AAT Teaching Preparations

TEACHING. . . the profession that creates all others!

If your answer is "yes" to the above questions then the Associate of Arts in Teaching Degree may be the beginning of your future career.

Texas school districts needed more than 45,000 teachers this year. This figure is rising every year with the increase in student enrollment and the attrition of experienced teachers.

This degree program is Texas state-board approved consisting of lower-division courses intended for transfer to baccalaureate programs that lead to initial Texas teacher certification.

There are two degree plans:

The Associate of Arts in Teaching (AAT) degree is a State Board-Approved collegiate degree program consisting of lower-division courses intended for transfer to baccalaureate programs that lead to initial Texas teacher certification. The AAT degree is fully transferable to any Texas public university offering baccalaureate degree programs leading to initial teacher certification.

The AAT is fully sanctioned by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board as a field of study for students interested in pursuing a degree in education which will lead to teacher certification. It offers an avenue to "grow our own" future teachers in an effort to help the shortage of teachers in Texas. Some courses within the AAT programs require students to complete hours of field experience and observation in P-12 classrooms. Students will be responsible for completing background checks prior to being admitted in to observe classrooms. Transportation to and from P-12 classrooms is the responsibility of the student.

AAT 1-Grades EC-6, 4-8, Special Education EC-12

NOTE: Criminal history MAY disqualify individuals from volunteering, substitute teaching, and/or obtaining or maintaining teaching certifications. The State Board of Educator Certification (SBEC) requires all applicants to submit fingerprints for a national criminal history background check. This includes applicants for a:

  • Standard teaching certificate
  • Probationary certificate
  • Educational aide certificate
  • One-year certificate
  • Temporary teaching certificate
  • Permit

Individuals who have been convicted of an offense or placed on probation might not be eligible to volunteer, substitute teach, or become certified by the Texas SBEC even after completing an educational or training program. SBEC's criminal history guidelines are available at: https://tea.texas.gov/texas-educators/investigations/fingerprinting/fingerprinting-for-certificate-applicants

The Associate of Arts in Teaching (AAT) degree is a State Board-Approved collegiate degree program consisting of lower-division courses intended for transfer to baccalaureate programs that lead to initial Texas teacher certification. The AAT degree is fully transferable to any Texas public university offering baccalaureate degree programs leading to initial teacher certification.

The AAT is fully sanctioned by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board as a field of study for students interested in pursuing a degree in education which will lead to teacher certification. It offers an avenue to "grow our own" future teachers in an effort to help the shortage of teachers in Texas. Some courses within the AAT programs require students to complete hours of field experience and observation in P-12 classrooms. Students will be responsible for completing background checks prior to being admitted in to observe classrooms. Transportation to and from P-12 classrooms is the responsibility of the student.

AAT 2 - Grades 8-12, EC-12

NOTE: Criminal history MAY disqualify individuals from volunteering, substitute teaching, and/or obtaining or maintaining teaching certifications. The State Board of Educator Certification (SBEC) requires all applicants to submit fingerprints for a national criminal history background check. This includes applicants for a:

  • Standard teaching certificate
  • Probationary certificate
  • Educational aide certificate
  • One-year certificate
  • Temporary teaching certificate
  • Permit

Individuals who have been convicted of an offense or placed on probation might not be eligible to volunteer, substitute teach, or become certified by the Texas SBEC even after completing an educational or training program. SBEC's criminal history guidelines are available at: https://tea.texas.gov/texas-educators/investigations/fingerprinting/fingerprinting-for-certificate-applicants