aggieTEACH
Join the profession that transforms all other professions. TEACH.
Double your career potential by obtaining your Texas high school teaching certificate as you earn your bachelor’s degree! The College of Education and Human Development, through the Department of Teaching, Learning and Culture (TLAC), offers three (3) pathways for non-education majors to seek a secondary teacher certification through the aggieTEACH program. Explore aggieTEACH certifications that offer a minor in secondary education for undergraduate students or a secondary graduate certification program for applicants who are near degree completion or with an earned bachelor’s degree. The aggieTEACH programs are the perfect professional endorsement for those who are interested in teaching middle and high school subjects such as mathematics, science, English, history, social studies and in computer science.
PARTICIPATING COLLEGES & CAMPUSES
- College of Agricultural & Life Sciences
- College of Engineering
- College of Geosciences*
- College of Liberal Arts
- College of Science
- College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences*
- Galveston, Department of Marine Biology
- Secondary Graduate Certification Program / Post-Baccalaureate (TLAC)
*2021
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
Pathways One and Two are for those who seek a minor in secondary education minor. Pathway Three is available for undergraduates who are near completion of an undergraduate degree or an earned bachelor’s degree who pursue a secondary graduate certification.
Pathway 1
Early Entry into the Secondary Education Minor through Your Degree Program
Pathway 2
Traditional Secondary Education Minor
Pathway 3
Secondary Graduate Certification Program / Post-Baccalaureate
MINOR IN SECONDARY EDUCATION
Pathway 1, Early Entry into the Secondary Education Minor through Your Degree Program
In this approach, 18 credit hours for a Secondary Education Minor plus one semester of clinical teaching are embedded throughout students’ degree plan to support their interest for enrolling in a teaching certification program. This path is perfect for students who want to begin satisfying the requirements for the aggieTEACH Program in their freshman or sophomore year.
Pathway 2, Traditional Secondary Education Minor
This route offers 18 credit hours for a Secondary Education Minor plus one semester of clinical teaching are added in the last 2 years of the student’s degree plan. This path is ideal for students who enter the aggieTEACH Program during their junior year.
In addition, both pathways require:
- Majoring in a subject area for which teacher certification options are available, and
- Completing content courses listed on the teaching Field Plan for the desired area of certification (most will overlap with courses in the declared major), and
- Enrolling in one semester of clinical teaching after all coursework for the major degree and Secondary Education minor are completed, and
- Passing score on the TExES Teaching Certification exams.
Students must be formally admitted into the aggieTEACH Program (see prerequisites below) in order to be eligible for the minor in Secondary Education. Students interested in obtaining a minor in Secondary Education should contact a TLAC undergraduate advisor in Harrington Tower.
SECONDARY GRADUATE CERTIFICATION PROGRAM
Pathway 3, Secondary Graduate Certification / Post Baccalaureate Program
The Secondary Graduate Certification Program leads to teacher certification (EC-6, Grades 4-8, or 7-12). It is designed for those students at or near the senior year of their undergraduate degree or who have completed a baccalaureate degree. A paid internship as a classroom teacher and the opportunity to apply all coursework toward the Master of Education degree are unique features of this program. Candidates are admitted upon recommendation of departmental advisors and progress through summer, fall and spring semesters as a cohort. The certification program requires completion of 21 graduate semester credit hours and the successful completion of appropriate state examinations.
The Secondary Graduate Certificate in Secondary Education (also referred to as the Post-Baccalaureate Program) is designed for students at or near the senior year of their undergraduate degree, or graduates with a 4-year degree, and who are now interested in earning a secondary teaching certificate. This pathway has two tracks.
- Track 1: Teacher Certification: Candidates earn a teaching certificate and 21 graduate credits.
- Track 2: Teacher Certification with a Masters of Education. Candidates earn teaching certificate and master’s degree in education (36 credit hours), with a focus in curriculum and instruction.
