Teacher Education

If a student completes any part of an AAT Field of Study (FOS) curriculum as developed by the Texas Higher Education Board, the FOS courses will be transferred to a Texas public higher educational institution and must be substituted for that institution’s lower division requirements in the degree program leading to initial Texas teacher certification. The student shall receive full academic credit for the transferred FOS courses in the related university degree program leading to initial Texas teacher certification. The following universities have approved the AAT plan below for transfer toward initial Texas teacher certification: Prairie View A&M University, Sam Houston State University, Texas A&M University, Texas Southern University, University of Houston, University of Houston-Downtown, University of Houston-Clear Lake, University of Houston-Victoria, University of St. Thomas and Texas Tech University.

To be eligible for an Associate in Arts (AA), an Associate of Arts in Teaching (AAT), or an Associate in Science (AS) degree from HCC, a student must successfully:

Complete at least 60 semester hours of credit as follows: (a) for the AA degree, 43 hours of required core courses and 17 hours of transferable electives, usually focusing on the student's transfer major (b) for the AAT degree, 44 hours of required core courses plus 16-18 hours of required pre-teaching courses (c) for the AS degree, 43 hours of required core courses plus six additional hours of mathematics, four additional hours of natural science, and 7 hours of transferable electives, usually focusing on the student's transfer major.

A student who has received an associate degree or higher from an accredited institution must meet specific requirements to earn an additional degree from HCC.

• The student must earn a minimum 2.0 GPA on sixty (60) total college-level semester hours, must complete a minimum eighteen (18) hours of coursework in the Houston Community College, must complete TSI requirement unless exempt, and have an application to graduate on file in the Registrar’s office in order to graduate. Students should be aware that some four-year institutions require a minimum 2.50 GPA or higher for entrance into the teacher preparation program. Students should check with the transfer institution for specific requirements.
• The above curriculum is recommended to give students the best preparation for success after transfer in a Teacher certification program. If a student has already taken other courses than the recommended ones above, the following options will also count toward the AAT and toward guaranteed transfer to the university offering the above certifications.
• English literature options: May choose from ENGL 2322, 2323, 2327, 2328, 2332, 2333, 2342, or 2343.
• Mathematics options: May choose MATH 1314, 1332, 1342 or higher. Students should be aware that some four-year institutions require a specific math course. Students should check with the transfer institution for specific requirements.
• Bilingual certification also requires SPAN 2311-2312 (SPAN 2311 has course prerequisites).
• If a student has already taken core curriculum courses differing from the designated AAT courses above, then the student should follow the AA degree plan and the specific university’s transfer plan leading to teacher certification.

There are 37,022 Elementary School Teachers, 17,949 Middle School Teachers, and 23,670 High School Teachers employed in the Greater Houston Area . These number are expected to increase by 18.9% over the next four years.

• The estimated annual job openings is 2826 Elementary, 1,349 Middle School and 1,845 High School jobs a year.
• Median Wages - $24.98 hourly, $52,000 annually

Some online programs may require up to 15% of their curriculum be taken in-person on one of HCC’s campuses.  Please contact your advisor for more information about specific program requirements.

Language Option Restrictions

Some online programs require students to participate in foreign language courses as part of the program’s required curriculum. Please contact your advisor for more information about specific program requirements and available language options. If you would like to take courses in a language that is not offered online, you would have to do so on campus.

Elective Course Restrictions

Some online programs may have a limited number of elective options available, based on which of the designated electives are currently offered online.  Please contact your advisor for more information about specific program requirements.

Required Course Restrictions

Some online programs may require students to participate in one or more campus-based courses as part of a given program’s required curriculum. Please contact your advisor for more information about specific program requirements.  

Potential Course Restrictions

Some online courses may have face-to-face requirements for exams, laboratory sessions, and other activities. Please review your course syllabus to determine if your online course has an on-campus laboratory or examination requirement.