Accelerated Elementary
Begin your rewarding career as an elementary teacher in Texas! Our Accelerated Elementary Program (ACCEL) provides professionals from different fields with an alternative route to elementary certification. Admissions for this program closed April 15, 2025, for the 25-26 school year. Please consider the All Content Extended Program for Elementary Certifications.
Become A Certified Teacher
Our Accelerated Elementary Program (ACCEL) is designed to provide a pathway for those interested in pursuing teacher certification in Elementary Education, Special Education, or Bilingual Education. Participants in our program will receive a blended model of online courses and virtual classes through Zoom. This program is open to anyone throughout the state of Texas.
Participants can expect structured test preparation for exams and pre-service training built around classroom management, instructional planning, instructional delivery, and professionalism. Participants will receive continuous support both in and out of the classroom provided by their cohort leader and experienced educators. Our live, virtual classes give you the opportunity to learn and see effective teaching practices in action and spend time applying the practices to your own instruction.
This is a fast-paced program in which participants should be motivated to stay on top of self-paced learning and can manage intensive test preparation. All state requirements for teacher certification are met within the accelerated timeline.
ACCEL will be accepting applications through April 15th, 2025 for the 25-26 school year.
Accelerated Elementary Certification Options
Core Subjects EC-6
The Core Subjects EC-6 certification area will allow a participant to teach English language arts and reading (ELAR), math, science, social studies, music, art, health and physical education in Early Childhood (EC) through Grade 6.
The English as a Second Language (ESL) Supplemental exam will be added to this certification area to help participants learn the foundations of ESL education, cultural awareness, family and community involvement, language concepts, language acquisition, and ESL instructional strategies to use in the classroom.
Bilingual Core Subjects EC-6
The Bilingual Core Subjects certification area will allow a participant to teach English language arts and reading (ELAR), and Spanish language arts and reading (SLAR), math, science, social studies, music, art, health and physical education in Early Childhood (EC) through grade 6, in an English/Spanish bilingual environment. Participants must demonstrate a near-native proficiency level in speaking, reading, writing, and listening in Spanish to qualify.
Middle Level
The middle-level certification areas will allow a participant to teach in grades 4-8. The ACCEL program offers three certification options:
- Core Subjects 4-8 (English language arts and reading (ELAR), math, science, and social studies in grades 4-8)
- English Language Arts and Reading 4-8
- English Language Arts and Reading / Social Studies 4-8
The English as a Second Language (ESL) Supplemental exam will be added to this certification area to help participants learn the foundations of ESL education, cultural awareness, family and community involvement, language concepts, language acquisition, and ESL instructional strategies to use in the classroom.
Special Education EC-12
The Special Education (SPED) EC-12 certification area will allow a participant to teach children with disabilities in a variety of classroom settings in Early Childhood (EC) through grade 12. These classroom settings include early childhood special education (ECSE), life skills, resource, inclusion and behavior programs. All participants must select an ACCEL content area in addition to the Special Education EC-12 certification. Content areas include: Core Subjects EC-6, Core Subjects 4-8, ELAR 4-8, or ELAR/SS 4-8.
Program Requirements
Bachelor's Degree
Candidates must have a degree earned from and conferred by an accredited institution of higher education.
Min 2.5 Grade Point Average
Minimum 2.5 GPA on all coursework or 2.75 in the last 60 semester hours of completed coursework.
Official College Transcripts
Request your official transcripts be sent to the ECP office.
Content Specific Course Work
Candidate’s college transcript must include 15 semester hours of content specific related course work.
Pre-Admission Content Test
Applicants who do not meet the content specific course work requirement may submit evidence of a passing score on the Pre-Admission Content Test (PACT).
Requirements
View your content area's specific certification requirements
Curriculum
Our certification program curriculum is aligned with Texas Education Agency standards and educational best practices. All curriculum is taught by certified staff and content area experts.
Training
About 1/3 of our classes are live instruction (via Zoom) and 2/3 of our classes are self-paced online courses. All candidates will attend live classes via video teleconference.
Participants will be required to attend training that will continue to build on instruction learned during pre-service training.
- delivering engaging instruction
- integrating content specific strategies into lesson design
- developing and using student assessments
- understanding student diversity and instructional differentiation
- preparing for formal classroom observations
- preparing for TExES PPR exam
- preparing for TExES content exams
- implementing Marzano’s high-yield strategies
- developing and using a variety of questioning strategies
- integrating the core principles from The Fundamental Five
Technology
- incorporating the effective use of current technology in instruction
- evaluating students’ technologically produced products and projects
- utilizing technology applications in problem-solving situations and project-based learning activities
- using developmentally appropriate instructional practices, activities, and materials to integrate the Technology Applications TEKS into the curriculum
- managing technology platforms to increase communication with student families on academic and behavior progress
What’s Next?
Info Sessions
Find out more about our programs by attending one of our info sessions.
Apply
Complete our online application and take the first step in becoming a fully certified teacher.