High Need Fields
We Need You!
Are you looking for a career that provides the opportunity to help others and every day on the job is different from the last? A career as a teacher may be just for you. A position in education also provides a stable job that is always in demand. There is a critical shortage of teachers, not only in Texas, but nationwide as well. In a recent report released called The Urban Teacher Challenge Report, close to 100 percent of the school districts surveyed in the state of Texas demonstrated an urgent need for teachers in at least one high-need subject area. The high-need fields are math, science, special education, foreign language, English as a second language, and technical applications. 82.5 percent of these districts allow non-credentialed teachers in the classroom because of the continuing shortage of teachers.
So, what does this shortage and increase of students mean to you? Simply, it means that there is a home for you in the College of Education and Human Development at Texas A&M University. Texas needs good teachers that have both an interest in their teaching field and the dedication to work with young people. In a time of economic uncertainty, students can find a career with multiple opportunities with a degree in education.
There is currently a critical shortage in the following teaching fields in Texas: Math, Science, Special Education, Foreign Language and Bilingual Education. As a result, Texas A&M has designed the following programs to help students pursue a career in these high-need fields.
Secondary Certification
There is a critical shortage of teachers prepared to work in grades 8-12. Specifically, districts are finding it hard to find qualified teachers preapred to teach Math, Science and other high-need fields at the secondary level. Find out more about Texas A&M's Secondary Certification Programs and see if this is the right field for you.
Middle Grades Education
There is currently a shortage of qualified Middle Grades teachers. The Middle Grades Program offers certification in two strands: Language Arts/Social Studies Specialist and Mathematics / Science Specialist. It is a field-based program, with students spending extensive time in middle schools. Credit hours required for graduation in the Language Arts / Social Studies Strand total 130-134 credit hours. Credit hours required for graduation in the Mathematics/Science Strand total 133-134 credit hours. To enter either strand, you must first be admitted to Teacher Education. For more information on these programs, visit the Department of Teaching, Learning and Culture.
* Students in the teacher education program can join the Texas State Teachers Association - Student Program (TSTA-SP). TSTA-SP is a student-led version of TSTA, which is for certified teachers, and is also affiliated with the National Education Association (NEA), which is 2.7 million members strong nationwide. This organization educates future teachers on the latest issues within Texas legislation and advocates for changes in laws, new testing methods, and improved ways of communication between parents, teachers, students, and communities. TSTA-SP also serves as a network for pre-service educators by coming together to share ideas, thoughts, and concerns about current issues in Texas schools. For more information, visit the TSTA-SP Website.
aggieTEACH Math/Science Certification Program
As you are well aware, the need for qualified Math and Science teachers in the state of Texas is at an all time high. Institutions of higher education have been challenged to meet the need for educator shortages in the state. The College of Science at Texas A&M University, in conjunction with the College of Education and Human Development, has taken the initiative to create aggieTEACH - formerly known as the Math and Science Scholars Program. MASS is designed to recruit and prepare entering freshman to be the next generation of Math and Science Educators. The program utilizes a field-based approach to math and science education that features hands-on teaching strategies in local secondary classrooms with some of the area's best master teachers. Students seeking certification graduate with the same number of hours as any other major and receive a degree in one of the four areas of specialization: biology, chemistry, mathematics or physics.
If you are a talented freshman who wants to explore the option of a future in teaching, even if it is secondary to the pursuit of professional or graduate school, you are encouraged to visit the aggieTEACH website for more information regarding your options.
Special Education
A career in special education enables educators to greatly impact the lives of students with disabilities in a wide variety of settings. Special educators provide services and support through general education classrooms, individual tutoring, self-contained classrooms, hospitals, homes, and institutions. It is critical to realize that each individual student is unique and has different needs, and special educators design instruction, materials, and goals to match the needs of each individual child.
The Special Education Program at Texas A&M University certifies students to teach in a special education environment for grades Pre-Kindergarten through the twelfth grade, and in a general education environment for grades first through sixth grade. This emphasis entails courses that focus directly on preparing educators to teach students with diverse needs. Some of the courses include:
- Instructional Design for Students with Disabilities
- Instructional Strategies for Students with Disabilities
- Assessment of Students with Disabilities
- Reading for Students with Disabilities
- Education and Employment Issues in Secondary Special Education
- Classroom Management and Behavioral Interventions
- Student Teaching in Special Education
- Effective Instruction for Students of Diverse Abilities
* The Department of Educational Psychology has student organizations you can join once in one of their programs. The Student Council for Exceptional Children (SCEC) is a division of the international organization of Council for Exceptional Children (CEC). SCEC is a way for interested students to become more involved at Texas A&M serving and learning about individuals with exceptionalities as well as the professional field of Special Education.
Bilingual Teacher Certification
The Bilingual Program's undergraduate degree is designed to address the high need area of bilingual teachers in Texas and in the nation as a whole. It prepare teachers (Spanish/ English) to work with linguistically diverse children and their families. Undergraduate bilingual majors will develop strong knowledge and skills related to curriculum, content, and teaching/ assessment methodologies that will provide challenging educational experiences for all second language learners. For more information please visit the Language Diversity Network.
* The Bilingual Education Student Organization (BESO) is closely involved in serving as an advocate for language minority students to maintain their native language and master English while succeeding academically. They work to promote awareness both on campus and in the community of Bilingual Education and its benefits. Discover how you can join BESO by visiting their website.
* For a complete listing of all student organizations in the College of Education & Human Development visit the Student Organization website.