REQUIREMENTS FOR PATHWAYS 1 + 2
Minor in Secondary Education – Early Entry and Traditional
Program Prerequisites:
- 2.75 minimum overall GPR
- 2.5 GPR in content area
- 30-80 completed college credits
- 15 hours of content coursework on the teaching Field Plan for math and science majors; 12 hours of content coursework for non-math and non-science majors
- Major in a subject area for which teacher certification options are available
- A minimum of three semesters remaining as an undergraduate student
- Teaching Field Plan signed by an academic advisor in your teaching field or College of declared major
- Complete one of the following with a B or better: INST 222, TEFB 273, or SOCI 317
- Three letters of recommendation
- Students interested in secondary mathematics or science certification (aggieTEACH-Science) must complete SCEN 201 with a B or better
Program Requirements:
- Maintain a 2.75 minimum overall GPR
- Maintain a minimum of 2.5 GPR in content area
- 18 hours of coursework in the Secondary Education minor*
- One semester of Clinical Teaching
- Passing score on the TExES Teaching Certification exams
Note: Students must be formally accepted into the aggieTEACH program before they can claim the Secondary Education minor
REQUIREMENTS FOR PATHWAY 3
Secondary Graduate Certification Program/ Post Baccalaureate Pathway
Program Requirements:
- Students at or near the senior year of their undergraduate degree or an earned bachelor’s degree
- 2.75 minimum overall GPR
- Coursework: (3) INST 210 | (3) TEFB 324
- Teaching field plan signed by an academic advisor in your teaching field
- TLAC Departmental application for M. Ed.
- Graduate studies admissions application
- Three letters of recommendation
PATHWAY 1 CERTIFICATIONS AVAILABLE
Pathway 1 Certifications Available
Chemistry (Grades 7-12)
College of Science
Department of Chemistry
BA-CHEM Chemistry Education Track (BA-CHEM-CET)
Roxanna Russel
Email: rrussell@tamu.edu
English Language and Reading (Grades 7-12)
(In Development)
College of Liberal Arts
Department of English
Undergraduate Program Office
Email: engl-undergraduate-office@lists.tamu.edu
PATHWAY 2 CERTIFICATIONS AVAILABLE
Pathway 2 Certifications Available
Social Studies (Composite) (Grades 7-12)
College of Liberal Arts
Department of History
Robyn Konrad
Academic Advisor III
Email: robyn-konrad@tamu.edu
History (Grades 7-12) and Social Studies Composite
College of Liberal Arts
Department of History
Robyn Konrad
Academic Advisor III
Email: robyn-konrad@tamu.edu
English Language and Reading (Grades 7-12)
College of Liberal Arts
Department of English
Undergraduate Program Office
Email: engl-undergraduate-office@lists.tamu.edu
Mathematics/Physical Science/Engineering (Grades 6-12)
College of Engineering
Engineering Technology and
Industrial Distribution
J Karyssa Zavala
Academic Advisor I
Email: zavalak@tamu.edu
Physics/Mathematics (Grades 7-12)
College of Science
Department of Physics
Sherree Kessler
Email: skessler@tamu.edu
Mathematics (Grades 7-12)
College of Science
Department of Mathematics
Hoffman, Donna
Email: donna@math.tamu.edu
Heather Ramsey
Email: ramsey@math.tamu.edu
College of Science
Department of Statistics
Alyssa Brigham
Email: abrigham@stat.tamu.edu
College of Science
University Studies
Dr. Vince Schielack
Email: vinces@math.tamu.edu
Physical Science (Grades 6-12)
College of Science
Department of Chemistry
Joe Mawk
Instructional Assistant Professor
Email: mawk@tamu.edu
College of Science
Department of Physics
Sherree Kessler
Email: skessler@tamu.edu
College of Geosciences
Judy Nunez
Director, College Recruitment
Email: jnunez@tamu.edu
College of Agricultural
and Life Sciences
Department of Nutrition and
Food Sciences
Poppy Capehart
Academic Advisor IV
Email: poppy@tamu.edu
Chemistry (Grades 7-12)
College of Science
Department of Chemistry
Joe Mawk
Instructional Assistant Professor
Email: mawk@tamu.edu
College of Geosciences
Judy Nunez
Director, College Recruitment
Email: jnunez@tamu.edu
College of Agricultural
and Life Sciences
Department of Nutrition and
Food Sciences
Poppy Capehart
Academic Advisor IV
Email: poppy@tamu.edu
College of Vet Medicine
and Biomedical Sciences
Sabrina Niemeyer
Advisor
Email: sniemeyer@tamu.edu
Agriculture, Food & Natural
Resources (AFNR) (Grades 6-12)
College of Agricultural & Life Sciences
Department of Agricultural Leadership,
Education, and Communications (ALEC)
Courtney McCubbins
Academic Advisor II
Email: courtney.mccubbins@tamu.edu
