Alternative Certification

An alternative route to receiving a Texas teaching certificate is offered to candidates who have completed a Bachelor’s and/or Master’s degree from an accredited university with a GPA of 2.7 or better, in a field other than teacher certification. The Alternative Certification program is a 0-credit certification only program. The total cost is $5,000 with a $500 down payment required, and can then be paid off on a monthly basis.

Candidates must complete the following to progress through the Alternative Certification program, in the order listed below:

1. Take and pass the appropriate certification exam(s) per Texas Education Agency; candidates must work with the Dean of Education’s office to ensure the Don A Williams School of Education can recommend the teacher certification sought. Teacher Certifications that the Don A. Williams School of Education may currently recommend include:

Elementary Education:

• Elementary Education Certification - Interdisciplinary Studies - Elementary Education (grades EC-6)
• Elementary Education Certification - Interdisciplinary Studies - Elementary Education (grades EC-6) with specialization in ESL
• Elementary Education Certification - Interdisciplinary Studies - Elementary Education (grades EC-6) with minor in Family Ministry
• Interdisciplinary Studies in Elementary Education (grades EC-6) with All-Level Certification - Special Education (grades EC-12)

Middle Grades Education:

• Middle School Certification - Interdisciplinary Studies - Core Subjects (grades 4-8)
• Middle School Certification - Interdisciplinary Studies - Language Arts (grades 4-8)
• Middle School Certification - Interdisciplinary Studies - Mathematics (grades 4-8)
• Middle School Certification - Interdisciplinary Studies - Science (grades 4-8)
• Middle School Certification - Interdisciplinary Studies - Social Studies (grades 4-8)

Secondary Education:

• Chemistry and Physical Science Education (grades 7-12), B.S.
• English/Language Arts (grades 7-12), B.A.
• History (grades 7-12), B.A./History (grades 7-12), B.S.
• Life Science (grades 7-12), B.S.
• Mathematics (grades 7-12), B.S.
• Social Studies Composite (grades 7-12), B.A./Social Studies Composite (grades 7-12), B.S.

All-Level Certification:

• Choral Music Education (grades EC-12), B.M.
• Spanish (grades EC-12), B.A.
• Exercise and Sport Science (grades EC-12), B.S.
• Exercise and Sport Science (grades EC-12) with Coaching Specialization, B.S.

2. Apply and be accepted for admission to the Wayland Baptist University Graduate School
3. Be accepted into the Wayland Plainview campus Teacher Education Committee (TEC)
4. Complete a Clinical Internship application.
5. Have the designated school district where will be employed complete a TEA Eligibility Form.
6. Work with the School of Education to complete a Deficiency Plan.
7. Complete 30 hours of field experience in a TEA-accredited school (15 hours of which can be TEA-approved video)
8. Complete TEA-required trainings and pay the $55 TEA fee
9. After admitted into the WBU Plainview TEC, be recommended for Internship Certificate
10. Complete 150 hours of instruction, while working as an intern/classroom teacher for a minimum of one year
11. Complete/pass the edTPA/portfolio-based pedagogy assessment. Cost of $318 paid directly by candidates to Pearson at time of submission.
12. Pass the appropriate TExES content exam
13. Be recommended/approved to/by the Teacher Education Committee (TEC) for initial certification/teaching
14. Be recommended to the Texas Education Agency (TEA) for initial certification/teaching
15. Eligible for full-time employment as a teacher