Alternative Licensure Program (ALP)

The Alternative Licensure Program (ALP) offers students who already have their bachelor’s degree an option to obtain teacher licensure at the secondary level. The ALP student serves as a resident teacher/learner for an entire school year, having full classroom responsibility, with supervision and assistance by a support team from the University and the district. While the COE will help market ALP candidates, students must obtain their own resident teaching positions. The program emphasizes a commitment to working with at-risk students.

The professional preparation program in ALP is a twelve month program of three semesters: summer, fall, spring. Classes during the summers are held both during the day and evenings. Classes during the fall and spring semesters are held in the evenings and/or Saturdays. All of the classes consist of a combination of professional course work, including foundations of education, educational psychology, curriculum and content methods, classroom management and instruction, and resident teaching. Secondary ALP requires 30 credit hours to complete the licensure portion of the program.

The ALP leads to initial teacher licensure. Course work from the ALP may be used as a part of the Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction. Students who pursue the master’s degree apply 33 credit hours from the ALP course work. The MA degree requires six additional credit hours of Research Methods CURR 5001-3 and a research paper/ project for three hours of credit.

Alternative Licensure Program Admission Requirements

Admission to the Alternative Licensure Program is a selective process. Before applying to enter the ALP, students should attend a group-advising meeting for a full explanation of the program and the admission process.

Prerequisites

• An undergraduate degree
• Ability to meet CDE subject area review requirements

Application Process

• Students must submit the ALP application packet, which includes the standard graduate application process for the COE.
• A complete application includes records (transcripts) of all previous work, a career goals statement, references, and evidence of experience with children and youth.
• Deadline for application: February 1
• Individual interviews are scheduled for applicants during the spring semester.

Admission Criteria

• Past academic record, including a GPA of 2.75.
• Personal commitment and motivation for teaching, ability to adapt quickly to the school setting, and capability of completing a rigorous fast-paced program, as determined by an interview, the career goals statement, and the quality of the candidate’s references.
• Experiences with children and youth.
• Individual interview with a team of professional educators.
• Must complete the GRE or MAT.

ALP Secondary Education Program Requirements

Students planning to work toward secondary teaching licensure (grades 7-12) in English, social studies, science, Spanish, or mathematics, must complete the following requirements:

ALP General Requirements

• Confirmation by the CDE after a transcript review as having the necessary knowledge of the subject matter to teach in the appropriate endorsement area (generally a major in the endorsement area)
• Validation of this content knowledge by successful completion of the PRAXIS II Content Test or PLACE test (for Spanish).