College of Education and Human Development

Teaching, Learning and Culture

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 Heaton Hall.

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 current 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 310 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.

Secondary Graduate 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 TLAC graduate programs office located in Heaton Hall.

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 2.75 in teacher emphasis/teaching field.
  5. COMM 203 must be completed with a grade of C or better.
  6. A minimum of 2.75 on all course work completed at Texas A&M.
  7. A minimum of 2.75 on all course work that applies to the degree plan, taken at Texas A&M.
  8. A minimum of 2.75 on all course work that applies to the emphasis/teaching field, taken at Texas A&M.