Overview: A New Pathway to a Teaching Career
Until recently, the educational pathway to a career in teaching was the exclusive domain of four-year colleges and univerisities in Texas. Now, a new pathway is available at North Central Texas College—the Associate of Arts in Teaching (AAT) program. Because community colleges like NCTC are close to home and because they have less stringent admissions requirements, the AAT degree program is more accessible. An important added bonus is that students who begin their pursuit of a teaching certificate through the AAT Degree program can realize truly significant financial savings by completing their first two years of study at NCTC before moving on to a four-year school where tuition is considerably more expensive.

The AAT Degree program offers other signicant advantages as well for those who have their sights on a career in the classroom. “One of the greatest benefits of the AAT degree is the opportunity for students to get field experience their freshman year,” says Emily Klement, acting program director. “Students can learn right away if being a teacher is what they really want to do, and that's usually not the case with traditional university-based teacher education programs."

See PRESS RELEASE about AAT Degree program.

Approved by Texas Higher
Education Coordinating Board
The Associate of Arts in Teaching degree (AAT) is a Texas Higher Education Coordinating 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 as defined by the Coordinating Board is fully transferable to all Texas public universities. Because the AAT fulfills the requirements of the field of study curriculum statutes and Coordinating Board rules, all Texas public universities must accept the AAT curricula if they offer the applicable baccalaureate degrees leading to initial teacher certification. However, students who complete the AAT will be required to meet any and all entrance requirements of the receiving university and the educator preparation program, including grade point averages and/or testing requirements.

Meets Certification Requirements for Teacher Aides
While the AAT degree was designed for transfer purposes, for those students who decide to “stop out” after completing the AAT, this degree meets the No Child Left Behind requirements for teacher aides and other paraprofessionals. In addition, completion of the AAT is much like that of an Associate of Arts or Associate of Applied Science degree in that it may qualify students for work that requires at least an associate’s degree. Substitute teachers would also benefit from the education courses offered in the degree program.

Compete the AAT at NCTC, Then Transfer
Students are encouraged to complete the requirements of the AAT degree at North Central Texas College before transferring to another college or university to complete a baccalaureate degree.

Suggested Course of Study
For the Associate of Arts in Teaching (AAT)
For transfer to baccalaureate program leading to Initial Texas Teacher Certification in
EC—4(Early Childhood Specialization) or EC—4 to 8 Generalist tracks only. The AAT degree at North Central Texas College will include the 43-hour core component that is common to the Associate in Arts and Associate in Science degrees already offered by NCTC and additional course work specific to each certification area.

Course Descriptions

TECA1303 - Family and Community
An introduction course for the teaching profession. Focus is on effective ways for home, school and community to contribute to the optimal development of a child and the role of schools in a democratic society. Field experience required: 15 hours.

TECA1311 - Introduction to Early Childhood Education
An introduction to the education of the young child, including developmentally appropriate practices and programs, theoretical historical perspectives, ethics and current issues.

TECA1318 - Nutrition, Health & Safety of Young Children
A study of the factors that impact the well-being of the young child including healthy behavior, food, nutrition, fitness and safety practices. Requires students to participate in a minimum of 15 hours of field experiences with children from infancy through age 12 in a variety of settings with varied and diverse populations.

TECA1354 - Growth and Development of Children
A study of the physical, emotional, social and cognitive factors impacting growth and development of children through adolescence.

EDUC1301 - Introduction to the Teaching Profession
An introduction to the teaching profession and the role of the school in a democratic society. Field experience required: 30 hours of field-based activities, 15 of which must be observation hours in EC — 8 schools.

EDUC2301 - Introduction to Special Populations
A study of etiology and concepts relating to exceptional individuals. Overview of the unique physical, cognitive and behavioral needs of exceptional learners. Field experience required: 30 hours of field-based activities; 15 of which must be observation hours in EC — 8 schools.

Contact Information:

Brenda Gordon, Educational Outreach Director

• Office: Corith Campus
• Phone: 940-498-6286
• Email: bgordon@nctc.edu

Tiffany Tyler, Department Assistant

• Office: Corinth - Room 331
• Phone: 940-498-6282 Ext. 6296
• Email: ttyler@nctc.edu