The Department of Teaching, Learning and Culture is responsible for undergraduate
programs that lead to certification at the early childhood/elementary, middle
and secondary levels. Note these exceptions: (1) students interested in teaching
either health or physical education must major in the Department of Health
and Kinesiology; (2) students interested in teaching agricultural science must
major in the Department of Agricultural Education.
Early Childhood/Elementary or Middle Grades Certification
Baccalaureate Degree Programs. Most
students interested in early childhood/elementary (PreK-4) or middle school
(4-8) certification pursue a program leading to the Bachelor of Science
degree (B.S.) with a major in interdisciplinary studies (INST). The INST
degree certification programs prepare students for the many diverse instructional
roles assumed by public school teachers. A maximum of 139 credit hours
is required for the INST degree. Within this program, students may focus
on: (1) early childhood (PreK-grade 4); (2) middle school (grades 4-8 math
and science); and (3) middle school (grades 4-8 language arts and social
studies). For complete information, see an advisor in the Department of
Teaching, Learning and Culture's Office of Undergraduate Advising in 107
Harrington Tower.
There is another baccalaureate elementary certification program available
for students majoring in English. For information about this program, see
an advisor in the College of Liberal Arts.
Eligibility. Students
must meet the requirements for a bachelor's degree in the college and the
department in which they are majoring. 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. It is
the responsibility of the student to contact the Department of Teaching,
Learning and Culture's Office of Undergraduate Advising for specific information
pertaining to program changes.
Requirements for Admission to Teacher Education
Early Childhood/Elementary or Middle Grades Certification Programs
Please see an advisor in the Department of Teaching, Learning and Culture's
Office of Undergraduate Advising for accurate information.
Requirements for Admission to Teaching Education
Early Childhood/Elementary and Middle Grades Education Program
1. Pass all sections of THEA or have state-authorized exemption.
2. Completion of a minimum 45 hours of pre-professional course work
from degree program (includes University Core Curriculum courses).
3. Completion of a minimum of 32 hours of University Core Curriculum
courses with no grade lower than a C.
4. Completion of TEFB 273 or INST 210 with a grade of B or higher (equivalent
courses from a community college may be substituted).
5. Completion of English Proficiency grade requirement by earning a
B/C grade combination in ENGL 104 and one of the following courses: 210,
235, 236, 241, or 301.
6. A GPR of 2.75 on all course work on a degree plan with no grade
lower than a C.
7. Transcripts for all institutions of higher education
on file in the Texas A&M University Office of Admissions and Records.
8. Approved and signed degree plan on file in the Advising Office of
the Department of Teaching, Learning and Culture.
9. Payment of a $200 non-refundable fee following acceptance into the
Teacher Education Program-Professional Phase.
These requirements must be seen as minimum standards only. Successful
fulfillment of all of the above requirements does not guarantee admission
to the program. Admission also depends upon the number of places available
and the number of applications received each year. If more qualified
students apply than the available number of spaces, admission may be
based on selection factors at the time of application, such as GPA
in pre-professional courses, number of hours needed to complete the
program, and enrollment in prerequisite courses.
Baccalaureate Programs/Secondary Education
Certification programs are available for those who seek teaching certificates
in secondary education. For this certificate, the applicant must be enrolled
in, or have a degree in, an academic area other than education. Complete
information on these certification programs is available in the Department
of Teaching, Learning and Culture's Office of Undergraduate Advising.
Post-Baccalaureate Certification Program
A post-baccalaureate program leading to initial teacher certification
at the secondary level is available. This program includes a public school
year internship and graduate courses which may be used toward meeting
requirements for the Master of Education degree (M.Ed.) in curriculum
and instruction. A complete description is given under Secondary Certification.
Complete information on Post-Baccalaureate Certification Programs is
available from the graduate programs office located in Room 308 Harrington
Tower.
Requirements for Admission to Student Teaching
1. Complete a student teaching application by the given deadlines.
For fall placement, the application must be submitted by February 1.
For spring placement, the application must be submitted by September
10. Health and kinesiology majors and agricultural education majors must
see their advisors for deadlines.
2. Formal admission to teacher education.
3. Completion of all courses listed on the degree plan. All Education/Interdisciplinary
Studies and professional courses with a grade of C or better.
4. All certification course work must be completed. Each emphasis/teaching
field must have a grade of C or better in each course with a minimum
GPR of 2.5 in teacher emphasis/teaching field.
5. COMM 203 must be completed with a grade of C or better.
6. A minimum of 2.5 on all course work completed
at Texas A&M.
7. A minimum of 2.5 on all course work that applies
to the degree plan, taken at Texas A&M.
8. A minimum of 2.5 on all course work that applies
to the emphasis/teaching field, taken at Texas A&M.
