Department of Teaching, Learning and Culture

The Department of Teaching, Learning and Culture is responsible for undergraduate programs that lead to certification at the early childhood/elementary, middle and secondary levels. Note these exceptions: 

  • Students interested in teaching agricultural science must major in the Department of Agricultural Education;
  • Students interested in secondary certification can be certified through the secondary graduate certification program or the aggieTEACH program.

Early Childhood/Elementary or Middle Grades Certification

Baccalaureate Degree Programs. Most students interested in early childhood/elementary (PreK–6) or middle school (4–8) certification pursue a program leading to the Bachelor of Science degree (BS) with a major in Education. The EDUC degree certification programs prepare students for the many diverse instructional roles assumed by public school teachers. A minimum of 123 credit hours is required for the EDUC degree. Within this program, students may focus on:

  • Early Childhood (PreK–Grade 6);
  • Middle School (Grades 4–8 Math and Science); or
  • Middle School (Grades 4–8 English Language Arts and Social Studies).

For complete information, see an advisor in the Department of Teaching, Learning and Culture’s Office of Undergraduate Advising in Harrington Tower (EDCT 111).

Eligibility. Students must meet the requirements for a bachelor’s degree in the college and the department in which they are majoring. Further, they must meet specific admission and performance standards established by the Department of Teaching, Learning and Culture as well as requirements for professional education and certification established by the State of Texas. These requirements include admission to teacher education, admission to clinical teaching and qualification for initial certification. It is the responsibility of the student to contact the Department of Teaching, Learning and Culture’s Office of Undergraduate Advising for specific information pertaining to program changes.

Please see an advisor in the Department of Teaching, Learning and Culture Office of Undergraduate Advising for current information.

Requirements for Admission to Teaching Education

Early Childhood/Elementary and Middle Grades Education Program

  • Pass the THEA, ACCUPLACER, ASSET or COMPASS test or show proof of exemption from the test with appropriate STAAR, SAT or ACT scores.
  • Completion of a minimum 45 hours of pre-professional coursework from degree program (includes University Core Curriculum courses).
  • Completion of a minimum of 32 hours of University Core Curriculum courses with no grade lower than a C.
  • Completion of TEFB 273 and INST 210  with a grade of B or higher (equivalent courses from a community college may be substituted), two three-hour core MATH and two four-hour Life and Physical Sciences core courses.
  • Completion of Communications Core Course with no grade lower than a C. 
  • A GPA of 2.75 on all coursework on a degree plan with no grade lower than a C.
  • Transcripts for all institutions of higher education on file in the Texas A&M University Office of the Registrar.
  • Approved and signed degree plan on file in the Advising Office of the Department of Teaching, Learning and Culture.

These requirements must be seen as minimum standards only. Successful fulfillment of all of the above requirements does not guarantee admission to the program. Admission also depends upon the number of places available and the number of applications received each year. If more qualified students apply than the available number of spaces, admission may be based on selection factors at the time of application, such as GPA in pre-professional courses, number of hours needed to complete the program, and enrollment in prerequisite courses.

 Secondary Certification Pathways

Two routes leading to initial teacher certification at the secondary level are available. These include the aggieTEACH program and the graduate certification program. Information is available from the TLAC advising office.

 Requirements for Admission to Clinical Teaching

  • Complete a clinical teaching application by the given deadlines and complete all coursework prior to Clinical 3. Students must see their advisors for deadlines.
  • Admission to teacher education.
  • Completion of all courses listed on the degree plan. All Education and professional courses with a grade of C or better.
  • All certification coursework must be completed. Each emphasis/teaching field must have a grade of C or better in each course with a minimum GPA of 2.75 in teacher emphasis/teaching field.
  • ENGL 103 or ENGL 104 must be completed with a grade of C or better.
  • A minimum of 2.50 on all coursework completed at Texas A&M.
  • A minimum of 2.75 on all coursework that applies to the degree plan, taken at Texas A&M.
  • A minimum of 2.75 on all coursework that applies to the emphasis/teaching field, taken at Texas A&M.

