PACE information/application packet

MASTER OF ARTS IN TEACHING
PANHANDLE ALTERNATIVE CERTIFICATION FOR EDUCATORS
The MASTER OF ARTS IN TEACHING/PANHANDLE ALTERNATIVE CERTIFICATION FOR EDUCATORS (MAT/PACE)
program is a university-based teacher certification program for bachelor-degreed individuals who
want to make a career transition into the teaching profession. The program, which ultimately
culminates in Texas educator certification and an advanced degree, begins with testing, early fieldbased experiences, and online graduate course work. An eligible candidate may be employed as a
Texas teacher or may complete clinical teaching under the supervision of an experienced teacher.
APPLICATION/ADMISSION PROCESS
Step I—PACT testing and application: Determine the content/grade level of the target certificate
and take the applicable Texas Examination of Educator Standards (TExES) prior to program
application, if possible, through the Pre-Admission Content Testing system. Submit the TExES score
report (or a copy of the ticket confirming test registration) with the PACE application, $50 fee, two
passport photos, and sealed certified transcripts. Once transcripts have been evaluated, applicants
will be notified of program approval status.
Step 2—Admission to Graduate School: Upon notification of program pre-approval, apply to
WT’s Graduate School to begin professional development course work during the fall, spring, or
summer semesters. Submit complete the online interview, and upon completion of 30 clock hours
of field-based experiences, submit the Field Experience Reflection Survey.
Step 3—Candidate status: Request a letter confirming eligibility to teach on a probationary
certificate when these conditions are met: submission of a passing score on the content exam,
documentation of thirty (30) hours of early field-based experiences, and registration into or
completion of at least six (6) semester-credit hours of course work. Upon receiving the eligibility
letter, apply for teaching positions (internship).
Step 4—Intern/Clinical Teaching: Complete supervised teaching through (1) internship, hired
as a teacher in a TEA-accredited public school or a TEA-recognized private school; or (2) clinical
teaching, a 12-14 week unpaid experience in the classroom of a certified teacher.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Minimum Requirements for Pre-Approved Applicant Status
The following requirements apply to all applicants:
 A bachelor’s degree from a regionally-accredited institution of higher learning, and
 A grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.75 on a 4.0 scale on all college and/or university
course work attempted or on the final 60 hours, and
 A copy of the score report confirming a passing score on the TExES exam or a copy of the
ticket confirming TExES registration, and
 Additional course work requirements specific to the content/grade level of the target
certificate (see Page 3) if the candidate has not passed the content exam.
Transcript Requirements
Applicants with degrees from universities other than WTAMU must submit sealed, certified
transcripts from every college and/or university attended. WT graduates need only to submit
transcripts from colleges and/or universities attended after completion of a degree at WT.
Applicants currently enrolled to complete bachelor’s degree requirements may be granted preapproved status pending graduation. Those individuals may apply during the final semester of
undergraduate enrollment and must submit a letter confirming graduation with the
application. A transcript verifying the degree must be submitted no later than two weeks following
graduation.
Applicants with degrees from universities outside the U.S. must also meet these requirements:
 Gain admission to WT’s graduate school,
 Submit a course-by-course evaluation of their foreign transcripts done by an accredited
foreign credential evaluation service, and
 Confirm evidence of English language proficiency by verification that the primary language
of instruction was English or by providing a minimum score of 26 on the speaking portion
of the TOEFL and satisfactory scores on the remaining sections; see www.ets.org/toefl.
Field-based Experiences Requirements
Texas Administrative Code requires that educator preparation program candidates complete a
minimum of thirty (30) clock hours of field-based experiences prior to internship or clinical
teaching. These experiences may include classroom observations, but must include 15 clock hours
in which the candidate is actively engaged in instructional or educational activities under
supervision. Fifteen (15) of the thirty required hours may be waived for those applicants currently
employed as fulltime teachers or instructional aides and current substitute teachers if approved by
the program director or assistant director. Other public school experience may be considered on a
case-by-case basis if requested upon program application.
