Education

The Associate of Arts in Teaching (AAT) degree is a collegiate degree program consisting of lower-division courses intended for transfer to baccalaureate programs that lead to initial Texas teacher certification. COM offers three AAT curricula, and they are intended to be fully transferable to any Texas public university offering baccalaureate degree programs leading to these initial teacher certifications. Students who complete the AAT degree will, however, be required to meet any and all entrance requirements of the receiving university and the educator preparation program, including grade point average and /or testing requirements. Students are advised to consult with the receiving institution’s advisement staff for requirements unique to that institution.

While the degree is designed for transfer purposes, for those who decide to “stop out” after completing the AAT, this degree meets the “Every Student Succeeds Act” requirements for paraprofessionals. In addition, completion of the AAT is much like that of an Associate of Arts or Associate of Science degree in that it may qualify students for work that requires at least an associate’s degree.

For those courses within an AAT degree that require “lab” and/or “field experiences,” students will be required to submit an application for a criminal background check. If a student has a felony conviction for certain offenses against children and families, they may not be eligible to observe, work, or volunteer in the public schools or child care facilities at which these “labs” and/or “field experiences” will take place.

Effective September 1^, 2017, HB 1508 amends the Texas Occupations Code Section 53 that requires education providers to notify potential or enrolled students that a criminal history may make them ineligible for an occupational license upon program completion. The following website provides links to information about the licensing process and requirements: https://tea.texas.gov

Should you wish to request a review of the impact of criminal history on your potential Associates of Arts in Teaching degree prior to or during your quest for a degree, you can visit the following link and request a “Criminal History Evaluation”:

https://tea.texas.gov/Texas_Educators/Investigations/Preliminary_Criminal_History_Evaluation-FAQs/

This information is being provided to all persons who apply or enroll in the program, with notice of the requirements as described above, regardless of whether or not the person has been convicted of a criminal offense. Additionally, HB 1508 authorizes licensing agencies to require reimbursements when a student fails to receive the required notice.

Full-Time Schedules

Associate of Arts in Teaching - Leading to Initial Texas Teacher Certification 4-8, EC-12 Special Education

Associate of Arts In Teaching - Leading to Initial Texas Teacher Certification 8-12, EC-12, other than Special Education

Associate of Arts in Teaching - Leading to Initial Texas Teacher Certification EC-6

Associate of Arts in Teaching - Leading to Initial Texas Teacher Certification 4-8, EC-12 Special Education

Full-Time Student Schedule

¹ Students should check with an advisor to ensure transferability of Contemporary Math to their receiving content-specific certification program. For cases in which transferability of Contemporary Math cannot be established, students should take College Algebra.

See an advisor to determine the most appropriate academic transfer coursework for your teaching field/choice of upper level university.

Associate of Arts in Teaching: Leading to Initial Texas Teacher Certification EC - 6

Full-Time Student Schedule

See an advisor to determine the most appropriate academic transfer coursework for your teaching field/choice of upper level university.