M.Ed. in Curriculum & Instruction: Graduate Certification Program

The Graduate Certification Program (GCP) at Texas A&M University is designed for students in their senior year of undergraduate studies, or those who already hold a baccalaureate degree, and are interested in earning a teaching certificate.

The opportunity for a paid internship as a classroom teacher while applying all coursework toward a Master of Education (M.Ed.) degree are unique features of this program.

Degree Offered: Master of Education (M.Ed.)

Program Emphasis: Curriculum and Instruction with Texas teacher certification

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

Credit Hours: 36, non-thesis

Program Details

The Graduate Certification Program offers three (3) pathways for state teacher certification: Internship, Clinical Teaching or Residency. Students choose the pathway that best meets their needs.

• Internship: Hired by a district as a full-time Teacher of Record, you will fulfill all teaching responsibilities while receiving the beginning teacher salary, insurance benefits and other employee benefits offered by the hiring district.
• Clinical Teaching: A 14-week (70 days), full-time unpaid placement in a cooperating teacher’s classroom during the spring semester, in which the cooperating teacher will provide opportunities for you to plan and deliver lessons to entire classes of students.
• Residency: Hired by a partner district (Aldine, Austin, Bryan, Caldwell, Cypress-Fairbanks, Royal, or Spring ISDs), you will receive a living wage salary and assist in the classroom during the fall semester and clinical teach in the spring semester. A commitment of four (4) consecutive years with the partner district is required.

All candidates must undergo a criminal history background check prior to employment as a teacher. TEA will perform a preliminary background check, for a fee, in the event there may be something on the candidate’s record that may prevent certification eligibility.

Credit for Military or Non-Military Service, Training, or Education: Candidates may be able to apply prior or ongoing military or non-military training or education toward educator preparation program requirements for professional certificates. Such training or education may not count toward internship or practicum requirements and must have been provided by an approved EPP or an accredited institution of higher education within the past five years and be directly related to the certificate being sought. A candidate’s prior coursework will be evaluated by academic advisors and/or TLAC Reading Specialist faculty/staff.

Admission Requirements

• Baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution of higher learning*
  Undergraduate students may apply in the fall semester of their final year
• 2.75 minimum GPA on a 4.0 scale
• Minimum content-area credit hours in preferred certification field
• Zoom meeting with the GCP Associate Program Director prior to application (email janerankin@tamu.edu to schedule an appointment)
• Passing score on a TX Pre-Admission Content (TX PACT) exam
• TAMU Graduate studies application and admission
• Three academic and/or professional references
• Statement of Purpose video

For non-US college/university graduates:

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

Please note that admission to the Graduate Certification Program does not guarantee internship employment.

Teacher Certification

Certifications Offered by the M.Ed. Teacher Certification Program

Teacher Shortage Areas

SEHD Certification Office Educator Preparation Compliance Information

M.ED. Coursework

Because the GCP is a cohort program, students complete their graduate courses in a specific sequence.

Degree Plan

Resources