Alternative Teacher Certification Program (ATCP) Application Process

What to Know Before You Start Your Application

Admission Deadlines

Spring Deadline - November 15
Summer Deadline - April 15
Fall Deadline - July 15

  • Students starting after August 2023 must complete the program within three years of their first ATCP class.
  • Students who started before August 2023 must also complete the program within three years of their first ATCP class.
  • Students in the program for 3+ years must be recommended for certification by January 31, 2025.


Special cases will be handled individually, with resolutions detailed in a student completer agreement. 

Veterans have many resources available when enrolling in an Educator Preparation Program (EPP) in Texas. From GI Bill benefits to support services, a range of assistance ensures a successful transition into a teaching career.

Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) offers a range of resources for veterans seeking to transition to civilian careers, including education. They guide how to use education benefits, find veteran-friendly programs, and more.

GI Bill Education Benefits

Veterans can use their GI Bill benefits for an Educator Preparation Program (EPP). This includes:

  •  Post-9/11 GI Bill: Covers qualifying veterans' tuition, fees, and living expenses. It is the most commonly used GI Bill for education after military service.
  • Montgomery GI Bill: Offers financial assistance for veterans pursuing higher education.
  • Veterans Readiness and Employment (VR&E) Program: Provides funding for veterans with service-connected disabilities preparing for a career.

More information on GI Bill benefits:

Scholarships for Military Veterans: Check with organizations like the American Legion or Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) for scholarships.

Texas Education Agency (TEA) Financial Resources for Teacher Training.

For more information contact a HCC Veteran & Military-Affiliated Student Success (VMASS) representative.

Applicants with an undergraduate or graduate degree from a university or college outside the United States require transcript evaluation by a credential evaluation service. The transcript evaluation must include:

  • Educational degree equivalencies
  • Overall and last 60 semester hours grade point average.
  • Course-by-course analysis.
  • Divisional course analysis (if teaching in grades 7-12).
  • A “teacher certification” evaluation is preferred.

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) internet-based (iBT) exam scores are required if the language of instruction is not English. 

The required scores are:

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

Houston Community College’s (HCC) destination code (DI) is 6296.

TOEFL Exemptions

  • If an additional degree is obtained within the United States. However, a credential evaluation service must still evaluate the degree obtained outside the U.S.

The following credential evaluation services are approved for assessing international transcripts for U.S. equivalency as part of Houston Community College’s Alternative Teacher Certification Program:


Foreign Credential Services of America, Austin, TX
(512) 459-8428 

Global Credential Evaluators, Inc., College Station, TX
(800) 707-0979

International Academic Credential Evaluators, Denton, TX
(940) 383-7498

SDR Educational Consultants, Inc., Houston, TX
(713) 460-3525

SpanTran Evaluation Services, Houston, TX
(713) 266-8805

Worldwide Education Consultant Services, Inc., Houston, TX & Brownsville, TX
(281) 829-9243 (Houston) | (956) 350-4660 (Brownsville)
wecshouston@wecseval.com 

The ATCP application requires the following personal documents in PDF form: 

  • Resume
  • Unofficial Transcripts
  • List three references, including full name, email, and phone number

In addition, you will need to provide the following documents:

  • Educators' Code of Ethics
  • FERPA Release Form
  • Candidate Exit Policy

Which can be downloaded from the Alternative Teacher Certification Program (ATCP) Forms Page.

 

Alternative Teacher Certification Program (ATCP) Application Process

  2. Step 2

    Complete the Alternative Teaching Certificate Program (ATCP) application.

    • Upon submission of the application, HCC staff will evaluate your application to review eligibility and ensure content-specific prerequisite coursework is met.
    • Eligible students will receive an email with a link to the Haberman Teacher Pre-Screener.

    Please email atcp@hccs.edu for questions or status updates.

    Alternative Teaching Certificate Program (ATCP) application

    Important

    HCC Student ID# is required

Additional Information

Candidates receive an acceptance letter via email specifying their eligible certification area. 

Candidates must sign and return the letter to be formally accepted and begin coursework.

Please email atcp@hccs.edu for questions or status updates.

Candidates must attend a mandatory orientation to receive their training schedule and program expectations. 

Students complete the program adjustment form for enrollment once ATCP verifies coursework matches the certification area.