Computer Science (Grades 8-12)
College of Engineering
Department of Computer Science
J. Raley Marek
Academic Advisor III
Email: raley@tamu.edu
Applied Learning in STEM (Grades 7-12)
TAMU-Galveston
Marine Biology and Marine Sciences
Melanie Moser, Phd
Instructional Professor and Assistant
Department Head: Department of Marine Sciences
Email: moserm@tamug.edu
Composite Science (Grades 7-12)
College of Science
Department of Chemistry
Joe Mawk
Instructional Assistant Professor
Email: mawk@tamu.edu
College of Science
Department of Biology
Christine Farris
Email: christinefarris@tamu.edu
College of Science
University Studies
Dr. Jennifer Whitfield
Email: jwhitfld@tamu.edu
College of Geosciences
Judy Nunez
Director, College Recruitment
Email: jnunez@tamu.edu
College of Agricultural
and Life Sciences
Department of Nutrition and
Food Sciences
Poppy Capehart
Academic Advisor IV
Email: poppy@tamu.edu
College of Agricultural
and Life Sciences
Department of Animal Science
Dr. Wesley Osburn
Associate Professor
Email: osburnw@tamu.edu
College of Vet Medicine
and Biomedical Sciences
Sabrina Niemeyer
Advisor
Email: sniemeyer@tamu.edu
Life Science (Grades 7-12)
College of Science
Department of Biology
Christine Farris
Email: christinefarris@tamu.edu
College of Geosciences
Judy Nunez
Director, College Recruitment
Email: jnunez@tamu.edu
College of Agricultural
and Life Sciences
Department of Nutrition and
Food Sciences
Poppy Capehart
Academic Advisor IV
Email: poppy@tamu.edu
College of Agricultural
and Life Sciences
Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences
Faegen Lee
Academic Advisor I
Email: fdlee@tamu.edu
College of Agricultural
and Life Sciences
Department of Horticulture
Megan Teel
Email: megan_teel@tamu.edu
College of Agricultural
and Life Sciences
Department of Animal Science
Dr. Wesley Osburn
Associate Professor
Email: osburnw@tamu.edu
College of Vet Medicine
and Biomedical Sciences
Sabrina Niemeyer
Advisor
Email: sniemeyer@tamu.edu
PATHWAY 3 CERTIFICATIONS AVAILABLE
(Master’s Degree with Teacher Certification)
Pathway 3 Certifications Available
Social Studies (Composite) (Grades 7-12)
College of Liberal Arts
Department of History
Robyn Konrad
Academic Advisor III
Email: robyn-konrad@tamu.edu
History (Grades 7-12) and Social Studies Composite
College of Liberal Arts
Department of History
Robyn Konrad
Academic Advisor III
Email: robyn-konrad@tamu.edu
English Language and Reading (Grades 7-12)
College of Liberal Arts
Department of English
Undergraduate Program Office
Email: engl-undergraduate-office@lists.tamu.edu
Mathematics/Physical Science/Engineering (Grades 6-12)
College of Engineering
Engineering Technology and
Industrial Distribution
J Karyssa Zavala
Academic Advisor I
Email: zavalak@tamu.edu
Physics/Mathematics (Grades 7-12)
College of Science
Department of Physics
Sherree Kessler
Email: skessler@tamu.edu
Mathematics (Grades 7-12)
College of Science
Department of Mathematics
Hoffman, Donna
Email: donna@math.tamu.edu
Heather Ramsey
Email: ramsey@math.tamu.edu
College of Science
Department of Statistics
Alyssa Brigham
Email: abrigham@stat.tamu.edu
College of Science
University Studies
Dr. Vince Schielack
Email: vinces@math.tamu.edu
Physical Science (Grades 6-12)
College of Science
Department of Chemistry
Joe Mawk
Instructional Assistant Professor
Email: mawk@tamu.edu
College of Science
Department of Physics
Sherree Kessler
Email: skessler@tamu.edu
College of Geosciences
Judy Nunez
Director, College Recruitment
Email: jnunez@tamu.edu
College of Agricultural
and Life Sciences
Department of Nutrition and
Food Sciences
Poppy Capehart
Academic Advisor IV
Email: poppy@tamu.edu
Chemistry (Grades 7-12)
College of Science
Department of Chemistry
Joe Mawk
Instructional Assistant Professor
Email: mawk@tamu.edu
College of Geosciences
Judy Nunez
Director, College Recruitment
Email: jnunez@tamu.edu
College of Agricultural
and Life Sciences
Department of Nutrition and
Food Sciences
Poppy Capehart
Academic Advisor IV
Email: poppy@tamu.edu
College of Vet Medicine
and Biomedical Sciences
Sabrina Niemeyer
Advisor
Email: sniemeyer@tamu.edu
Agriculture, Food & Natural
Resources (AFNR) (Grades 6-12)
College of Agricultural & Life Sciences
Department of Agricultural Leadership,
Education, and Communications (ALEC)
Courtney McCubbins
Academic Advisor II
Email: courtney.mccubbins@tamu.edu
Computer Science (Grades 8-12)
College of Engineering
Department of Computer Science
J. Raley Marek
Academic Advisor III
