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Dallas College

Earn a Bachelor of Applied Science in Early Childhood Education and Teaching

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This degree will equip you for a career in education — whether your goal is to teach our earliest learners in early childhood centers or students in PK-12 public schools.

The Dallas College School of Education offers one of the nation’s most affordable and high-quality teacher preparation programs through a “bachelor’s first” certification track. Students earn a Bachelor of Applied Science in Early Childhood Education and Teaching (B.A.S. ECE) while completing a year-long teacher residency, followed by an educator preparation program to meet certification requirements.

With one of the highest four-year graduation rates in Texas at 69%, our program produces skilled teachers for high-need areas, ensuring they are classroom-ready and prepared to make an immediate impact.

Accelerate your career at Dallas College!

Introducing the accelerated pathway for early childhood educators. Get your bachelor's degree and teacher certification faster than ever before.

We know you're busy, so we created an online program for future educators that allows you to take your classes whenever you want. All you need is an internet connection and you're on your way to becoming a certified teacher.

At Dallas College, we adjust to your schedule. We offer online courses during the day, in the evenings, and on the weekends.

Every student is also assigned a senior success coach, a caring professional who can help you enroll, find the right courses, and eventually, get you where you belong, as a lead teacher in your own classroom.

Email us at SOEAdvising@dallascollege.edu. A senior success coach will call you right back, show you how to enroll, and help you start your journey at Dallas College.

 
 

Admissions Process

Follow these steps to become eligible for the most affordable bachelor’s degree in the state of Texas.

  1. Step 1: Apply to Dallas College. You must be a Dallas College student before applying to the B.A.S. ECE program.
  2. Step 2: Submit your B.A.S. Supplemental Application. Once you are a Dallas College student, you must complete and submit the B.A.S. Supplemental Application.
  3. Step 3: Meet with a senior success coach. If you meet all program admission requirements, you will receive an admission letter from the School of Education, and an SOE senior success coach will contact you about the next steps for enrollment.

 

Admission Deadlines

The application is open year-round. However, to start in your desired semester, you should have your application submitted by the following dates:

  • Fall semester due by: July 1
  • Spring semester due by: Nov. 1
  • Summer semester due by: April 1
 

Core Curriculum

Students must be Texas Core-complete before beginning the B.A.S. ECE program. Admission to the B.A.S. ECE program is conditional upon the successful completion of the Core courses.

Degree plan as of Jan. 1, 2023. Check the catalog for the latest version.

Related Links

Program Structure

Our program provides hands-on experience, equipping you with the skills to deliver grade-level instruction, foster inclusive classrooms and accelerate student learning by at least one academic year. You will benefit from dedicated coaching from Dallas College faculty and experienced teacher mentors throughout residency and the intern year.

B.A.S. ECE Program Structure Overview

Lower-Level Program
  • Lower-level coursework includes courses from the 42-hour Texas Core Curriculum and the A.A.T. or A.A.S. program that are contextualized to prepare students for general education teacher certification exams.
  • After completing the 42-hour Texas Core Curriculum, or equivalent program, students can apply for admission to the B.A.S. ECE upper-level program.**​
Upper-Level Program ​
  • Upper-level coursework includes:
    • Junior year courses that combine asynchronous coursework with PreK-6 work-based learning while introducing teacher certification requirements
    • Senior year courses that focus on asynchronous coursework, practical experience and mentorship during a year-long teacher residency using the progression of responsibilities model, and the start of certification preparation.
  • All upper-level courses are structured as a lab course that includes approximately two hours per week (32 hours per semester) in addition to weekly class time for work-based learning opportunities in an elementary or early child care setting.
  • In the final semester of senior year, students can apply to the educator preparation program that’s required for standard certification.
Educator Preparation Program Components
  • Coursework: Six core courses, delivered in a hybrid format and aligned with the Texas Educator Standards beginning after a student obtains a bachelor's degree
  • Certification exam approval and preparation for EC-6 Core, ESL, Bilingual, Special Education and Professional Pedagogy and Responsibilities (PPR)
  • Year-long clinical experience on a state-issued intern certificate with full teacher pay, where the teacher candidate is a full-time teacher of record for one full school year
Program Course Offerings
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  • Upper-level courses for the Bachelor of Science and Educator Preparation Program are offered during the Fall, Spring and Summer semesters aligned to Dallas College’s academic calendar.
  • Residency I & II courses are offered during Fall and Spring semesters.
  • Practicum I & II courses are offered during Fall and Spring semesters. 

**Students interested in the Bachelor of Applied Science in Early Childhood Education program must apply and meet all program requirements to enroll in upper-level courses. Until admission, they may be designated as pre-bachelor’s students. Upon successfully completing an upper-level course, they achieve B.A.S. participant status.

How To Get Started

Ready to take the leap? Complete this interest form to get started.

Fill Out the Interest Form

Not quite ready? Check out our other pathways to teaching, like the Teacher Assistant program.

For more information, please contact SOEAdvising@DallasCollege.edu.

 
 
“The most valuable experience I’ve had is the ability to interact with the teachers who are like me and have had my same experience as a Latina student. It gives me a lot of hope knowing I can provide for my family. There’s opportunity out there, and if I can do this, you can do it, too.”
Kimberly Argueta
Dallas College
School of Education student
 

Frequently Asked Questions