Aldemir, Tugce, Assistant Professor
Teaching, Learning & Culture
PHD, Pennsylvania State University, 2021

Ashley, Candice R, Lecturer
Teaching, Learning & Culture
PHD, Capella University, 2014

Barrett, Julie, Lecturer
Teaching, Learning & Culture
EDD, Sam Houston State University, 2013

Cantrell, Emily S, Clinical Associate Professor
Teaching, Learning & Culture
PHD, Texas A&M University, 2008

Craig, Cheryl J, Professor
Teaching, Learning & Culture
PHD, University of Alberta, Canada, 1992

Davis, Trina J, Associate Professor
Teaching, Learning & Culture
PHD, Texas A&M University, 2005

Etchells, Matthew, Lecturer
Teaching, Learning & Culture
PHD, Texas A&M University, 2018

Fields, Susan S, Clinical Assistant Professor
Teaching, Learning & Culture
EDD, Boston University, 2017

Fleming, Kenneth J, Instructional Assistant Professor
Teaching, Learning & Culture
PHD, Texas A&M University, 2017

Gerde, Hope, Professor
Teaching, Learning & Culture
PHD, Purdue University, 2008

Gibson, Vicki, Professor of Practice
Teaching, Learning & Culture
PHD, Texas A&M University, 1995

Goodrich, John, Assistant Professor
Teaching, Learning & Culture
PHD, Florida State University, 2015

Griffith, Karee, Lecturer
Teaching, Learning & Culture
PHD, University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, 1993

Hawk, Nathan, Clinical Assistant Professor
Teaching, Learning & Culture
PHD, The Ohio State University, 2021

Herman, Benjamin, Associate Professor
Teaching, Learning & Culture
PHD, Iowa State University, 2010

Hernandez, Paul, Associate Professor
Teaching, Learning & Culture
PHD, University of Connecticut, 2011

Hutchins, Shaun D, Clinical Associate Professor
Teaching, Learning & Culture
PHD, Colorado State University, 2015

Hyunyi Jung, Associate Professor
Teaching, Learning & Culture
PHD, Purdue University, 2015

James-Gallaway, ArCasia, Assistant Professor
Teaching, Learning & Culture
PHD, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, 2020

Johnson, Marcus, Associate Professor
Teaching, Learning & Culture
PHD, University of Texas at Austin, 2017

Jolly, Ashley G, Lecturer
Teaching, Learning & Culture
MED, Sam Houston State University, 2007

Joshi, R M, Professor
Teaching, Learning & Culture
PHD, University of South Carolina, 1976

Katz, Claire, Professor and Department Head
Teaching, Learning & Culture
PHD, University of Memphis, 1999

Kipp, Andrew, Clinical Assistant Professor
Teaching, Learning & Culture
EDD, Kansas State University, 2022

Kogut, Ashlynn, Associate Professor
Teaching, Learning & Culture
PHD, Texas A&M Univerisity, 2021

Kuo, Li-Jen, Associate Professor
Teaching, Learning & Culture
PHD, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2006

Kwok, Andrew, Assistant Professor
Teaching, Learning & Culture
PHD, University of Michigan, 2016

Kwok, Michelle, Assistant Professor
Teaching, Learning & Culture
PHD, University of Michigan, 2016

Leichtle-Chalklen, Warren, Lecturer
Teaching, Learning & Culture
PHD, Texas A&M University, 2015

Li, Yeping, Professor
Teaching, Learning & Culture
PHD, University of Pittsburgh, 1999

Matthews, Sharon D, Clinical Associate Professor
Teaching, Learning & Culture
PHD, New Mexico State University, 2007

McKeown, Debra, Associate Professor
Teaching, Learning & Culture
PHD, Vanderbilt University, 2012