The request for field-based experience placement must be submitted with the PACE
application. Field-based experience placements within Amarillo ISD or Canyon ISD will be assigned
through the Office of Teacher Preparation and Advising. A field-based experience placement outside
Amarillo or Canyon ISD may be arranged by the individual candidate upon program pre-approval
by contacting the human resources department of the district.
The Field-based Experiences Packet including specific procedures and documents is available for
download from the “LINKS” folder on the alternative certification website, www.wtamu.edu/altcert.
Upon completion of the field-based experiences requirement, candidates must complete the online
Field-based Experience Reflection Survey also found in the “LINKS” folder on the PACE website.
PACE/MAT Information, Revised 2014FA
p. 2
ADDITIONAL CONTENT COURSE WORK REQUIRED FOR PRE-APPROVAL
Candidates who have not passed the TExES content exam for the target certificate may be pre-approved to
complete no more than 12 semester-credit-hours (SCH) of professional development course work for the
Master of Arts in Teaching. A candidate may not continue beyond 12 SCH without passing the exam unless
content requirements listed below are met.
Elementary (Early Childhood – Grade 6)
EC-6 Generalist or
Core Subjects EC-6
12 SCH in a combination of English, mathematics, science, and
social studies with at least 3 SCH in each area
Middle School (Grades 4-8)
4-8 Generalist or
Core Subjects 4-8
12 SCH each in English and social studies, and 15 SCH each in
mathematics and science
4-8 English Language Arts & Reading
12 SCH of English
4-8 Mathematics
15 SCH of mathematics
4-8 Science
15 SCH of science (life/physical/earth)
4-8 Social Studies
12 SCH of social studies (economics/geography/political science)
EC-6 and 4-8 Generalist exams will not be offered after August 2015. Core Subject exams are available
beginning January 2015 (see ETS website for additional information).
Secondary (Grades 6-12 or 7-12) and All-level (Grades EC-12)
7-12 Single-Subject Areas
12 SCH in English, history, journalism, or speech; 15 SCH in
chemistry, life science, or mathematics
6-12 Agriculture Science & Technology
12 SCH in a combination of agriculture courses
6-12 Business Education
12 SCH in a combination of business courses
6-12 Physical Science
15 SCH each in chemistry and physics
7-12 Physics/Mathematics
15 SCH each in mathematics and physics
7-12 Science
15 SCH each in biology, chemistry, physics, and geology
7-12 Social Studies
12 SCH each in history, political science, economics, and
geography
EC-12 Single-Subject Areas
12 SCH in art, ASL, health, LOTE-French, LOTE-German, LOTELatin, LOTE-Spanish, music, physical education, or theatre
EC-12 Special Education
12 SCH in a combination of English, mathematics, science, and
social studies with at least 3 SCH in each area
Passing the content exam is of utmost importance. Please note:
 An EC-6 or 4-8 candidate is not eligible to teach without passing the appropriate exam.
 A candidate who has not passed the content exam may be eligible to teach grades 7-12 only with a degree
or the equivalent of a major (24 SCH/12 advanced) in the subject. The candidate must have attempted the
exam prior to application and must re-take the exam at every available opportunity.
 A special education candidate is not eligible to teach without passing the special education exam and
another content exam (EC-6 or 4-8 Generalist).
Practice TExES exams for most areas are available through Education Services, (806) 651-2341.
PACE/MAT Information, Revised 2014FA
p. 3
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT COURSE WORK
Professional development course work is required of all candidates, is offered online, and is completed
during the summer, fall, and spring semesters following pre-approval. Course rotation by semester (FA-fall,
SP-spring, or SU-summer) is provided for planning purposes, but is subject to change.
