Accelerated Teacher Certification Program

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The Accelerated Teacher Certification Program at Houston Community College is a state-approved comprehensive educator preparation program that train individuals for Texas standard certification in elementary and secondary education.

Certificate areas that are currently offered:

• Bilingual Generalist (EC-4)
• English Language Arts & Reading/ Social Studies (4-8)
• ESL Supplemental (EC-12)
• Generalist (EC-4 or 4-8)
• History (8-12) 
• Life Science (8-12)
• Mathematics (4-8 or 8-12)
• Physical Education (EC-12)
• Physical Science (8-12)
• Science (4-8 or 8-12)
• Social Studies (4-8 or 8-12)
• Special Education (EC-12)

Our Mission

The HCC – Accelerated Teacher Certification Program is dedicated to:

• Preparing individuals for Texas standard certification
• Engaging all students in an understanding of teaching and its role in education
• Offering high quality instruction, training and mentorship to ACP students
• Serving the education community as a resource and initiative for collaboration between the ACP, students, Region IV area schools including independent school districts, charter, private and parochial
• Introducing the community to the Accelerated Teacher Certification Program at Houston Community College

Overview

Educator preparation programs such as alternative certification programs began in the mid-1980’s as one way of minimizing the teacher shortage that was occurring across the nation.

In Texas, there are many factors that contributed to this shortage including a rising population growth, low recruitment and retention of teachers in the state’s educational system, and the large number of teachers retiring each year.

The term “alternative teacher certification” has been used to refer to non-traditional avenues to become licensed to teach. (Traditional methods have included an associate’s degree leading to a four-year college or an undergraduate degree plan at a four-year university.)

The State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) approved the Accelerated Teacher Certification Program at HCC in November 2002. The Board is guided by the philosophy that educators will create higher standards for preparation, practice, and conduct than others outside the profession, and that educators will rigorously uphold these standards.

The highlights of the Accelerated Teacher Certification Program include:

Elementary and Secondary level Texas teacher certifications in:

• Bilingual Generalist
• ESL Supplemental
• Generalist
• History
• Life Science
• Mathematics
• Physical Education
• Physical Science
• Science
• Social Studies
• Special Education

Comprehensive and fast-tracked curriculums:

• Cohort-based training
• Convenient location
• Small class sizes
• Variety of training schedules
• Student advising services
• Mentoring program with master teachers

Information may be subject to change without prior written notice.

Requirements

What are the entrance requirements?

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education
  • Overall grade point requirement:
  • 3.0 on advanced degree or
  • 2.50 on Bachelor\'s degree or
  • 2.50 overall
    
• Official transcripts
• Academic coursework in content area
• THEA scores
• Résumé
• Must pass a scored interview
• Must be able to meet program cost
• Must be able to work legally in the United States
• Bilingual certificate candidates must be proficient in Spanish

Content Prerequisites

Bilingual/Generalist EC-4

• 6 English/ Language Arts
• 6 Mathematics
• 6 Natural Science
• 6 Social Studies
• 3 Fine Arts
  

Bilingual/Generalist 4-8

• 9 English/ Language Arts
• 9 Mathematics
• 9 Natural Science
• 9 Social Studies
• 6 Fine Arts
  

English Language Arts & Reading/Social Studies 4-8

18 English/Language Arts (6 semester hours must be advanced levels)
18 History, Government, Economics, Civics, Geography, Sociology or Anthropology (6 semester hours must be advanced levels)

History 8-12

24 World or United States History (12 semester hours must be advanced levels)

Social Studies 4-8

18 History, Government, Economics, Civics, Geography, Sociology or Anthropology (6 semester hours must be advanced levels)

Social Studies 8-12

24 History, Government, Economics, Civics, Geography, Sociology or Anthropology (12 semester hours must be advanced levels)

Mathematics 4-8

18 Mathematics (6 semester hours must be advanced levels)

Mathematics 8-12

24 Mathematics (12 semester hours must be advanced levels)

Life Science 8-12

24 Biology (12 semester hours must be advanced levels)

Physical Science 8-12

24 Combination of Physics, Chemistry and Astronomy (12 semester hours must be advanced levels)

Science 4-8

18 Combination of Life and Physical Sciences (6 semester hours must be advanced levels)

Science 8-12

36 Combination of Life and Physical Sciences (18 semester hours must be advanced levels)

Special Education EC-12

• 6 English/ Language Arts
• 6 Mathematics
• 6 Natural Science
• 6 Social Studies
• 3 Speech/Communication

Physical Education EC-12

24 Combination of kinesiology and physical education (12 semester hours must be advanced levels)

Program Description

 Certification is achieved through successful completion of training, state exams and teaching internship.  The program requires approximately 18 months to complete.

