ELP Alternative Certification Form
For eligibility to hold a graduate assistantship with instructional or curricular support responsibilities, Texas State law (Education Code, Section 51-97) and Texas A&M University require international graduate students to achieve English Language Proficiency Certification. Prospective or current international students seeking eligibility to hold a graduate assistant-teaching position must obtain Certification before the date of hire.
Alternative Certification may be acquired from the Graduate and Professional School via request submitted by colleges/schools, departments, or interdisciplinary degree programs. Alternative Certification indicates that an international student meets the English Language Proficiency standard required to hold a teaching position through means other than the acceptable testing scores and confers Level 1 (Eligible) status.
An international graduate student completing all years of a bachelor's degree from an accredited academic institution located in the United States qualifies for Alternative Certification.
Students who are citizens of certain English-speaking countries will also be considered for Alternative Certification. The Office of Admissions’ International Graduate webpage maintains a complete list of countries whose citizens are exempt.
ELP ALTERNATIVE CERTIFICATION FORM
Alternative Certification requests must be submitted by colleges/schools, departments, or interdisciplinary degree programs. The Graduate and Professional School will determine on a case-by-case basis whether to grant Alternative Certification.