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.
- Completion of the Lone Star College CE application.
- Completion of the ATCP application (link will be provided).
- Official college transcripts reflecting a bachelor’s degree or higher.
- International degrees require a course-by-course transcript evaluation.
- Minimum overall 2.75 GPA or 2.75 GPA from your last 60 semester credit hours.
- 12 college credit hours in your chosen certification area or a passing score on the TX PACT exam.
- TOEFL scores within the High-Intermediate range (if required).
- Resume
- 1 Page Essay - Teaching Philosophy: “Why I Want To Be a Teacher”
- 3 Professional References
- Must attend a new student orientation session.
- The application is now open and the deadline to apply is August 15, 2025. Please email atcp@lonestar.edu for more information.
Required Criminal Background Check
To obtain a teacher certification in the state of Texas, candidates must undergo a criminal history background check prior to being employed as an educator or prior to clinical teaching. According to H.B. 1498 (TEC21.917), Texas school districts will run a Criminal Background Check (CBC) to obtain criminal history information on every employee, candidate for employment, and observer at schools. The State Board for Educator Certification will also run a fingerprint check when you request probationary, intern, or standard certification.
A criminal history may disqualify your participation in a school district regardless of your acceptance into the Teacher Certification Program. If you have concerns about your ability to work as a Teacher in Texas due to this requirement, you can request a preliminary criminal history background check through the Texas Education Agency prior to enrolling in the program. For more information, please visit the Texas Education Agency 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.