Training will reflect the state teacher proficiencies and TExES competencies. HCC – Accelerated Teacher Certification Program has created an individualized program to meet the needs of each content or certificate area.

Program training includes:

• 96 contact hours in professional development

• 216 contact hours of content area education

• 30 hours of field-based experience

• 15 hours of service learning experience

• one year internship or employment with independent school district or state-accredited school

• Pass all state  exams

In the second component of the program, teachers will be employed full-time and be supported by continuing professional development education.  A mentoring program based on the TxBESS standards will also be provided throughout the school year.

Mentoring Program

 The Accelerated Teacher Certification Program strives to facilitate the career goals of its students and create a successful and meaningful experience that will prepare them to become competent teachers in Texas schools.

All students will participate in a mentoring component as part of the program requirements. Studies from the last few years have revealed that on-the-job nurturing and support by mentors can accelerate success and effectiveness among beginning teachers as well as help to retain educators in the teaching profession. In addition, experts conclude that an effective mentoring experience leads to the beginning teacher’s increased satisfaction and competence in teaching. Also, statistics show that professional growth of mentored teachers surpasses non-mentored teachers.

HCC’s mentoring philosophy is that the fundamental role of the mentor is to support and assist the student or pre-service teacher.  The role of the mentor is to help the individual to develop into an independent, fully functioning, reflective teacher who will regularly engage in problem-solving related to his or her own teaching. 

These are the goals of the HCC – Accelerated Teacher Certification Program mentoring program:

• Improve student/educator performance

• Increase student/educator retention during the pre-service training period

• Promote the personal and professional well-being of new ACP students and pre-service teachers

Mentor teachers will be selected by the HCC– Accelerated Teacher Certification Program mentoring committee to determine a most qualified and suitable match for the intern or novice teacher.  The mentor and novice teacher’s understanding of each other’s roles and expectations is fundamental in establishing a basis for compatibility. 

ACP Information Sessions

HCC–Accelerated Teacher Certification Program will be holding

free information sessions!

Topics to be covered:  

• Program overview

• Training schedule

• Payment plans

Please call Anna Go at (713) 718-8185 to reserve your seat today! 

Information may be subject to change without prior written notice.

Registration

Summer 2009 Application Deadline: April 30, 2009

Completed application packet must include the following:

1. Program application
2. Official college or university transcript(s)
3. THEA scores
4. Résumé
5. Application fee $75 (money order or cashier check only)
    

Submit completed application packet by person or mail to:

Houston Community College
Accelerated Teacher Certification Program
3214 Austin Street, room D106
Houston, TX 77004

All materials submitted will become the property of Houston Community College – Accelerated Teacher Certification Program
The processing of applications takes approximately 1 week and applications are valid for one year.  Applicants will be notified in writing immediately following the evaluation or interview.

INCOMPLETE PACKETS AND APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE EVALUATED

Tuition and Fees

Financial Assistance

Individuals may qualify for the following:

College Access Loan
http://www.hhloans.com/borrowers/calfactsheet.cfm

G.I. Bill Benefits
http://www.gibill.va.gov/

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board
http://www.thecb.state.tx.us/ 

The Workforce Solutions
http://www.wrksolutions.com/ 

Troops to Teachers
http://www.esc13.net/troops/

Payment Options

Payment Option #1

ACP tuition payment in full - $3,900 by May 19, 2009.

Payment Option #2

ACP Installment Tuition Fee Schedule

(Payable by cash, check, money order, cashier check, Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover)

* Please note, a $25 installment fee is included in the first payment.

Application

Map

HCCS- Central
Educational Development Center

3214 Austin Street (corner of Francis/Caroline)
Houston, Texas 77004

Room D106
Phone (713) 718-8185

Central Campus Map

Street Map

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