• (a) Military service members or military veteran candidates to credit verified military service, training, or education toward the training, education, work experience or related requirements (other than certification examinations) for educator certification requirements, provided that the military service, training, or education is directly related to the certificate being sought.

ACC reviews prior coursework to determine whether it can apply toward your certification plan.

Military Training

ACC will accept coursework shown on an official military transcript if it is relevant to the certification area you are pursuing.

Colleges and Universities

ACC will accept coursework from accredited colleges and universities if it relates to your certification area. Field-based experiences from previous institutions may also be accepted with proper documentation.

Alternative Certification Programs

ACC will not accept coursework completed in another alternative certification program. However, field-based experiences may be accepted with appropriate documentation.

Military:

ACC WILL evaluate and accept any coursework recorded on an official transcript completed while in the military if it is pertinent to the certification area sought by the candidate.

Colleges and Universities:

ACC WILL evaluate and accept any coursework recorded on an official transcript completed at other colleges and universities if it relates to the certification area being sought by the candidate. ACC will also accept any field-based experiences with proper documentation.

Alternative Certification Programs:

ACC WILL NOT accept any coursework from an alternative certification program. However, with proper documentation, ACC will accept any field-based experiences completed.

Candidates in the ACC Teacher Certification Program are expected to meet both academic and professional standards that reflect the responsibilities of a competent Texas educator. These expectations ensure that anyone recommended for certification is fully prepared to work independently in a classroom.

Candidates are held to all program agreements, policies, and the Texas Educators' Code of Ethics. A candidate may be placed on probation or dismissed from the program for reasons that include, but are not limited to:

• Failure to follow the Texas Educators' Code of Ethics
• Poor attendance in classes, fieldwork, or internship/clinical teaching
• Incomplete or unsatisfactory coursework
• Unresolved Fitness to Teach concerns
• Failure to complete 50 hours of field-based experiences on time
• Lack of satisfactory progress toward program completion
• Not meeting requirements for clinical teaching or internship
• Failure to meet financial obligations to ACC
• Failure to pass required TExES exams
• Falsifying application or program documents
• Failure to disclose criminal activity

If a candidate resigns or is released from the program, the following steps must be completed within 5 working days:

• Resignation: Candidate must submit written notice to the program coordinator or admissions officer.
• Release: The program will issue an official letter explaining the reason for release.
• Exit Interview: Candidate must complete an exit interview with ACC staff.
• Return Program Materials: All books, technology, and materials must be returned. Unreturned items will be billed, and grades may be withheld.

Candidates who are admitted to the ACC Teacher Certification Program are expected to demonstrate both academic and specified non-academic standards that are necessary to be competent teachers. The intent is to ensure that the candidates recommended for teacher certification can effectively and independently carry out the duties for which they are being prepared. We will hold you to your signed agreements and program policies. You will be placed on probation or asked to leave the Teacher Certification Program based on, but not limited to, the reasons listed below.

Reasons for Discipline or Dismissal

• Failure to abide by the Texas Educator's Code of Ethics
• Poor attendance (classes, field experience, internship/clinical teaching placements, etc.)
• Incomplete or unsatisfactory coursework
• Uncorrected Fitness to Teach incident(s)
• Failure to complete 50 clock hours of field-based experiences on time
• Unsatisfactory progress toward completion of the program
• Failure to meet requirements of clinical teaching, internship, or residency
• Failure to maintain financial responsibilities to ACC
• Failure to pass TExES examinations
• Falsification of application or program information
• Failure to disclose criminal activity

If a candidate resigns from the program or is released by the program, the following must be completed within 5 working days.

1. In the event of resignation from the program, written notice to the program coordinator or to the admissions officer is required.
2. In the event of release by the program, the program will send an official letter to the candidate stating the reason for release.
3. An exit interview must be held with an ACC staff member.
4. All materials (books, technology, etc.) must be returned. If not, the candidate will be billed for the costs of the materials and grades withheld.