Alternative Certification of Educators (ACE)

ACE is an Initial Teaching Certification Program for candidates who hold an undergraduate degree in a content area that leads to initial certification. Candidates must meet University admissions requirements as outlined in the Graduate Admissions section of this catalog. 

Program Description

The courses for this program are offered online.  Candidates can enroll in this certificate program concurrently with other content area Master of Science programs.

ACE is an Initial Teaching Certification Program for candidates who hold an undergraduate degree in a content area that leads to initial certification. Candidates must meet University admissions requirements as outlined in the Graduate Admissions section of this catalog. Furthermore, students must be accepted into the ACE program which includes demonstrating competencies in the desired teaching area by passing the content area state exam prior to entry. Should the student wish to continue and work toward a Master's degree in Elementary Education or Secondary Education, the four graduate courses taken in the ACE program will apply towards that degree completion. In addition, if the student completed an internship, the six graduate courses will apply toward certificate completion.

Student Learning Outcomes:

• design instruction and assessment to promote student learning;
• provide examples of a positive classroom climate;
• determine effective, responsive instruction and assessment as teachers;
• articulate and fulfill professional roles and responsibilities as teachers.

ACE offers initial certification in the following areas:

• Core Subjects EC-6
• Mathematics 4-8

ACE students enter the program as a cohort and begin in the first summer session. Although coursework for this program is online, 30-hours of observation and clinical experience requires face-to-face attendance in schools. These students may either complete clinical teaching, a 14-week, full-day, teaching practicum at a public or private school accredited by the Texas Education Agency, or an Internship, a one-year, supervised, professional assignment at a public or private school accredited by the Texas Education Agency that will lead to completion of a standard certificate. Upon completion of the ACE program, the student must apply for initial certification at the Texas Education Agency website.

For more information, please contact:

Kathleen Lynch-Davis
Kathleen.Lynch-Davis@tamucc.edu
6300 Ocean Drive, ECDC 224
Corpus Christi, TX 78412-5834
361-825-2446

Admission Requirements

Candidates must:

• hold a Baccalaureate Degree from an accredited institution of higher learning. Official transcripts must reflect an overall 3.0 GPA for full admission.  Conditional acceptance must reflect an overall 2.75 GPA.
• pass the TX Pre-Admission Content Test (PACT), in compliance with TEA guidelines; https://tea.texas.gov/texas-educators/certification/educator-testing/pre-admission-content-test. 
• complete an admission interview with a faculty member of the Department of Curriculum, Instruction, and Learning Sciences.
• meet all requirements for admission to the graduate program and submit the online graduate application at http://gradschool.tamucc.edu/application.html. 
• Acknowledge, sign, and return a letter of acceptance declaring their choice of certification area to comply with Texas Education Agency rules.  Upon this declaration, students may not change from their initial choice of certification area.

Retention in the ACE Teacher Education Program

Requirements for admission to and retention in the ACE Initial Teacher Certification Program are noted in the opening graduate catalog section for the College of Education and Human Development under “Programs Leading to Post-Baccalaureate Teaching Certification.” Please review this section for details.

Application and Recommendation for the Initial Teacher Certificate

Initial teacher certification by the Texas Education Agency is not automatically granted with the completion of an approved program of study. The ACE student must first be recommended for certification by the COEHD upon successful completion of the prescribed preparation program, passing of all required TExES exams, and the candidate’s submission of the online application through the Texas Education Agency website. Application fees are required.

Program Requirements

Clinical Teaching or Internship

If you choose the intern teacher path, you will register for:

Courses

Teacher Education/Student Teaching Courses

Reading Courses