For more information, visit the Dallas College School of Education webpage and your success coach at your campus.
This is an example course sequence for students interested in pursuing the baccalaureate degree in Early Childhood Education and Teaching. It does not represent a contract, nor does it guarantee course availability. Following this pathway will help you earn a Bachelor of Applied Science (B.A.S.) degree in Early Childhood Education and Teaching (ECE). Students must earn at least 25% of the credit hours (30 hours) required for graduation through instruction by Dallas College. See the catalog for official degree requirements. This pathway will also provide an opportunity to apply for admissions into the Dallas College Educator Preparation Program (EPP) to earn a Texas teaching certificate. Please note the EPP is pending approval from the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) and, the Texas Education Agency (TEA). If approved, students will be eligible to apply for program admissions and, enroll in program coursework as early as fall 2021.
The B.A.S. ECE degree program is focused on preparing students to teach young children from birth to third grade. The B.A.S. ECE recognizes the critical development that occurs for children in those early years – a period that lays the foundation needed for lifelong learning. Therefore, the B.A.S. ECE is intentionally focused on developing early childhood educators for Dallas County. B.A.S. ECE graduates will be prepared to provide early learners with intentional experiences and responsive relationships while helping close the achievement gap for lower-income children.
Students who complete this degree will be prepared to seek careers as lead classroom teachers, teacher aides, or program specialists in early childhood education private school settings, afterschool programs, and early childhood centers such as Early Head Start, Head Start, non-profit preschools, and private infant/toddler programs. Upon approval from the SBEC and the TEA, the program will also offer students a pathway towards the Texas teacher certificate through the Dallas College EPP.
Transfer options into the B.A.S. ECE program are also available for students who have associate degrees. This pathway is for students pursuing the A.A.S. Child Development/Early Childhood Education pathway. Transfer options are also available to students pursuing an A.A.T. pathway and should follow the AAT-BAS Track. Students that are currently in an A.A.S. pathway should speak with their success coach about completing their associate's degrees in the pursuit of a bachelor's degree.

Catalog Year 2021-2022 You may use this pathway if you entered Dallas College on or before this date.
Degree Type Bachelor of Applied Science
GPA Requirement Student must earn a GPA of 2.75 or higher for all upper-level courses
TSI Must be Complete
SEMESTER-BY-SEMESTER MAP FOR FULL-TIME STUDENTS
All plans can be modified to fit the needs of part-time students. This is not an official degree plan. See the catalog for official degree requirements.
BAS DEGREE MINIMUM: 120 SEMESTER CREDIT HOURS
SEMESTER 1
CDEC 1311 – Educating Young Children (Course also applies to CD1)
CDEC 1319 – Child Guidance (Course also applies to CD1)
CDEC 1354 – Child Growth and Development (Course also applies to CD1)
CDEC 1321 – The Infant and Toddler
CDEC 1318 – Wellness of the Young Child (Course also applies to CD1)
SEMESTER 1 ACTION ITEMS
- Meet with your success coach to confirm academic and career goals before the end of the semester.
- Meet with your success coach to research your career options and opportunities for job shadowing.
- Meet with a faculty advisor or success coach regarding placement for the Cooperative Education course.
Total Hours: 15
SEMESTER 2
ENGL 1301 – Composition I This is a Core course. Must earn a grade of C or higher.
SPCH 1311 – Introduction to Speech Communication This is a Core course.
CDEC 1323 – Observation and Assessment (Course also applies to CD1)
CDEC 1359 – Children with Special Needs* (Course also applies to CD1)
CDEC 1303 – Families, School and Community* (Course also applies to CD1)
* This course counts toward the Child Development Elective course within the Child Development/Early Childhood Education Certificate. Students pursuing the CD1 Certificate should still consult the advising guide of the campus (Brookhaven or Eastfield) you are attending for guidance on appropriate elective courses for your career goals.
SEMESTER 2 ACTION ITEMS
- Meet with your success coach to file an official program of study audit, confirm or update your academic/career path.
Meet with a faculty advisor or success coach regarding placement for the Internship course.
Total Hours: 15
SEMESTER 3
CDEC 2165 – Practicum-Child Care Provider/Assistant Consult your success coach for appropriate course selection.
CDEC 1356 – Emergent Literacy for Early Childhood* (Course also applies to CD1)
CDEC 1413 – Curriculum Resources for Early Childhood Programs Consult your success coach for appropriate course selection. (Course also applies to CD1)
GOVT 2305 – Federal Government This is a Core course.
