Alternative Certification Program Online
If you have a bachelor’s degree in any field, this online certification program will prepare you to become a qualified teacher in Texas through accelerated online coursework and in-person learning experiences.
Program Overview
Our 100% online alternative teacher certification at a glance
Meet the rising demand for teachers when you complete your Alternative Certification Program online from Lamar University. Whether you currently work in a school setting or are switching career paths, this high-value online program provides you with marketable teaching credentials for an affordable tuition. Plus, prepare to sit for the Texas educator certification exam.
Develop your ability to instruct, assess and encourage students with a university recognized for producing top-tier educators. Tailor your in-person student teaching placement to your needs when you choose between a 14-week clinical experience or a one-year paid internship. Both opportunities enable you to expand your professional network within Texas school districts.
In this Alternative Certification Program, you will:
- Understand the importance of creating a learning environment in which diversity and individual differences are respected
- Examine the impact of teacher-student interactions, interactions among students on classroom climate and student learning and development, and ways to establish a positive classroom climate that fosters active engagement in learning among students
- Realize the importance of communicating enthusiasm for learning and the necessity of communicating teacher expectations for student learning
- Acquire knowledge of instructional design principles and theories and will apply this knowledge to plan and develop curriculum, deliver instruction and design assessments
- Design units of instruction and lesson plans in an organized fashion, design instruction and assessment for K-12 classes that include exceptional students and diverse populations, and use effective teaching strategies and technology
- Learn how to design instruction appropriate for all students that reflects an understanding of relevant content and is based on continuous and appropriate assessment
- Promote student learning by providing responsive instruction that makes use of effective communication techniques, instructional strategies that actively engage students in the learning process and timely, high-quality feedback
- Understand the importance of creating a learning environment in which diversity and individual differences are respected
- Examine the impact of teacher-student interactions, interactions among students on classroom climate and student learning and development, and ways to establish a positive classroom climate that fosters active engagement in learning among students
- Realize the importance of communicating enthusiasm for learning and the necessity of communicating teacher expectations for student learning
- Acquire knowledge of instructional design principles and theories and will apply this knowledge to plan and develop curriculum, deliver instruction and design assessments
- Design units of instruction and lesson plans in an organized fashion, design instruction and assessment for K-12 classes that include exceptional students and diverse populations, and use effective teaching strategies and technology
- Learn how to design instruction appropriate for all students that reflects an understanding of relevant content and is based on continuous and appropriate assessment
- Promote student learning by providing responsive instruction that makes use of effective communication techniques, instructional strategies that actively engage students in the learning process and timely, high-quality feedback
Also available:
Earn a master's degree quickly and affordably by applying ACP credit hours toward an M.A. in Teaching online. Or learn about our other online education programs.
*Price includes distance learning fee.
Tuition
Stay on budget with affordable tuition
The following is the tuition breakdown for students pursuing the online Alternative Certification Program. Our tuition is affordable and can be paid by the course.
| Program | Per Credit Hour | Per Course | Per Program* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alternative Certification Program | $342 | $1,026 | $7,182 |
*University fees are included in the tuition listed. University fees are able to be covered by Financial Aid if you choose to apply and are qualified.
Tuition and fees are subject to change without notice due to action by the Board of Regents or the Texas State Legislature.
Tuition breakdown:
Calendar
View key dates and deadlines
Our online Alternative Teacher Certification Program is renowned in Texas and features multiple start dates to accommodate your busy schedule. Find the start date that works best for you and apply before the application deadline associated with it.
| 8 week courses | Program Start Date | Application Deadline | Document Deadline | Payment Due | Last Class Day |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring I | 1/16/25 | 12/26/24 | 1/2/25 | 1/9/25 | 3/7/25 |
| Spring II | 3/17/25 | 2/24/25 | 3/3/25 | 3/10/25 | 5/7/25 |
| Summer I | 5/29/25 | 5/8/25 | 5/15/25 | 5/20/25 | 7/31/25 |
| Fall 1 | 8/21/25 | 7/31/25 | 8/7/25 | 8/15/25 | 9/17/25 |
| Fall 2 | 10/13/25 | 9/22/25 | 9/15/25 | 10/9/25 | 12/10/25 |
Now enrolling:
Have questions or need more information about our online programs?
Ready to take the rewarding path toward earning your certification online?
Admissions
Review the requirements for your online alternative teacher certification program
The Alternative Certification Program online has specific requirements that applicants must meet to enroll. Please read the admission guidelines to ensure you qualify.
Admission Requirements:
- Online Application
- Bachelor’s Degree
- Minimum 2.75 Undergraduate GPA
University Admission Requirements
- Online Application & Fee: University requirements will be assessed by the online application through ApplyTexas.org. There is a one-time application fee of $25.
- Transcripts: Official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended*
- Bachelor’s Degree: A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in any academic area/discipline is required.
- U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident
- Conferred degree GPAs will be used for admission purposes.
- Applicants with a GPA below 2.75 in the conferred bachelor’s degree will be denied admission.
- Applicants with a conferred master’s degree with a 3.0 GPA will be accepted with a passing score on the appropriate PACT exam.
- Apply and be accepted to the Alternative Certification Program
- Pass the appropriate Certify Teacher or PACT exam, as required by an advisor per TEA guidelines
Achieve Your Goal to Become a Certified Teacher in 3 Steps!
The Alternative Certification Program (ACP) offered online through Lamar University prepares students to be effective, certified Texas teachers. Candidates who are accepted into the program must (A) complete all coursework online, (B) pass appropriate TExES certification exams in their desired teaching area, (C) successfully complete a yearlong, paid internship or a 14-week clinical experience and (D) complete all TEA-required trainings during internship courses.
Requirements Following Entry Into the Alternative Certification Program:
Step 1:
- Be successfully admitted to the online ACP (see above for admission requirement details)
Step 2:
- Complete required online coursework
- Sit for and pass required TExES content exams
- Complete 30 hours of TEA classroom observations
Note: These first three items must be completed prior to applying for a teaching position or for clinical teaching.
- Obtain teaching position with a TEA-accredited school
- Notify Lamar University’s Educator Preparation Program (EPP) of employment offer
- Apply through LU and TEA for a one-year intern certificate or a 14-week clinical experience
- Contact your advisor to enroll in the internship course(s)
Step 3:
- Pass the Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities (PPR) TExES exam
- Successfully complete internship
- Apply through Lamar University and TEA for standard certification
- Celebrate your achievement—you’re a certified teacher in the state of Texas!
Send transcripts to:
Lamar University Online Admissions
P.O. Box 10017
Beaumont, Texas 77710
OR
Submit electronically to [email protected]
*All applicants must submit official transcript(s) indicating: 1) The conferred bachelor's or master's degree as required for the program of application from a regionally accredited US institution or its equivalent. 2) The transcript of the most recent attendance if it differs from the institution of the conferred degree. This requirement applies regardless of the length of time in attendance and regardless of whether credit was earned or is desired. However, if a department or program wishes to review additional transcripts from prior attendance for decision purposes, the department or program may directly request the applicant to submit the official transcript(s) to the Office of Admissions for processing. Students must be eligible to re-enter all colleges and universities previously attended. Failure to disclose previous college attendance is justification for revocation of acceptance and dismissal from Lamar University.
Courses
Find out what you will study in your Alternative Certification Program online
This online Alternative Certification Program consists of 18 or 21 hours of coursework depending on your choice between a 14-week clinical experience or a one-year paid internship. Courses are offered on a rotational basis.
Students will be required to take 5387 or 5375.
