Texas A&M University Undergraduate Catalog 2002-2003 Edition

General Statement

Within Texas A&M University, the College of Education and Human Development plays a proactive role in shaping the state and national educational agenda. To this end, programs in the College of Education and Human Development attempt to (1) develop thinking professionals whose research adds to the store of knowledge regarding teaching and learning, (2) produce exemplary teachers and administrators to serve in school systems of the state and nation, and (3) assist Texas and the nation in using up-to-date knowledge to improve educational practice in diverse settings. In summary, the College of Education and Human Development has three key functions: research, teaching and service.

Production of knowledge is central to the College of Education and Human Development's research role. The College of Education and Human Development supports both basic and applied research activities. Of particular interest is the effort to translate research findings into models and prescriptions that will result in substantive educational improvement in field settings.

In discharging its teaching function, the College of Education and Human Development seeks to prepare highly qualified professionals for a wide variety of educational settings. Teacher preparation programs are particularly committed to providing students with the ability to use sophisticated technologies in their instructional repertoires.

Service to the state and nation through teaching, supervising and assisting schools, state agencies, other institutions of higher education, and businesses and industries is a strong commitment of the College of Education and Human Development. Increasingly, these service efforts build on new knowledge generated through the College of Education and Human Development's research activities.

The College of Education and Human Development is responsible for managing programs for the preparation of certified school personnel. Other programs in the college prepare students for specific human service roles in the private sector and within community agencies. College of Education and Human Development majors include bilingual education (pending) interdisciplinary studies (elementary and middle school education), health (including school health education), kinesiology (including physical education certification), interdisciplinary studies (non-certification), and special education (pending). Students seeking middle school certification also have a choice of majoring in English (offered through the College of Liberal Arts). Students interested in any elementary, middle school or secondary certification programs are responsible for meeting with an advisor in the Department of Teaching, Learning and Culture's Office of Undergraduate Advising. Advisors have available specific information regarding all program options.

Students seeking secondary certification in areas other than health or kinesiology must major in an academic discipline offered through the appropriate college. Professional education courses for secondary certification are offered by the College of Education and Human Development. Students interested in secondary certification must report to an advisor in the Department of Teaching, Learning and Culture's Office of Undergraduate Advising to complete appropriate paperwork.

Teaching fields, specialization areas and endorsements/delivery systems may be chosen from the following.

Agricultural Science	Horticulture
Bilingual	Kinesiology
Biology	Life Science
Chemistry	Mathematics
Computer Science	Middle School English
Early Childhood	Middle School Science/Mathematics
English Language Arts and Reading	Middle School Social Studies/Language Arts
English as a Second Language	Physical Science
Generic Special Education	Reading
Geography	Science
Health	Social Studies
History	Spanish

The College of Education and Human Development carries out its mission of research, teaching and service through the following departments: Educational Administration and Human Resource Development, Educational Psychology, Health and Kinesiology, and Teaching, Learning and Culture. Other contributing entities include Agricultural Education, the Principals' Center, the Center for Mathematics, Science and Technology Education, the Center for Career Development and Occupational Preparation, the Center for Community Education and the Counseling and Assessment Clinic. Detailed descriptions of College of Education and Human Development departments are provided on the following pages. The College of Education and Human Development is required by Federal policy to make available the summary report of students' scores on the TExES examination. This information is available from the Associate Dean for Undergraduate Programs in the College of Education and Human Development.

General Requirements for Admission to Professional Programs

The programs of study in the College of Education and Human Development are composed of two phases--the pre-professional phase and the professional phase. The pre-professional phase consists of basic University Core Curriculum requirements and introductory courses to the major field of study. The professional phase consists of advanced work in the major field of study, courses in the professional undergirding disciplines and professional studies courses.

Upon entering the College of Education and Human Development, students are assigned a general College of Education and Human Development major that tracks the pre-professional phase of their chosen program. To advance to the professional phase of the chosen program and to be accepted into the professional major, students must meet the program entry requirements and be accepted by the program faculty. Students are responsible for contacting the departmental advisors to obtain information about specific requirements for their major and program areas.

Requirements for Admission to the Professional Phase of Teacher Education Programs

The State of Texas establishes standards for teacher education programs. All certification programs at Texas A&M are in compliance with these requirements. Students must meet state, University, College of Education and Human Development and department/program requirements for matriculation into a teacher education program. Students are responsible for contacting the departmental advisors to obtain information about specific requirements for their major and program areas. College-wide requirements for admission to teacher education include the following:

Requirements for Admission to Student Teaching

Requirements for Admission to the Professional Phase of Non-Certification Programs

The following requirements must be met by students seeking admission to the professional phase of non-certification programs in Health and Kinesiology.

NOTE: As several of the College of Education and Human Development's teacher education programs are undergoing change and are pending approval, the programs offered, admission to professional programs, admission to professional phase of teacher education, retention policy, and requirements for admission to student teaching are subject to change. Students should check with advisors in the appropriate departments to receive the most current policies and procedures.

International and Cultural Diversity Requirement

Texas A&M University requires its students to meet an International and Cultural Diversity requirement as part of the University's Core Curriculum. Meeting this requirement will require the careful selection of courses. The student is directed to of this catalog for detailed information regarding this requirement and also is encouraged to seek the advice of the student's academic advisor.