EC-6 Generalist or 4-8 Generalist/Content Areas
EDPD 6332: Theories and Practice in Classroom Management
FA, SP, SU
EDRD 6331: Reading Skills Instruction
FA, SU
EDEL 6334: Integrated Language Arts/Social Studies Methods
FA, SU
EDEL 6335: Integrated Mathematics/Science Methods
FA, SU
EDPD 6331: Foundations and Psychological Principles of Education
FA, SP, SU
EDEC 6384: Curriculum and the Young Child (EC-6) or
EDRD 5386 or 6332: Reading in Content Areas (4-8)
FA, SP
FA, SP, SU
EC-6 Generalist candidates may take an additional 6 SCH as part of the MAT degree and add bilingual or
ESL certification after initial certification:
 EDPD 5378: Language Development
 EDPD 5363: Bilingual Methods or EDPD 5388: ESL Methods
6-12, 8-12, and EC-12 Content Areas
EDPD 6332: Theories and Practice in Classroom Management
FA, SP, SU
EDRD 5386 or 6332: Reading in Content Areas
FA, SP, SU
EDSE 6333: Curriculum Planning and Delivery in Secondary Schools
SU
EPSY 6350: Exceptional Children in the Mainstream of Society
SP, SU
EDPD 6331: Foundations and Psychological Principles of Education
FA, SP, SU
EDT 6300: Educational Technology
FA, SP
EC-12 Special Education
EDSP 6361: Survey of Exceptional Learners
SU
EDSP 6363: Programming for Students with Cognitive Disabilities
SU
EDSP 6365: Understanding Students with LD/ED
SU
EDSP 6367: Advanced Curriculum Adaptation Techniques
SU
EDPD 6331: Foundations and Psychological Principles of Education
FA, SP, SU
EDRD 5386, 6331, or 6332: Elementary or Content Area Reading
FA, SP, SU
Clinical Teaching Option (all areas)
EDPD 6398 and 6399: Graduate Clinical Teaching
FA, SP
Additional Course Work to complete the Master of Arts in Teaching Degree
Upon passing the content exam and completion of 12 SCH of professional development course work, the
candidate may request a MAT Plan of Study which will outline additional requirements for the MAT degree.
PACE/MAT Information, Revised 2014FA
p. 4
MASTER OF ARTS IN TEACHING (MAT) INFORMATION
Individuals in the PACE program are concurrently in the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT)
program. The MAT program will allow PACE candidates to complete requirements for initial
teacher certification, expand their knowledge and skills to support their effectiveness as teachers,
and meet state certificate renewal requirements in their respective fields.
Admission Requirements
 Apply to WT’s PACE program (separate from and prior to graduate school application); see
wtamu.edu/altcert.
 Upon program pre-approval, apply to graduate school using the Grad U.S. Application
(program #5451) and submit the fee, wtamu.edu/admissions/apply_graduate.aspx
MAT Course Work
A total of 36 semester credit hours (SCH) of graded course work—at least 24 hours at the 6000level—is required. Course work includes the following:
 18 SCH of Professional Development course work (candidates completing clinical teaching
will have an additional 6 SCH of pass/fail course work)
 9 SCH from the graduate core in Education
 EDPD 6303, and
 3 SCH from EDPD 6304 or EDPD 6385 or COUN 6330, and
 3 SCH from EDLD 6311 or EDPD 6305 or EDPD 6308 or EDPD 6329
 9 SCH in the applicant’s teaching field as approved by the graduate adviser in the
Department of Education
Degree Completion/Graduation Requirements
 Completion of all course work as outlined on the official MAT Plan of Study
 Completion of testing and supervised teaching experience required for initial Standard
Texas Educator Certificate (candidate must hold a Standard Texas Educator certification
prior to administration of the comprehensive exam), and
 Passing a written comprehensive exam
Other Considerations
 The candidate may request a MAT Plan of Study from the PACE Adviser upon completion of
12 SCH of course work and passing the content test(s) for the target certificate.
 The candidate is not eligible to sit for the comprehensive exam and graduate with the MAT
until standard certification is complete.
