Our program is a graduate-level initial teacher certificate preparation program approved by the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC). The ACP consists of 18 semester credit hours of coursework, and 6 semester credit hours of internship. During the internship period, teacher candidates are employed with an accredited school district at full salary and benefits as teacher of record. Typically, students are in the program for about 3 semesters, although depending on many factors, it may be longer.

For admission to the TAMUK ACP, applicants must demonstrate content mastery with a passing score using the Pre-Admission Content Test (PACT) and must have earned a Bachelor’s degree.  Must submit official transcripts and have 2.75 GPA.                                                                                          

Additionally, the applicant must be admitted to the College of Graduate Studies at TAMUK and complete an application for admission to ACP.

On our website www.tamuk.edu , click on Admissions and then click on Cost of Attendance for tuition and fees. The program fee of $3000.00 will not be charged until an employment contract is signed with a school district.  The program fee can be paid by payroll deduction ($300.00 for 10 months) or arrangement can be made by student to pay the Business Office.  The program fee does not include tuition and fees.

Class meetings will vary in structure and at the discretion of the instructor. Some classes are online, hybrid and those with required face-to-face meetings are either in the evening or on a Saturday.

It is the mission of the TAMUK Alternative Certification Program to prepare qualified educators for a rewarding and long-standing career in education.

Per HB 1508 effective September 1, 2017, all applicants to teacher preparation should be aware of the following:

An individual who has been convicted of an offense may be ineligible for issuance of an occupational license upon completion of an educational program. A person may request a criminal history evaluation letter regarding the personal eligibility for a license issued by the licensing authority.

To learn more about the requirements involved in a Preliminary History Criminal Evaluation, please contact the Certification Coordinator or visit http://www.tea.texas.gov/Texas_Educators/Investigations  

Admission Procedures

1. Register for the Pre-Admission Content Test (PACT) which corresponds to the certificate sought.
2. After passing the PACT exam,
   1. apply for admission to the Texas A&M University-Kingsville College of Graduate Studies at the Apply Texas Website
   2. request an Alternative Certification Program (ACP) application at lydia.landin@tamuk.edu.
3. Submit with ACP application:
   1. Official transcripts
   2. PACT results