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FAQ

1. What are the advantages of the UHCL Alternative Certification Program?
   
   You will receive intensive, sustained supervision and mentoring.
   You will receive course-based training using courses with a proven track record.
   Many of the courses you take may count toward a master's degree.
   
   
2. What kind of help will I get once in the classroom?
   
   Your University Supervisor and Public School Mentor teacher will support you through visits where you are helped in the areas of methodology, classroom management, pedagogy, and lesson planning. Your supervisor alone will visit you at least 8 times during your first semester plus you will have close contact with your mentor teacher for ongoing support and help.
   
   
3. How will the public school mentor teacher be prepared to help you?
   
   Each Public School Mentor used in the UHCL ACP is given 3 full days of Mentor Training, especially designed by UHCL to meet the needs of the intern and mentor. Highly qualified instructors conduct the training. The instructors will help the mentors through the process of becoming a peer coach and a strong mentor.
   
   
4. Is the training course-based or just workshops?
   
   Teachers will tell you (as does the research) that one-shot or even short-duration workshops are not effective in producing results. One needs sustained training. The UHCL ACP focuses on course-based training. Each course is equivalent to 45 hours of training. And, as noted below, the UHCL courses already have a track record of producing teachers prepared to be a part of the teaching profession for many, many years.
   
   
5. Since I already have a degree, can I count the courses I take for UHCL Alternative Certification Program towards a Master's degree?
   
   The courses offered by the UHCL ACP may be taken at either the graduate or undergraduate level. If you want to pursue your master's degree, then you can apply for graduate study at the same time you apply for the ACP. If you are admitted to a graduate program, by the time you complete your certification, you could be well on your way to completing your master's degree.