 The candidate must maintain a 3.0 GPA (with no grade below a C) on all MAT course work,
and the program must be completed within six (6) years of taking the first graduate course
that applies to the MAT degree.
 The MAT degree will not lead to a professional certificate (counselor, diagnostician, or
principal); if a professional certificate is the goal, contact the OAC for referral to the
appropriate adviser for that program.
PACE/MAT Information, Revised 2014FA
p. 5
PACE PROGRAM COST
These are approximate costs associated with the program:
 $120/certification exam (at least 2 are required of every candidate)*
 $50 non-refundable program application fee
 $40 non-refundable graduate school application fee
 Approximately $1100/course for in-state tuition and fees**
 Textbooks and supplies (varied by course – estimate not provided)
 $52 fee for a probationary certificate and $39.50 for the criminal background check fee*
 $9.95 fee for the digital fingerprinting service*
 $2700 internship supervision fee (paid through school district payroll deduction,
$300/month for 9 months) for those securing teaching positions or
 $1200 clinical teaching supervision fee plus tuition for 6 additional hours for those
choosing to complete through the clinical teaching option
Upon completion of all certification requirements, these are additional costs:
 $77 fee for the Texas Standard Teaching Certificate*
 Tuition/fees for additional course work to complete the MAT degree (optional)
*Exam fees, certificate fees, and fingerprinting fees are set by the Texas Education Agency and are
subject to change.
**Course work will be completed at the graduate level. Amounts are estimates only for Texas and
border county residents; residency status is determined by the Admission’s Office. Tuition and fees are
established by the Texas legislature and are subject to change.
WTAMU-PACE
WT Box 60208
Canyon, TX 79016-0001
Office of Alternative Certification
West Texas A&M University
2501 4th Avenue  Old Main, Room 413
Phone: (806) 651-2599
Fax:
(806) 651-3626
Susan L. Allen, Director
[email protected]
Gilbert Antunez, Asst. Director
[email protected]
Tracy McNutt, Admn. Asst.
[email protected]
www.wtamu.edu/altcert
West Texas A&M University is a Member of the Texas A&M University System. WTAMU serves people of all ages
regardless of socioeconomic level, race, color, sex, religion, disability or national origin. WTAMU is an
affirmative action/equal employment institution.
PACE/MAT Information, Revised 2014FA
p. 6
PANHANDLE ALTERNATIVE CERTIFICATION FOR EDUCATORS
PROGRAM APPLICATION
Priority application deadlines:

April 1 for summer enrollment

July 1 for fall enrollment

November 1 for spring enrollment
Please provide all information requested. Mail the completed application, fee and other required documents to the address on Page 4.
1.
Personal Information
WTID
or SSN:
Date of Birth:
Gender:
(Providing your SSN is not required by a specific legal authority; however, it is used to ensure accurate matching of documents and timely processing.)
Name:
Last
First
MI
Maiden
Street or PO Box
City
State
Zip
Address:
Phone:
Email:
Personal
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Work
Are you a citizen of the United States?
Do you have prior military experience?
Have you ever been charged with a felony or misdemeanor?
Y or N
Y or N
Y or N
Have you previously made application to PACE?
If yes, what year? __________________
Have you participated in or made application to another
alternative certification program?
If yes, what program? ____________________________________________
Y or N
(If yes, please submit an explanation and a complete copy of your
criminal history. Additional documentation may be required.)
Y or N
(If you have participated in another ACP, you must provide a release from that program.)
8.
The following optional information is for
report use only to provide statistical
information requested by various state and
federal agencies.
