Frequently Asked Questions What may cause me from not being accepted or removed from the Post-Bacc program? Students may be removed for the following reasons: - Unprofessionalism to any WTAMU staff, faculty, or personnel departments (discretion of program director)
- Unprofessionalism in classroom observations, concerns by school personnel
- Falsification of personal/academic information
- Felonies/Misdemeanors charges that TEA/SBEC flag
How do I apply for a teacher certificaiton plan? Is this the only application? First, candidates must submit the MAT/CERT program application and $50 applicaton fee to the Office of Alternative Certification (OAC) to request a teacher certification plan. The plan will verify deficiencies for GPA(s) and conten hours for the target certificate. Next, candidates must apply for student admisison through Graduate school by completing the Graduate Texas Common Application and $40 application fee for the Master of Arts In Teaching (MAT.CERT) by their suggested deadlines. I have applied and received my teacher certification plan? What do I do next and who is my adviser? Once you have received your teacher certification plan, you need to confirm your interest to either confirm or decline your interest in participating with the MAT/CERT program within one month of receving your plan. Candidates must call the OAC to schedule an appointment, 806-651-2599. The OAC Assistant Director serves as the adviser for the teacher certification plan. He will advise/register eligible students for cousework. What if I do not have an overall or content area GPA of 2.5? We will work with you on correcting your GPA deficiencies during advising sessions. You will not be eligible to begin the professional education coursework until the 2.5 overall GPA has been reached. The quickest way to bring up your GPA is to repeat classes in which you did poorly. Do I have to take the THEA or ACCUPLACER reading section of the test even if I was exempt for college admission? If so, how may I register for the THEA or Accuplacer test? The test is not required for admission to WTAMU, however, the mandatory reading score of 260 on THEA or a 98 on the ACCUPLACER is required for admission into the teacher education program at WTAMU. Contact Educational Services at 806-651-2341 to schedule a time to take your test. Either exam may be taken at a junior college When am I admitted to the program? This may occur after the candidate has completed and submitted his/her mandatory reading score on the Accuplacer/THEA score, 30 hours of classroom observation, obtain the mandatory GPA, and has passed his/her TExES content test under the PACT system. Students who do not obtain full admission will not be allowed to complete all TEP coursework such as EDPD 6331, EDSE 6333, or EDEL 6334, 6335. Do I have to student teach for my field experience? There are two options for completing the student teaching component for post-bacc students. The post-bacc candidate may complete a semester of 6 credit hours of traditional student teaching (arranged through the Office for Teacher Preparation and Advising, Old Main, Room 424). Or the post-bacc candidate may complete a one-year internship (two semesters of 3 credit hours of internship) as teacher-of-record in an approved and accredited public or private school in the subject and grade level certification being sought. (applicant is responsible for finding internship) Note: The teaching practicum experience component must be completed or certification will not be granted. How do Post-Bacc students find jobs? Begin applying with school districts early, but usually not before March. - The WTAMU Office of Career Services holds an Educator Expo (job fair) each Spring, which is an excellent opportunity to meet principals, superintendents, and personnel directors from the area.
- Open a personnel file with WTAMU Career Services, 806/651-2345, and access the website for resume writing and interviewing assistance: www.wtcareer.wtamu.edu.
- Substitute teaching, if possible, is an excellent method of “getting known” in the school(s).
- Region 16 (Amarillo) and Region 17 (Lubbock) Educational Service Centers have listings of teaching positions on their websites.
- Students who pass their content exam may complete the OAC web candidate form to be placed on the OAC's web candidate list of eligible candidates. Principals and superintendents check this list from time to time looking for eligible candidates for their school district.
Who supervises the Post-Bacc intern while in residence at the school district?The intern will be under the direct, ongoing and shared supervision of the building principal (or administrative alternative), Post-Bacc personnel, a WTAMU supervisor and a mentor teacher. This cadre of individuals will provide instructional and professional support and assistance to the intern. | 
