Education

Chair

Dr. Rebecca Morris
Miller Administration Building
Carthage, Texas 75633
(903) 693-2014

The Associate of Arts in Teaching (AAT) degree is a Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board-approved (THECB) collegiate degree program. It consists of lower-division (community college) courses intended for transfer to baccalaureate programs that lead to initial Texas teacher certification.

It is the responsibility of each student to know the specific requirements of the college or university to which he or she plans to transfer. This responsibility includes knowing course requirements, assessments, number of credit hours accepted, and required grade point average for admission. Each AAT candidate is strongly encouraged to contact the teacher preparation advisor prior to enrolling in courses required for the AAT.

Should students decide to complete the AAT degree and not transfer to a baccalaureate program, this degree meets the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)Title 1, part A Paraprofessional/Educational Aide requirements. In addition, completion of the AAT degree is much like that of an Associate of Arts or Associate of Science degree in that it may qualify candidates for work that requires a minimum of an associate degree.

Field Experience

Some courses required for completion of the AAT degree include a field experience component. Field experience is state-mandated; therefore, neither Panola College nor the instructors have the power to grant an exemption. Information regarding the required documentation for field experience is included in course materials. Field experience is an invaluable component of the AAT degree as well as the overall learning experience. It gives the AAT candidate the opportunity to learn in a public school setting or in an early childcare facility.

In accordance with the Texas Education Code and/or rules published by the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, a Criminal History Check (CHC) will be conducted on each student enrolled in a course at Panola College that requires field experience at a public school or early childcare facility. If criminal history check requirements are not met, the AAT candidate will not be allowed to complete the required field experience component. Any additional requirements with regard to field experience must be satisfied as required by the public school. Fees are the responsibility of the AAT candidate.

AAT Curricula

Students who fully complete this course of study will be eligible to apply for the Associate of Arts in Teaching degree at Panola College. Three AAT curricula, which include a maximum of 60 semester credit hours (SCH) of coursework, are available.

EC-6
4-8, EC-12 Special Education
6-12, 7-12, 8-12, EC-12 Other than Special Education

Texas Teacher Certifications

Students working on the 6-12, 7-12, 8-12, EC-12 Other than Special Education AAT
degree plan are required to take nine hours of certificate area electives.
- Texas Teacher Certification Areas
  - https://reportcenter.highered.texas.gov/agency-
    publication/miscellaneous/waar-aat-curricula-2009-revision/
- Panola College Elective Courses per Certification Area
  - https://www.panola.edu/education

Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board

The information below is provided by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (https://www.highered.texas.gov/).

Note: Completion of an AAT does not necessarily guarantee admission to a university teacher education program. Any additional requirements with regard to grade point average and assessments (i.e., Texas Higher Education Assessment or its equivalents) must be satisfied as required by the receiving university.