Associate of Arts in Teaching
Associate of Arts in Teaching
An Associate of Arts in Teaching is a specialized academic associate degree program designed to transfer in its entirety to a baccalaureate program that leads to initial Texas teacher certification. This Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board approved collegiate degree offers a structured, two–year program to gain an initial understanding of theories and methods in educational instruction. View Handbook
Teacher education is offered for early childhood-through-sixth grade, fourth-through-eighth grade, and eighth-through-12th grade. Our partnership with Texas Tech University also provides a faster track to your teaching degree through the TechTeach Program.
4-8 Grade Levels
8-12 Grade Levels
EC-6 Grade Levels
Transfer information
The A.A.T. degrees include the first two years of coursework required by many colleges and universities for a bachelor’s degree. Consult with an academic advisor about transfer requirements for specific institutions.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What is the Associate of Arts in Teaching (AAT) degree?
The Associate of Arts in Teaching (AAT) degree is a Board–approved collegiate degree program consisting of lower–division courses that transfer to baccalaureate programs leading to initial Texas teacher certification.
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Will the AAT transfer?
The AAT degree as defined by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, is fully transferable to all Texas public universities. Because the AAT fulfills the requirements of the field of study curriculum statutes and Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board rules, all Texas public universities must accept the three AAT curricula if they offer the applicable baccalaureate degrees leading to initial teacher certification.
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Are AAT completers automatically admitted to an educator preparation program or are they expected to meet the admission criteria of the public university?
Students who complete the AAT are required to meet entrance requirements of the receiving university and the educator preparation program, including grade point average and/or testing requirements.
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If a student completes the AAT and does not transfer to a baccalaureate program, for what jobs would the student be eligible?
The AAT degree is designed for transfer purposes. Some students decide to stop out after completing the degree. The AAT meets the educational requirements for educational aides and substitute teachers. 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 minimally require an associate degree.
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Do the AAT courses count for substitute teachers?
Substitute teachers who are completing their undergraduate degrees are eligible to take the AAT courses as needed and/or appropriate.
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Can core curriculum courses be prescribed by the public universities for students in educator preparation programs?
Texas public universities can prescribe specific courses to satisfy core curriculum requirements. However, this should be done in cooperation with the university’s community/state college partners, be in compliance with the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board rules concerning core curriculum, and articulated as appropriate.
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When did the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) approve the AAT degree and the subsequent revisions?
The three AAT curricula were adopted by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board at its quarterly meeting July 15, 2004. Changes to the AAT curricula were adopted by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board at its quarterly meeting April 30, 2009.