Ogletree, Quinita D, Clinical Assistant Professor
Teaching, Learning & Culture
PHD, Texas A&M University, 2012

Olson, Joanne K, Professor
Teaching, Learning & Culture
PHD, University of Southern California, 1999

Palma, Jose, Assistant Professor
Teaching, Learning & Culture
PHD, University of Minnesota, 2021

Parker, Dawn R, Clinical Professor
Teaching, Learning & Culture
PHD, Texas A&M University, 1997

Patron-Vargas, Jasmin, Assistant Professor
Teaching, Learning & Culture
PHD, Michigan State University, 2022

Perez, Gustavo, Clinical Assistant Professor
Teaching, Learning & Culture
MED, University of Texas Pan American, 2010

Pikus, Arianna, Assistant Professor
Teaching, Learning & Culture
PHD, Michigan State University, 2023

Pittman, Ramona, Associate Professor
Teaching, Learning & Culture
PHD, Texas A&M University, 2007
PHD, Texas A&M University-San Antonio, 2007

Quek, Francis, Professor
Teaching, Learning & Culture
PHD, University of Michigan, 1990

Quinn, Margaret, Associate Professor
Teaching, Learning & Culture
PHD, Georgia State University, 2017

Rackley, Robin A, Clinical Professor
Teaching, Learning & Culture
PHD, Texas A&M University, 2004

Rambo-Hernandez, Karen, Associate Professor
Teaching, Learning & Culture
PHD, University of Connecticut, 2011

Rife, Kimberly G, Lecturer
Teaching, Learning & Culture
MED, Texas A&M University, 2016

Rupley, William H, Professor
Teaching, Learning & Culture
PHD, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1975

Sansom, Rebecca, Assistant Professor
Teaching, Learning & Culture
PHD, Brigham Young University, 2019

Shumbera, Kristen L, Lecturer
Teaching, Learning & Culture
MS, University of Florida, 2007

Simpson, Claudine L, Lecturer
Teaching, Learning & Culture
PHD, Texas A&M University, 2005

Singer, Shaunta, Lecturer
Teaching, Learning & Culture
PHD, University of Virginia, 2008

Singleton, Julie A, Clinical Associate Professor
Teaching, Learning & Culture
PHD, Texas A&M University, 2011

Slattery Jr, George P, Professor
Teaching, Learning & Culture
PHD, Louisiana State University, 1989

Su-Keene, Eleanor, Assistant Professor
Teaching, Learning & Culture
MS, University of Nevada at Reno, 2014

Svajda-Hardy, Megan, Lecturer
Teaching, Learning & Culture
PHD, Texas A&M University, 2022

Taylor, Bart, Lecturer
Teaching, Learning & Culture
MED, Lamar University, 2011

Thomas, Rebecca S, Lecturer
Teaching, Learning & Culture
MED, Texas A&M University, 1998

Viruru, Radhika, Clinical Professor
Teaching, Learning & Culture
PHD, Texas A&M University, 1998

WAKEFIELD, JODIE, Lecturer
Teaching, Learning & Culture
MED, Texas A&M University, 2010

Wijekumar, Kausalai, Professor
Teaching, Learning & Culture
PHD, The Pennsylvania State University, 2000

Wilkins, Gwendolyn M, Lecturer
Teaching, Learning & Culture
PHD, Texas A&M University, 2018

Williams, John, Assistant Professor
Teaching, Learning & Culture
PHD, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, 2019

Williams, Kamala, Lecturer
Teaching, Learning & Culture
PHD, Texas A&M University, 2010

Yalvac, Bugrahan, Associate Professor
Teaching, Learning & Culture
PHD, Pennsylvania State University, 2005

Young, Jamaal, Associate Professor
Teaching, Learning & Culture
PHD, Texas A&M University, 2011

Young, Jemimah, Associate Professor
Teaching, Learning & Culture
PHD, Texas A&M University, 2013