Alternative Teacher Certification Program
Our Mission, Vision & Goals
- Mission:
Lone Star College - Alternative Teacher Certification Program prepares passionate, knowledgeable, and culturally responsive educators, committed to excellence and equity in the classroom, to teach and build high-achieving young students from area school districts.
- Vision:
Lone Star College - Alternative Teacher Certification Program aims to be a leading, non-traditional and traditional pathways to teacher certification for undergraduate students and career changers who will drive positive change in diverse classrooms. We envision a future where all students have access to highly qualified, compassionate teachers equipped to meet their unique learning needs.
- Goals:
- To achieve the mission and vision, LSC ATCP is committed to:
- Providing research-based practices that embody student-centered learning in our training and coursework,
- Fostering resilient and adaptive educators by incorporating reflective teaching in clinical and field-based experiences, and
- Strengthening partnerships with area districts to provide on-going professional growth for teacher candidates in their lesson planning and classroom management practices.
- To achieve the mission and vision, LSC ATCP is committed to:
Certification Areas Offered
- Core Subjects with Science of Teaching Reading (EC-6)
- Core Subjects with Science of Teaching Reading (4-8)
- Special Education (EC-12)
- ESL Supplemental
Program Details
1 ½ years - Clinical Teaching Route
2 years - Internship Route
Candidates are required to complete 5 to 7 pre-clinical courses and 1 to 2 clinical experiences courses. (Courses depend on your chosen certification area and clinical experience option.)
The Lone Star College ATCP classes are hybrid (in-person and online). This is not an 100% online program.
Each teaching candidate must choose a clinical experience option to complete the program.
- Internship: The candidate must secure a paid, full-time, position within a TEA accredited school where you will be the teacher of record in your chosen certification area. You will work with a mentor teacher for 1 academic school year (fall and spring semester).
- Clinical Teaching: The Lone Star College ATCP will place you with a preferred district where you will work alongside the teacher of record in your chosen certification area for 1 academic semester (fall or spring). This position is typically non-paid.
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Eligibility requirements:
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Hold a bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited institution.
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Minimum overall 2.75 GPA or 2.75 GPA from your last 60 attempted semester credit hours.
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12 college credit hours in your chosen certification area or a passing score on the TX PACT exam.
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- Create a Texas Education Agency Login (TEAL) account to obtain a TEA number (TEA#).
- Completion of the Lone Star College Continuing Education application.
- Submit official college transcripts reflecting a bachelor’s degree or higher and from all colleges/universities previously attended.
- International degrees require a course-by-course transcript evaluation.
- TOEFL scores within the High-Intermediate range (if required).
- Completion of the ATCP application. ?LSC EPP - ATCP Admissions Process.pdf
- 1 Page Essay - Teaching Philosophy: “Why I Want To Be a Teacher”
- Complete an interview questionnaire.
- Must attend a new student orientation session
Now accepting applications. Fall 2026 application deadline is July 30, 2026. Please email atcp@lonestar.edu for more information.
Background Check Requirement and Preliminary Criminal History Evaluation:
Candidates may be required to complete a criminal history background check at different points in the program and certification process, including:
- Before field-based experiences, observations, or other school-based activities
According to H.B. 1498 (TEC §21.917), Texas school districts will conduct a Criminal Background Check (CBC) to obtain criminal history information on every employee, candidate for employment, and observer at schools. - Before clinical teaching or employment as an educator
To obtain teacher certification in the state of Texas, candidates must undergo a criminal history background check prior to being employed as an educator (TEC §22.083) or prior to clinical teaching (TEC §22.0835). - When applying for certification
The State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) will also run a fingerprint check when a candidate requests probationary, intern, or standard certification.
A criminal history may disqualify a candidate from participating or being employed in a school district or from being issued a certificate by SBEC, even if accepted into an Educator Preparation Program (EPP). If you have concerns about your ability to work as a teacher in Texas due to this requirement, you have the right to request a Preliminary Criminal History Evaluation (PCHE) from the Texas Education Agency (TEA) to determine if your criminal history might prevent you from earning certification before enrolling in the program or taking certification exams. This evaluation is voluntary and nonbinding.
For more information, please visit the Texas Education Agency PCHE webpage.
LSC - ATCP Complaint Policy
Candidates can file a complaint with the Lone Star College ATCP by using the LSC - ATCP Complaint Form. Your form will be routed to the appropriate administrator and you will be contacted. Please allow 48-72 hours for a reply. If your complaint pertains to a course and you have not contacted your professor, please do so before submitting this request. General Lone Star College complaints can also be filed through the student complaints page if necessary.
Information about filing a complaint with the Texas Education Agency (TEA) can be found on the TEA Complaint Website.