2002-2003 Edition
Texas A&M University Undergraduate CatalogTexas A&M University Undergraduate Catalog
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Secondary Certification

Baccalaureate Degree Program. Programs leading to certification for teaching at the secondary level (grades 8 through 12) require that students be enrolled in a program leading to a bachelor's degree or already hold a bachelor's degree. The bachelor's degree must be in a major outside of the College of Education and Human Development. Most students pursue an academic major closely related to the field or fields they intend to teach in the secondary schools. Texas A&M University is authorized to certify secondary school teachers in more than 20 teaching fields. Prospective secondary teachers must establish a formal secondary teacher certification plan with the Department of Teaching, Learning and Culture's Office of Undergraduate Advising. *Students interested in secondary certification are responsible for contacting an advisor in the Department of Teaching, Learning and Culture's Office of Undergraduate Advising.

Typically, undergraduates interested in secondary certification will complete graduation requirements for the bachelor's degree and certification requirements at the same time. To qualify for certification, students will complete a total of 24 semester hours of course work offered by College of Education and Human Development departments. Enrollment in courses with the "TEFB" prefix in Phases III and IV is restricted to students who have completed all requirements for admission to teacher education.

Eligibility. Students must meet (or have met) the requirements for a bachelor's degree in the college and the department in which they are majoring (or in which they majored). Further, they must meet specific admission and performance standards established by the Department of Teaching, Learning and Culture as well as requirements for professional education and certification established by the State of Texas. These requirements include admission to teacher education, admission to student teaching, and qualification for initial certification. Specific information pertaining to program admission and to minimum required performance levels is available from the Department of Teaching, Learning and Culture's Office of Undergraduate Advising.

Requirements for Admission to Teacher Education
Secondary Certification Program
  1. Approved certification plan on file and signed by your advisor.
  1. Approved teaching field plan(s) on file and signed by teaching field advisor(s).
  1. Transcripts from all institutions of higher education must be on file in the Texas A&M University Office of the Registrar.
  1. Completion of the English Proficiency requirement by earning a B/C grade combination in English 104 and one of the following courses: ENGL 203, 210, 235, 236, 241 or 301.
  1. Completion of TEFB 201 and TEFB 322.
  1. Pass all sections of TASP test or exemption with SAT, ACT or TAAS.
  1. A minimum GPR of 2.5 computed on all teaching field plan courses taken at Texas A&M University, with a grade of C or better in each teaching field plan course.
  1. A grade of C or better in each of the INST and/or TEFB courses.
  1. A minimum GPR of 2.5 on all Texas A&M courses that apply to the certification program.
  1. A minimum GPR of 2.5 on all course work completed at Texas A&M.
  1. Teacher Education application on file (note submission and deadline dates).
  1. A minimum of 15 semester credit hours at Texas A&M University, and completion of University Core Curriculum.
  1. Pay a $200 non-refundable fee following acceptance into the Teacher Education Program--Professional Phase.

Please note that until admittance is granted, the student will be blocked from registering for any professional courses requiring admission to teacher education. For more information, contact an advisor in the Department of Teaching, Learning and Culture's Office of Undergraduate Advising.

Required courses are as follows:

Credit  
  Phases I 1 and II 1
1
   TEFB 201 Self -Directed Experiences with Adolescents (1-3)
2
   TEFB 322 Teaching and Schooling in Modern Society (2-3)
3
   INST 210 2 Understanding Special Populations (3-0)
3
   RDNG 465 Reading in the Middle and Secondary Grades
   
  Phase III 1,3,5
3
   TEFB 323 Teaching Skills I (2-3)
3
   TEFB 324 Teaching Skills II (2-3)
   
  Phase IV 1,4
  One of the following courses:
3
   TEFB 401 Language Arts in the Middle and Senior School (2-6)
  TEFB 404 Social Studies in the Middle and Senior High School (2-6)
  TEFB 406 Science in the Middle and Secondary School (2-6)
  TEFB 407 Mathematics in the Middle and Senior School (2-6)
9
   TEFB 429 Supervised Student Teaching (0-36)
24
    

NOTES:
1. Demonstration of competencies in technology literacy is required throughout the secondary program.

2. KINE majors may meet requirements of INST 210 by completing KINE 429 Adapted Physical Activity.

3. Phases I and II must be completed prior to admission to teacher education. Admission to Teacher Education must be completed prior to taking Phase III.

4. Phases I, II and III must be completed before enrolling in Phase IV.

5. ENGL majors must also complete RDNG 460.

Post-Baccalaureate Program Leading to Initial Secondary Teacher Certification

This program is designed for those candidates who have completed the baccalaureate degree and desire initial certification at the secondary level. Candidates are admitted upon recommendation of departmental advisors and progress through summer, fall and spring as a cohort. The certification program requires completion of 24 graduate semester credit hours and the successful completion of appropriate State examinations. A full public school year internship and the opportunity to apply all course work toward the Master of Education degree are unique features of this program. The candidate may, upon approval by the department and a cooperating school district, serve as an intern in a full-time salaried teacher of record position, in a part-time salaried teaching position, or as a paid substitute teacher. All candidates will serve a full public school year internship whether in a salaried or non-salaried position.

Prerequisites

A. Completion of the following prior to the first summer session:

1. Baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution with a GPR of 2.75.

2. Nine (9) semester credit hours.

INST 210 Special Populations or SPED 621* Overview of Exceptional Students

INST 301 Educational Psychology or EPSY 602* Educational Psychology

EPSY 321 Adolescent Development or EPSY 646* Issues in Child and Adolescent Development or PSYC 323 Psychology of Adolescents

*Because these graduate courses are prerequisite for admission to the program, they may be applied toward a Master's degree but not toward certification.

3. Course work for one teaching field as approved by the teaching field advisor.

4. Admission to Graduate Studies and the Department of Teaching, Learning and Culture with a minimum quantitative GRE score of 400 and a minimum verbal GRE score of 400.

5. Pass the appropriate Teaching Field TExES.

Course of Study for a Post-Baccalaureate Program Leading
to Initial Secondary Teacher Certification

Enrollment in the following courses is limited to candidates pursuing initial secondary certification in the post-baccalaureate program.

Summer Session I: 9 credit hours:
Credit  
3
   EDCI 611 Teaching English as a Second Language (3-0)
3
   TEED 602 Contemporary Perspectives on Education (2-3)
3
   TEED 649 Instructional Strategies in Academic Specialties in the Middle and Senior High School: Principles and Applications (2-3)
   
Fall Semester: 6-9 credit hours:
Credit  
3
   TEED 682 Seminar
3-6
   TEED 684 Professional Internship. Full day of in-school activities.
   
Candidates in a one-half time paid or non-paid internship may, with approval of an advisor, enroll in 3 credit hours of approved course work, providing it does not interfere with the internship day.
     
Spring Semester: 6-9 Credit hours:
Credit  
3
   TEED 682 Seminar
3-6
   TEED 684 Professional Internship. Full day of in-school activities.

Recommendation for Certification. Upon successful completion of the three prerequisite courses, the teaching field plan (minimum of 24 credit hours) during the summer, fall and spring semesters, a demonstrated competency in speech and technology, and passing scores on all State-required examinations, candidates will be recommended for certification.

NOTE:
To complete the Master of Education degree, candidates will enroll in Teaching, Learning and Culture foundation courses and courses in their teaching field(s) as approved by their graduate advisory committee.