Frequently Asked Questions
- How is the TLU Post-baccalaureate Teacher Certification Program different from the traditional method of preparing teachers?
- Is the Texas Lutheran University Post-baccalaureate Teacher Certification Program fully accredited?
- What are the requirements for admission to the Texas Lutheran University Post-baccalaureate Teacher Certification Program?
- What if I enter the program and cannot locate an employing school district?
- Will TLU place interns with school districts?
- What are the costs for the TLU Post-baccalaureate Teacher Certification Program?
- WilI I receive some type of certification to allow me to be the teacher of record while I am an intern?
- During the internship, am I paid a salary?
- Will I be subject to rules and regulations of the school district where I am employed?
- Who supervises the Post-baccalaureate Teacher Certification Program intern while in residence at the school district?
- Is there financial aid available for this program?
- Will the program require much of a time commitment?
Q: How is the TLU Post-baccalaureate Teacher Certification Program different from the traditional method of preparing teachers? A: The State Board of Educator Certification (SBEC) has authorized Texas Lutheran University to offer Post-baccalaureate Teacher Certification Program as an accelerated teacher preparation program. Through this program, if you already have a college degree, you have the opportunity, in most cases, to obtain teacher certification within one year. In a typical traditional teacher preparation program, an individual with a degree must take 30 to 60 additional semester hours to receive certification.
Back to top Q: Is the Texas Lutheran University Post-baccalaureate Teacher Certification Program fully accredited? A: Yes, the TLU Post-baccalaureate Teacher Certification Program is fully accredited by the State Board of Education Certification and meets the U.S. Department of Education rule 34 CFR §200.56(a)(2)(ii) concerning criteria for an acceptable alternative route to teacher certification under No Child Left Behind (NCLB).
Back to top Q: What are the requirements for admission to the TLU Post-baccalaureate Teacher Certification Program? A: The program admission requirements are listed below.
- Hold at least a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher learning with an overall grade point average of at least 2.50 (on a 4.0 scale)
- Submit official transcripts from every college/university attended
- Submit a $50 non-refundable filing fee with an admissions application for the Post-baccalaureate Teacher Certification Program
- Complete the application package for admission to Texas Lutheran University and the Post-baccalaureate Teacher Certification Program
- Successfully participate in a structured interview with Post-baccalaureate Teacher Certification Program staff (TLU faculty/school district personnel)
Additional Entry Requirements Depending on the desired area of certification, applicants must document that they have met the coursework requirements outlined below. Applicants who do not meet these requirements will need to take "deficiency" courses before they can secure an internship position.
Secondary Education, 8-12 - Have completed 24 or more semester hours in one subject area (12 advanced hours) with a minimum grade point average of 2.5
- Secondary areas include: Art, English Language Arts and Reading, History, Life Science, Math, Music, Physical Education, Physical Science, Science (Composite), Spanish, Speech Communication, and Social Studies.
EC-4 Generalist - Have completed 24 semester hours with a minimum grade point average of 2.5 in a combination of Math, English Language Arts, Science and Social Studies (minimum 3 each)
Generalist, 4-8 - Have completed 24 semester hours with a minimum grade point average of 2.5 in a combination of Math, English, Science and Social Studies (minimum 3 each)
English Language Arts and Reading, 4-8 - Have completed 24 semester hours with a minimum grade point average of 2.5 in a combination of Math, English, Science and Social Studies (minimum 3 each)
- Have completed 18 hours of English (6 advanced hours) with a minimum grade point average of 2.5
Social Studies, 4-8 - Have completed 24 semester hours with a minimum grade point average of 2.5 in a combination of Math, English, Science and Social Studies (minimum 3 hours each)
- Have completed 18 hours of social studies (6 advanced hours) including at least 12 hours of history and 6 hours in any combination of economics, geography, and political science with a minimum grade point average of 2.5
Mathematics/Science 4-8 - Have completed 24 semester hours with a minimum grade point average of 2.5 in a combination of Math, English, Science and Social Studies (minimum 3 hours each)
- Have completed 18 hours of mathematics (6 advanced hours) including college algebra and geometry with a minimum grade point average of 2.5
- Have completed 18 hours of life/physical/earth science (6 advanced hours) with a minimum grade point average of 2.5
Back to top Q: What if I enter the program and cannot locate an employing school district? A: The TLU Post-baccalaureate Teacher Certification Program will continue to work with the student to accomplish placement. The student may complete a semester of student teaching (without pay for services) or may complete a paid internship in the second year after completion of all Post-baccalaureate Teacher Certification Program professional development coursework.
Back to top Q: Will TLU place interns with school districts? A: No. After acceptance into the TLU Post-baccalaureate Teacher Certification Program, each applicant is responsible for securing his/her own employment in a public school district, charter school or private school accredited by the Texas Education Agency. However, Region XIII ESC and Region XIII often have information relating to vacancies in school districts. Prospective interns are also encouraged to make direct contact with local school districts. Most districts maintain a personnel information section on their Web site. TLU faculty and staff will certainly provide any information available on local school districts and contacts.
Back to top Q: What are the costs for the TLU Post-baccalaureate Teacher Certification Program? A: The costs for the TLU ACP and related costs are as follows:
- $50 non-refundable fee for application to the TLU Post-baccalaureate Alternative Teacher Certification Program
- Costs for books and other educational expenses
- For the 2009-2010 school year, the cost per semester hour will be $315.
- Some students may require additional courses in the content areas for certification.
- $9.95 for fingerprinting
- $52 fee for a probationary certificate
- $77 fee for a Standard Texas Teaching Certificate (upon completion of all obligations and courses)
- $120 for each TExES test (PPR and Content Area Tests)
Back to top Q: WilI I receive some type of certification to allow me to be the teacher of record while I am an intern? A: Yes, the TLU Certification Officer will assist you and the school district in obtaining a probationary certificate that will allow you to be the teacher of record and teach a full load. This probationary certificate can be renewed up to two additional years.
Back to top Q: During the internship, am I paid a salary? A: Yes. Once accepted into the Post-baccalaureate Teacher Certification Program and hired by a school district, the intern is paid the regular first-year teacher’s salary. As with any employment, it is the employee’s (intern’s) responsibility to inquire with the employing school district as to the salary and benefits of the position. Interns are considered a teacher of record and subject to all rules and responsibilities as an employee of the school district and outlined in the school board policy.
Back to top Q: Will I be subject to rules and regulations of the school district where I am employed? A: Yes. A condition of the program requires participants (interns) to conform to rules and regulations of the school district in all matters related to teaching performance and professional conduct.
Back to top Q: Who supervises the Post-baccalaureate Teacher Certification Program intern while in residence at the school district? A: The intern will be under the direct, ongoing, and shared supervision of the building principal (or designate), the mentor teacher, the TLU supervisor, and other personnel from the district and/or the University who may be called upon for assistance.
Back to top Q: Is there financial aid available for this program? A: Yes.
If you enroll in a program through the Center for Professional Development for academic university credit, you may be eligible for a student loan through Texas Lutheran University. In most cases, the amount that the student can borrow includes the cost of the courses plus books and fees. For example, there are two loan programs available to Post-baccalaureate Teacher Certification Program students through TLU: Federal Stafford Loan and Sallie Mae Signature Loan. For information about these program, go to Financial Aid - Loans for Post-baccalaureate Teacher Certification Program.
Back to top Q: Will the program require much of a time commitment? A: Yes. The Post-baccalaureate Teacher Certification Program is an intense, high quality program. In addition to the coursework at TLU, interns will be expected to continue their own professional development with the assistance of the mentor teacher and the University supervisor.
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