Alternative Certification Program
The VOICE program is an accelerated university-based route to teacher certification for all grades designed to meet the requirements of “Every Student Succeeds Act.” Coursework is offered online, and candidates participate in a school-based field experience with university supervision.
Texas teacher initial certifications areas include:
- Core Subjects - Early Childhood through Grade 6
- Core Subjects - Grades 4 through 8
- Secondary Grades 7 through 12 in one of the following: History, Science, Life Science, Math, English Language Arts
- Physical Education - Early Childhood through Grade 12
- Special Education - Early Childhood through Grade 12
- Spanish Education - Early Childhood through Grade 12
Texas teacher supplemental certification areas include:
- English as a Second Language Early Childhood through Grade 12.
VOICE candidates may choose to pursue certification only or with faculty advisor approval, VOICE candidates may use up to 12 hours of VOICE courses (CUIN 6312 , CUIN 6314 , or CUIN 6320 and another CUIN graduate course towards M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction.
VOICE master’s degree with teacher certification choices are:
- Elementary Education Early Childhood through Grade Eight with Teacher Certification
- Higher Education and Secondary Education with Teacher Certification
- English as a Second Language/Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESL/TESOL)
- Early Childhood Education with Teacher Certification
- Education Technology with Teacher Certification
- Special Education with Teacher Certification
Admission to VOICE
To be admitted into this program, applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or evaluation of international degree showing the equivalent
- GPA of 2.50 in last 60 hours of college work or cumulative GPA of 2.50; GPA 2.5 in 6 hours in English Composition; and GPA 2.5 in courses that apply to teacher certification area
- Letter of standing for those who previously participated in an Educator Prep Program (EPP) Student must be in good standing with EPP to be admitted to VOICE
- Acceptance to Texas A&M University-Victoria graduate program
- Satisfactory criminal history background check
- Evaluated transcript of an international degree, if applicable
- Texas Education Agency-allowable scores on TOEFL-iBT scores if an international undergraduate or graduate degree is from outside the State Board of Education-approved list of countries
- Interview with A&M-Victoria Education Program Faculty
There is a non-refundable $65 service charge to apply for this program. Due dates for applications are the same as the university’s application dates. Applications received after the due date are charged an extra $100 late fee. Late application due dates correspond with A&M-Victoria application due dates.
Academic Standards
To remain in the VOICE Program, students must maintain a 3.0 GPA in the VOICE program with no more than two “C’s” to be retained in the program. Graduate course program requirements apply. Any grade lower than a “C” must be repeated.
- All Teacher Certification candidates must pass all A&M-Victoria courses required for teacher certification with a “C” or better after June 1, 2008.
- According to Texas Administrative Code 228.35, teacher candidates must complete field-based experiences in diverse school settings before beginning internships, clinical teaching, or residency. These experiences require at least 50 clock hours, with a minimum of 25 hours involving active engagement in instructional activities such as small group instruction, tutoring, classroom management, and co-teaching. These activities must take place in TEA-accredited schools with certified teachers and actual students, and candidates must submit written reflections guided by the EPP. Up to 25 hours may be completed through alternative methods, including video-based instruction or service as a teacher of record or instructional aide, provided they occur in accredited school settings. Additionally, VOICE (alternative certification) candidates only may fulfill up to 15 hours through long-term substitute teaching within two years of or after admission to an EPP. Long-term substituting hours (30 days or more), if provided to the EPP, may count as “active engagement” in instructional activities.
- According to Texas Administrative Code 228.35 - candidate must complete 150 clock hours of training prior to clinical teaching or internship. Completion of 4 VOICE courses will fulfill this requirement.
- Just prior to starting the internship option, students must pass their content-area exam(s). Candidates pursuing certification in EC-6 or Grades 4 - 8, must also take the TExES Science of Teaching Reading exam (#293) as well as content-area exams before residency or internship.
- Just prior to starting the residency option, students must pass their core subjects/content area exam.
- Candidates who choose the internship option and wish to be hired in a district that requires ESL certification of its teachers, those candidates must also take two specified ESLN courses on their certification plan before taking and passing the ESL Supplementary certification.
VOICE Course Rotation - please see this webpage for course rotation.
