ACT-Houston
Houston 832-200-0552
Dallas 214-267-2222Austin 1-877-286-0024
Alternative Certification for Teachers
Program Fees
After you have met with us to determine your eligibility, you will want to plan ahead for these fees:
Application Fee - $75.00
This non-refundable fee is not charged until after you have personally met with us and we have determined your eligibility to participate in the program. You will want to download an Application from the "Application" link and bring it to your appointment. Be sure to print the discount coupon too! Once eligible, we will provide you with a Letter of Approval allowing you to plan the next steps in becoming a certified teacher.
Preparation Program Institute Fee - $750.00 NOW $600 !!!
This fee must be paid prior to the start of the Institute in which you will enroll. It includes all books, materials, TExES test preps, interview workshops, etc. There are no hidden or extra fees with ACT Houston! Financial aid may also be provided through the VA, Troops to Teachers, and College Access Loans. Scroll down for information.
Upon completing the Preparation Program Institute, it is now up to you! Choose the route to teacher certification that best fits your needs:
Internship OR Clinical Teaching
- Internship Fee - NOW $3,600 Pay up front and receive a $300 discount!
Enter the teaching profession as a full-salaried teacher of record to complete your two-semester internship. You are not responsible for this big fee until you have secured a teaching position, signed a teaching contract, and are earning a teacher’s salary. At that time, we will work with your school or school district to have this fee payroll-deducted throughout your two-semester internship. Many, but not all school districts allow for payroll deduction.
OR
- Clinical Teaching Fee - $3,000
For those selecting the Clinical Teaching route, you will be placed in a school by ACT Houston for your 14-week clinical teaching practicum. You will receive guidance and support from an ACT Houston Field Supervisor, while spending each day in the classroom with a certified teacher who is dedicated to your success in receiving a Standard Teaching Certificate at the end of the 14-week clinical teaching assignment.
The fees above are all that you will pay to ACT Houston.
IMPORTANT NOTE REGARDING INTERNSHIP / CLINICAL TEACHING PRACTICUM FEE: No matter when you complete the steps prior to Internship or the Clinical Teaching Practicum, your Internship or Clinical Teaching Fee will be the fee that is in place at the time when you start Internship or Clinical Teaching Practicum.
There are other fees for Texas teacher certification. These include:
Fees paid to Educational Testing Service (ETS)
$120.00 TExES Content Exam
ACT Houston guides you in selecting the appropriate certification area and thoroughly prepares you for the TExES Content Exam required for your certification area. ACT Houston helps you plan when to take this exam in order to have the most opportunities for securing a teaching position. In many cases, it is taken as early as possible, to ensure that you are considered "Highly Qualified", according to No Child Left Behind. Many of the TExES Content Exams are now available at any time on computer, called CAT (Computer Administered Test). Others are only available on state testing days as paper-based tests (PBT). Some certification areas such as EC-6 & 4-8 Bilingual Generalist and LOTE (Languages Other Than English) require additional tests.
$120.00 TExES Pedagogy & Professional Responsibility (PPR) Exam
This exam over the art and science of teaching is usually taken after your TExES Content Exam. As always, ACT Houston provides thorough test preps for this test. The PPR Exam is available on computer (CAT) at any time.
Remember that both the TExES Content and PPR exams are required for completion of your certification requirements and the ACT Houston program.
Fees paid to the Texas State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC)
$52.00 for your Probationary Certificate
All beginning teachers in Texas must hold a Probationary Certificate in order to step into the classroom. Once you sign your teaching contract, you will apply and pay online for your Probationary Certificate that is valid for your two-semester internship. This is not required for Clinical Teachers.
$51.25 (+ $9.95 digital print) for your Fingerprint Fee
Before beginning to teach, interns and clinical teachers must be fingerprinted and undergo background checks. This fee and service are handled by SBEC.
$77.00 for your Standard Certificate
Upon successful completion of the two-semester Internship / 14-week Clinical Teaching Practicum, you are ready to apply and pay online for your Standard Certificate. Congratulations! You have reached your goal and are now fully certified to teach anywhere in the state of Texas.
Please note that in rare cases, Interns may not complete the state and/or ACT Houston program requirements during their internship. In this situation, interns are required to secure an additional one-year Probationary Certificate ($52) and also will be charged a processing/service fee by ACT Houston during this extra year. This is rare! In most cases, ACT Houston participants successfully the program and obtain their Standard Teaching Certificate within a year.
Looking for Financial Aid ?
As a private alternative certification, ACT Houston has limited sources for offering financial aid. However, please consider the following:
COLLEGE ACCESS LOAN through the Hinson Hazlewood Act.
For complete information & application: www.hhloans.com/borrowers/calfactsheet.cfm Prior to applying for the College Access Loan, you must be approved for the ACT Houston/Dallas/Austin program and have paid your application fee.
Then contact Dr. Bobette Dunn at 214-267-2222 or 1-877-286-0024 for loan certification.
STUDENT LOAN FORGIVENESS for Federal Stafford Loans
You may qualify for $17,500 in loan forgiveness. For complete details: http://www.staffordloan.com/repayment/federal-student-loan-forgiveness.php
MILITARY – Are you in the military or have been in the military? Are you the spouse of a military person? You can use your VETERANS BENEFITS or POST 9/11 BENEFITS for the ACT Houston program
For information call: 1-888-GI BILL 1 (1-888-442-4551)
Or you may qualify for the TROOPS TO TEACHERS program.
For information call: 1-800-810-5484 or visit: www.texastroopstoteachers.org
We regret that MyCAA for spouses of military is no longer available!
Spouses of military previously could receive funding (up to $6,000) for the ACT Houston program through MyCAA (Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts) Program. www.militaryonesource.com/MOS/FindInformation/Category/MilitarySpouseCareerAdvancementAccounts.aspx