College of Education and Human Development

Health and Kinesiology

Teacher Certification

Students majoring in either health or kinesiology may qualify for a Provisional Teaching Certificate after being admitted to teacher education, completing the prescribed requirements, and being recommended by the department to the Texas Education Agency through the University's Council for Teacher Education. Completion of this degree and other academic requirements does not automatically assure that the student will be recommended for a teaching certificate. Students interested in Texas certification for a teaching career must apply for, and be admitted to, the professional phase of teacher education. See the section entitled "Requirements for Admission to the Professional Phase of Teacher Education" for additional information.

Non-Certification Tracks

Students may seek a career other than public school teaching. The department offers opportunities in Community Health, Exercise Science and Sport Management. Students are encouraged to declare career intentions early so that appropriate course work and field experiences may be planned. Students pursuing careers other than teaching are not eligible for teacher certification. These opportunities are briefly summarized in the following descriptions of each track.

Students interested in obtaining a degree must apply for, and be admitted to, the professional phase of a specific track (i.e., Exercise Science, Sport Management or Community Health). See the section entitled "Requirements for Admission to the Professional Phase of Non-Certification Tracks" for additional information.

Departmental Advising

Because of the wide variety of careers in health and kinesiology and the difference in course requirements for each, it is essential for students to take advantage of the advising opportunities offered by the department. Students are assigned to an academic advisor in accordance with their career choice. Students are encouraged to declare career intentions early so appropriate course work may be planned. All undergraduate advising matters are handled by the advisors in the department's Office of Student Affairs. Information concerning entrance to professional schools in health-related fields is available from the Office of Professional School Advising.

Students are encouraged to become involved in professional organizations and extracurricular activities that afford opportunities for becoming involved in their respective professions.

General Requirements for Admission to Professional Phase

The curricula in the Department of Health and Kinesiology are composed of two phases: the pre-professional phase and the professional phase. Upon acceptance into the department, all students enter the pre-professional phase and are assigned a lower-division classification in Health (EDHL), Kinesiology (EDKI), or Sport Management (EDSM). The pre-professional phase consists of University Core Curriculum requirements and introductory courses to the major field of study. After successful completion of these requirements, students are accepted into the professional phase and assigned an upper-level classification in Health (HLTH), Kinesiology (KINE), or Sport Management (SPMT). The professional phase consists of advanced work in the major field of study and professional development courses.

Requirements for Admission to the Professional Phase of Teacher Education

The State of Texas establishes standards for teacher education. All certification programs at Texas A&M University are in compliance with these requirements. Students must meet State, University, College of Education and Human Development and department/program requirements for matriculation into teacher education. Students are responsible for contacting the Office of Student Affairs in the Department of Health and Kinesiology to obtain information about specific requirements, which include the following.

  1. Complete ENGL 104 and 210 with a grade combination of B/C or higher.
  2. Complete the following courses with a grade of C or better:
    1. Physical Education: BIOL 111; COMM 203; KINE 121, 213, 240, 307 and 199M (4); PHYS 201; TEFB 201 and 322; ZOOL 319.
    2. School Health: BIOL 111; CHEM 101; HLTH 210, 231, 240 and 332; MATH (3); TEFB 201 and 322; ZOOL 319.
  3. GPR requirements:
    1. minimum of 2.5 on all course work completed at Texas A&M.
    2. minimum of 2.5 on all course work that applies to the degree plan.
    3. minimum of 2.5 in all teaching fields.
  4. A grade of C or better must be made in each of the following: science, professional development and teaching field courses (those courses taken at Texas A&M and those taken elsewhere and transferred to Texas A&M).
  5. Pass the THEA, ACCUPLACER, ASSET or COMPASS test or show proof of exemption from the test with appropriate TAAS (TAKS), SAT or ACT scores.
  6. Complete the preliminary defense of the portfolio.
  7. Complete application for the professional phase of teacher education prior to the deadline during the semester all above criteria are met (see academic advisor for date).
  8. Demonstrate swimming proficiency (for KINE majors).

NOTE: A $200 non-refundable fee will be assessed to your fees upon admission to the professional phase of Teacher Education.

Requirements for Admission to Student Teaching

  1. Successful admission to Professional Phase of Teacher Education.
  2. Complete Application for Student Teaching prior to the deadline the semester preceding enrollment in KNFB 416 (Kinesiology) or HLTH 425 (Health). (See academic advisor for date.)
  3. Complete all major courses and all second teaching field courses.
  4. GPR requirements:
    1. minimum of 2.5 on all course work completed at Texas A&M.
    2. minimum of 2.5 on all course work that applies to the degree plan.
    3. minimum of 2.5 computed for each: professional development, major and second teaching field courses.
  5. A grade of C or better must be made in each of the following: science, professional development, major and second teaching field courses (those courses taken at Texas A&M and those taken elsewhere and transferred to Texas A&M).
  6. Complete final defense of portfolio.

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

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

  1. Complete ENGL 104 and 210 with a grade combination of B/C or higher.
  2. Complete the following courses with a grade of C or better:
    1. Sport Management: ACCT 209, COMM 203, ECON 202, KINE 217, MGMT 209.
    2. Exercise Science: BIOL 111 and 112; CHEM 101 and 102; KINE 121, 213 and 240; MATH 131 and 141; PHYS 201 and 202; ZOOL 319 or VAPH 305; ZOOL 320 for Applied Exercise Science.
    3. Community Health: BIOL 111; CHEM 101; HLTH 210, 231, 240 and 331; MATH (3); ZOOL 319.
  3. Minimum of 2.0 on all course work completed at Texas A&M except Community Health and Applied Exercise Physiology which requires a 2.25.
  4. Pass the THEA, ACCUPLACER, ASSET or COMPASS test or show proof of exemption from the test with appropriate TAAS (TAKS), SAT or ACT scores.
  5. Applied Exercise Physiology and Sport Management have additional requirements. Please see your academic advisor for these.

Requirements for Admission to Internship

  1. Successful admission to Professional Phase of Non-Certification Track.
  2. Complete Application for Internship before the deadline for the semester preceding enrollment in KINE 402 (Sport Management), KINE 483 (Exercise Science) and HLTH 415, 425 and 440 (Community Health).
  3. Minimum 2.0 on all course work completed at Texas A&M except Community Health and Applied Exercise Physiology which requires a 2.25.
  4. A grade of C or better must be made in each of the following: COMM 203, science, professional development and major courses (those courses taken at Texas A&M and those taken elsewhere and transferred to Texas A&M).
  5. Complete all degree plan courses prior to internship experience.