Email: raley@tamu.edu
Applied Learning in STEM (Grades 7-12)
TAMU-Galveston
Marine Biology and Marine Sciences
Melanie Moser, Phd
Instructional Professor and Assistant
Department Head: Department of Marine Sciences
Email: moserm@tamug.edu
Composite Science (Grades 7-12)
College of Science
Department of Chemistry
Joe Mawk
Instructional Assistant Professor
Email: mawk@tamu.edu
College of Science
Department of Biology
Christine Farris
Email: christinefarris@tamu.edu
College of Science
University Studies
Dr. Jennifer Whitfield
Email: jwhitfld@tamu.edu
College of Geosciences
Judy Nunez
Director, College Recruitment
Email: jnunez@tamu.edu
College of Agricultural
and Life Sciences
Department of Nutrition and
Food Sciences
Poppy Capehart
Academic Advisor IV
Email: poppy@tamu.edu
College of Agricultural
and Life Sciences
Department of Animal Science
Dr. Wesley Osburn
Associate Professor
Email: osburnw@tamu.edu
College of Vet Medicine
and Biomedical Sciences
Sabrina Niemeyer
Advisor
Email: sniemeyer@tamu.edu
Life Science (Grades 7-12)
College of Science
Department of Biology
Christine Farris
Email: christinefarris@tamu.edu
College of Geosciences
Judy Nunez
Director, College Recruitment
Email: jnunez@tamu.edu
College of Agricultural
and Life Sciences
Department of Nutrition and
Food Sciences
Poppy Capehart
Academic Advisor IV
Email: poppy@tamu.edu
College of Agricultural
and Life Sciences
Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences
Faegen Lee
Academic Advisor I
Email: fdlee@tamu.edu
College of Agricultural
and Life Sciences
Department of Horticulture
Megan Teel
Email: megan_teel@tamu.edu
College of Agricultural
and Life Sciences
Department of Animal Science
Dr. Wesley Osburn
Associate Professor
Email: osburnw@tamu.edu
College of Vet Medicine
and Biomedical Sciences
Sabrina Niemeyer
Advisor
Email: sniemeyer@tamu.edu
CONTACT INFORMATION
Pathways 1 and 2: Minor in Secondary Education Program
TLAC Undergraduate Academic Advisors
Christy Porter
Assistant Director of Advising
Charles Otto
Academic Advisor II
Jennifer Lopez
Academic Advisor III
Jenny Folsom
Academic Advisor II
CONTACT INFORMATION
Pathway 3: Secondary Graduate Certification Program
TLAC Graduate Academic Leaders and Advisors
Certification Process
Information about the certification process can be found on the College of Education and Human Development link below.
Frequently Asked Questions
aggieTEACH
Once I graduate with my bachelor’s degree, can’t I just take a test to be a teacher?
TEA (Texas Education Agency) requires individuals to complete an Educator Preparation Program (EPP). You can find out more about the certification process at this site, http://certification.tamu.edu/certification-process.
I’m certified in another state. How can I transfer my certificate to Texas?
You will need to follow the instructions on the TEA website at https://tea.texas.gov/texas-educators/certification/out-of-state-certification/out-of-state-certified-educators.
I’m interested in teaching early childhood (EC-6) or grades 4 through 8. How can I get teacher certification through Texas A&M University?
There are two ways to obtain certification in EC-6 or grades 4-8. One, is to major in Interdisciplinary Studies as an undergraduate at Texas A&M University. The other way is to join the Graduate Certification program if you are in another major. If you are interested in the Graduate Certification program, you should plan to speak with Kara Bond (karabond@tamu.edu) as soon as possible.
The English department in the College of Liberal Arts will be offering a grades 4-8 certification in the near future.
I am a senior about to graduate. Is it too late to get my teacher certification?
No, it’s not! At this point, you will be on our “Pathway 3.” If you have completed most of your major’s degree plan requirements, you can look at our Graduate Certification Program that is designed to help seniors and those who have graduated with a bachelor’s degree obtain teacher certification as well as a master’s degree.
Do I need to major in the same field I want to teach?
No, you do not have to major in the same field you teach. For example, an English major could seek teacher certification in mathematics or science. However, sometimes when your teaching field is similar to your major it can reduce the number of hours required for certification. You need to visit with your major advisor to see how the required certification courses can be used with your degree plan.