Ethnicity
 Hispanic or Latino
 Not Hispanic or Latino
Race
 American Indian or Alaska Native
 Asian
 Black or African American
 Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander
 White
Refer to the information packet for specific course work requirements regarding individual teaching areas and
select only one of the certification areas offered. (TExES content exam #)
Elementary, Grades EC-6*
Secondary, Grades 6-12 or 7-12
All-level, Grades EC-12
____Generalist EC-6 (191) or
____Agriculture Science & Technology 6-12 (172)
____Art (178)
____Core Subjects EC-6 (291)
____Business Education 6-12 (176)
____Health (157)
Bilingual or ESL cert may be added after
completion of generalist certification.
____Chemistry 7-12 (240)
____LOTE-French (610)
____Dance 8-12 (179)
____LOTE-German (611)
Middle School, Grades 4-8*
____English Language Arts & Reading 7-12 (231)
____LOTE-Latin (612)
____Generalist 4-8 (111) or
____History 7-12 (233)
____LOTE-Spanish (613)
____Core Subjects 4-8 (211)
____Journalism 7-12 (256)
____Music (177)
____English Language Arts & Reading (117)
____Life Science 7-12 (238)
____Physical Education (158)
____Mathematics (115)
____Mathematics 7-12 (235)
____Special Education (161)
____Science (116)
____Physical Science 6-12 (237)
____Theatre (180)
____Social Studies (118)
____Physics/Mathematics 7-12 (243)
____Mathematics/Science (114)
____Science 7-12 (236)
____ELAR/Social Studies (113)
____Social Studies 7-12 (232)
*EC-6 and 4-8 Generalist exams will not be
offered after 8/2015. Core Subject exams are
available beginning 1/2015 (see ETS website
for additional information).
____Speech 7-12 (129)
9.
List below all community colleges, colleges, and/or universities you have attended.
Institution
Dates Attended
Degree
10. Are you currently enrolled? Y or N
If so, where? ___________________________________________
_____
(Please provide an unofficial transcript or class schedule showing the name of the college or university to verify current enrollment. If you are in
your last semester of undergraduate enrollment, please submit a letter confirming you are on track to graduate at the end of the current semester.)
11. Do you have prior teaching experience? Y or N
If “Yes,” please submit a service record or work record from each district with this application.
12. Are you willing to relocate in order to obtain an employing district? _________ If “No,” what distance in miles (oneway) are you willing to commute daily?
20
30
40
50
60+ miles
13. Choose one option for completion of the supervised teaching experience (you may change your preference later):
 I plan to apply for teaching positions as soon as eligible and complete internship (a paid experience as teacher
of record in a public school or approved private school), or
 I plan to complete Clinical Teaching (an unpaid experience in the classroom and under the supervision of an
experienced teacher)
14. On a separate page, please explain why you have decided to become a teacher. Give the strengths that you will
bring to the classroom. Attach your response to this application.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS & AUTHORIZATIONS
By signing this application, you acknowledge the following:
 The contents of this application are true and correct to the best of your knowledge.
 You must meet the screening requirements for pre-approval to the PACE program and admission to WT’s graduate
school as well as the screening requirements for employment in a district in which you serve your internship.
 A criminal background check including fingerprinting will be performed by the Texas Education Agency as part of
your application for the Probationary Certificate.
 Satisfactory performance in professional development course work, documentation of 30 hours early field
experience, passing the content exam, and eligibility for a probationary certificate are prerequisites for internship
or clinical teaching.
 Meeting the entry requirements does not constitute a guarantee of admission, and preference may be given to
individuals who apply for certification in areas for which a shortage exists.
 Admission to PACE is determined by a comprehensive evaluation of your application.
 Applicants are evaluated by the PACE staff; admission decisions made by the PACE staff are final.
 Providing false or misleading information will constitute grounds for denial of admission or dismissal from the
program.
I certify that answers given herein are true and complete to the best of my knowledge. I authorize investigation of
statements given including a criminal background check. I authorize the PACE Program to provide school districts
and/or administrators with information and/or opinion regarding my fitness for employment, and I authorize the PACE
Program to utilize and/or release any information contained in my student records as part of the response. I also
authorize the PACE Program to include my name, address, and phone number in a database provided to school districts
via mail and/or posted on a password-secured website.
