Program Overview

Candidates are formally admitted upon recommendation of Department of Teaching, Learning and Culture (TLAC) faculty and progress through the summer, fall and spring semesters as a cohort.

Per Texas Education Agency (TEA), to be certified as a Texas teacher an individual must

• Apply for certification with the Texas Education Agency (TEA)
• Pass state exams in content and professional responsibilities and pedagogy
• Be recommended to the State by a University Supervisor and school administrator or cooperating teacher
• Complete a paid internship as a teacher in a Texas public, charter or TEA-recognized private school setting, or complete an unpaid 16-week clinical teaching assignment
• Have previously earned a Bachelor’s degree
• Demonstrate competency in the basic skills of reading, writing and mathematics

Program Details

Degrees Offered: Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Curriculum and Instruction, non-thesis

Texas Teacher Certifications Offered: EC-6, 4-8 content areas, 7-12 content areas

Program Delivery: On-campus and online (51% distance learning)

TRACK 1: Teacher Certification Only

Intended for individuals interested only in obtaining Texas teacher certification. Candidates earn a teaching certificate and 21 graduate credits.

Admission Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher learning*
• Undergraduate students may apply in the fall of their final year of undergraduate study (Application deadlines: October 1 or December 1)
• An overall GPA of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale
• Minimum number of content-area credit hours (see below)
• Meeting with Program Advisor prior to application submission (Zoom or phone)
• Passing score on TX PACT exam uploaded in AIS
• Application and acceptance to both TAMU Graduate School & Graduate Certification Program
  • Step-by-step instructions may be found on TLAC’s Graduate Admission’s Page (scroll to the bottom of the page)
  • Specify that you are enrolling in “Distance Learning”
• *If you graduated from a non-US college or university:
  • Submit foreign transcripts evaluated and translated by a TEA approved foreign credential service. The report should specifically state if you received the U. S. equivalent of a bachelor’s degree in your subject area and provide a detailed list of all coursework.
  • Demonstrate English language proficiency.

Pre-Requisite Coursework

TEFB 324: Teaching in Secondary School*

INST 210: Understanding Special Populations* OR  SPED 621: Overview of Exceptional Children*

Required Coursework (21 hours)

EDCI 611: Teaching English as a Second Language OR RDNG 603: Reading Instruction in High School

TEED 602: Contemporary Perspectives on Education

TEED 649: Instructional Strategies

TEED 682 (Fall): Seminar (online with two Saturday face-to-face)

TEED 684 (Fall): Internship

TEED 682 (Spring): Seminar (online with two Saturday face-to-face)

TEED 684 (Spring): Internship

TRACK 2: M.Ed. + Teacher Certification

Intended for individuals interested in pursuing a Master’s degree in Curriculum & Instruction and obtaining Texas teacher certification.

Candidates earn a teaching certificate and masters degree within a 36 credit hour program.

Admission Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher learning*

• Undergraduate students may apply in the fall of their final year of undergraduate study (Application deadlines: October 1 or December 1)
• An overall GPA of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale
• Minimum number of content-area credit hours (see below)
• Meeting with Program Advisor prior to application submission (Zoom or phone)
• Passing score on TX PACT exam uploaded in AIS
• Application and acceptance to both TAMU Graduate School & Graduate Certification Program
  • Step-by-step instructions may be found on TLAC’s Graduate Admission’s Page (scroll to the bottom of the page)
  • Specify that you are enrolling in “Distance Learning”

*If you graduated from a non-US college or university:

• Submit foreign transcripts evaluated and translated by a TEA approved foreign credential service. The report should specifically state if you received the U. S. equivalent of a bachelor’s degree in your subject area and provide a detailed list of all coursework.
• Demonstrate English language proficiency.

Pre-Requisite Coursework

TEFB 324: Teaching in Secondary School*

INST 210: Understanding Special Populations* OR  SPED 621: Overview of Exceptional Children*

Required Coursework (36 hours)

EDCI 611:  Teaching English as a Second Language OR RDNG 603:

Reading Instruction in High School

TEED 602: Contemporary Perspectives on Education

TEED 649: Instructional Strategies

TEED 682 (Fall): Seminar (online with two Saturday face-to-face)

TEED 684 (Fall): Internship

TEED 682 (Spring): Seminar (online with two Saturday face-to-face)

TEED 684 (Spring: Internship

EDCI 602: Cultural Foundations of Education

EDCI 644: Curriculum Development

EDCI: 673: Analysis of Teacher Behavior 

*These courses may count as electives for the M.Ed.

Internship

Candidates can meet the internship requirements of the Texas Education Agency and Graduate Certification program by being hired as a teacher of record and teaching full-time in their certification field.* Internships may be completed in any public, charter or private school recognized by TEA.

Students are responsible for

• Applying to Texas districts/schools
• Interviewing
• Signing a teacher contract
• Applying for certification with TEA
• Completing a Criminal History check with the hiring district
• Fulfilling job responsibilities and TX Educator Code of Ethics

*Admission to the Graduate Certification program does not guarantee employment.