In full and complete consideration for the PACE Program agreeing to respond on my behalf, I forever waive any possible
claims of liability against and covenant not to sue the PACE Program or West Texas A&M University, its officers or
employees for any claim or cause of action which may arise as a result of the requested submission. My signature
indicates understanding and agreement with all of the above acknowledgements and authorizations.
Printed Name
Signature
Date
2014-2015 PACE Application, p. 2
PANHANDLE ALTERNATIVE CERTIFICATION FOR EDUCATORS
Field-Based Experiences Preference Request
Texas Administrative Code (TAC §228.35 and 228.2) requires that educator preparation program candidates
complete a minimum of thirty (30) clock hours of field-based experiences prior to internship or clinical
teaching:
For initial certification, each EPP shall provide field-based experiences, as defined in §228.2 of this title
(relating to Definitions), for a minimum of 30 clock-hours. The field-based experiences must be
completed prior to assignment in an internship or clinical teaching. … Field-based experiences must
include 15 clock-hours in which the candidate, under supervision, is actively engaged in instructional or
educational activities that include:
(A)
authentic school settings in a public school accredited by the TEA or other school approved
by the TEA for this purpose;
(B)
instruction by content certified teachers;
(C)
actual students in classrooms/instructional settings with identity-proof provisions;
(D)
content or grade-level specific classrooms/instructional settings; and
(E)
reflection of the observation.
There are two reasons for this requirement:
 School society is ever changing. Each applicant needs to experience the present-day school
atmosphere before making a final commitment to teaching.
 The applicant can gain valuable information from the observation and interactive experiences.
This experience provides you with the opportunity to participate in an instructional setting similar to that in
which you intend to be employed. It also allows for observation and evaluation by a practicing teacher, which
will assist this office in assessing your potential to be a successful teacher.
Please indicate your preference for placement to complete the field-based experiences requirement during
the semester indicated. Requests for Amarillo or Canyon ISD must be received by the first day of the semester
requested and are assigned based upon district and campus availability.
Name
WT ID or last 4 digits of SSN
Email
Phone
Certification Area/Grade Level
Semester Requested
 Fall
 Spring
Year
Please indicate the district where you request placement to complete early field-based experiences:
 Amarillo
 Canyon
 Other______________________________
Program Approval
Date
Signature of Program Director
2014-2015 PACE Application, p. 3
APPLICATION CHECKLIST
Please mail or deliver or mail the application, fee, and required documents to the address below. Use this
checklist to submit a complete application packet:
 completed application, including attached paragraph (see #14)
 TExES score report or ticket confirming test registration
 school district service records or work records (if applicable)
 $50 PACE application fee
 field-based experiences preference
 two passport photos (We do not want a copy of your passport; please submit two current
passport photos, which are available for a nominal cost at Walgreen’s or Wal-Mart.)
 sealed, certified transcripts (for WT graduates, include only transcripts from institutions
attended after graduation from WT)
Incomplete applications with be placed in a “hold” file until all required documents are submitted;
after 90 days, incomplete applications will be destroyed.
Mailing address:
Location:
WTAMU-PACE
WT Box 60208
Canyon, TX 79016-0001
Office of Alternative Certification
West Texas A&M University
2501 4th Avenue  Old Main, Room 413
Phone: (806) 651-2599
Fax: (806) 651-3626
Susan L. Allen, Director
[email protected]
Gilbert Antunez, Asst. Director
[email protected]
Tracy McNutt, Admn. Asst.
[email protected]
www.wtamu.edu/altcert
With few exceptions, state law gives you the right to request, receive, review, and correct information about yourself collected by this
form. West Texas A&M University is a Member of the Texas A&M University System. WTAMU serves people of all ages regardless of
socioeconomic level, race, color, sex, religion, disability or national origin. WTAMU is an affirmative action/equal employment
institution.
2014-2015 PACE Application, p. 4