CDEC 13XX or 23XX Elective**
* This course counts toward the Child Development Elective course within the Child Development/Early Childhood Education Certificate. Students pursuing the CD1 Certificate should still consult the advising guide of the campus (Brookhaven or Eastfield) you are attending for guidance on appropriate elective courses for your career goals.
** Child Development Elective must:
Be chosen from the following: CDEC 1317, CDEC 1341, CDEC 1343, CDEC 1358, CDEC 1395, CDEC 1396, CDEC 2304, CDEC 2307, CDEC 2315, CDEC 2322, CDEC 2324, CDEC 2326, CDEC 2328, CDEC 2336, CDEC 2340, CDEC 2341.
Be selected with guidance on appropriate elective courses for your career goals. Contact the Child Development/Early Childhood Education Success Coach or Program Chair if you need more guidance.
SEMESTER 3 ACTION ITEMS
- Meet with your success coach to apply for the Child Development/Early Childhood Education Certificate Completion.
- Meet with a faculty advisor or success coach regarding placement for the Internship course and for assistance in preparing for job search.
- Meet with a faculty advisor or success coach regarding entrance into the Educator Preparation Program. (Pending SBEC & TEA Approval)
Total Hours: 14
SEMESTER 4
CDEC 2388 – Internship–Child Care Provider/Assistant Consult your success coach for appropriate course selection.
BIOL 1408 – Biology for Non-Science Majors I This is a Core course. Must earn a grade of C or higher.
CHOOSE ONE:
- ARTS 1301 – Art Appreciation This is a Core course.
- HUMA 1315 – Fine Arts Appreciation This is a Core course.
- MUSI 1306 – Music Appreciation This is a Core course.
CDEC 13XX or
23XX Elective**
CDEC 13XX or
23XX Elective**
** Child Development Elective must:
Be chosen from the following: CDEC 1317, CDEC 1341, CDEC 1343, CDEC 1358, CDEC 1395, CDEC 1396, CDEC 2304, CDEC 2307, CDEC 2315, CDEC 2322, CDEC 2324, CDEC 2326, CDEC 2328, CDEC 2336, CDEC 2340, CDEC 2341.
Be selected with guidance on appropriate elective courses for your career goals. Contact the Child Development/Early Childhood Education Success Coach or Program Chair if you need more guidance.
SEMESTER 4 ACTION ITEMS
- Meet with a faculty advisor or success coach regarding entrance into the Educator Preparation Program. (Pending SBEC & TEA Approval)
- If you are in an associate degree pathway (A.A.S.) meet with your success coach about completing the degree requirements (and apply for graduation) in pursuit of the B.A.S. ECE degree
- Begin familiarizing and preparing yourself for the required EPP entrance exams. (Pending SBEC & TEA Approval)
- Meet with the teacher preparation department to discuss internship opportunities required for upper-level coursework.
- Meet with your success coach to declare your program of study in the B.A.S. ECE.
Total Hours: 16
SEMESTER 5
MATH 1314 – College Algebra This is a Core course. Must earn a grade of C or higher.
ENGL 1302 – Composition II This is a Core course.
CHOOSE ONE:
- GEOL 1401 – Earth Sciences for Non-Science Majors I This is a Core course.
- GEOL 1403 – Physical Geology This is a Core course.
GOVT 2306 – Texas Government
This is a Core course.
HIST 1301 – United States History I
This is a Core course.SEMESTER 5 ACTION ITEMS
- Meet with your success coach to confirm academic and career goals before the end of the semester.
- Meet with your success coach to research your career options and opportunities for job shadowing.
Meet with a faculty advisor or success coach regarding placement for the Cooperative Education course.
Total Hours: 16
SEMESTER 6
MATH 1350 – Mathematics for Teachers I (Fundamentals of Mathematics I) Taken in the 1st 5 or 8 Weeks
HIST 1302 – United States History II This is a Core course.
CHOOSE ONE:
MATH 1351 – Mathematics for Teachers II (Fundamentals of Mathematics II)
Taken in the 2nd 5 or 8 WeeksSEMESTER 6 ACTION ITEMS
- Meet with your success coach to apply for the Dallas College Educator Preparation Program. More information about the Dallas College Educator Preparation Program can be found here.
Total Hours: 13
SEMESTER 7 MARKS BEGINNING OF THE EDUCATOR PREPARATION PROGRAM
Prerequisites & Restrictions apply: Concurrent enrollment and acceptance into the Educator Preparation Program (EPP) is required or consent of department dean. A minimum of a 2.75 GPA is required for all upper-level courses in the B.A.S. ECE program. Additional course-specific prerequisites may apply. Please note the EPP is pending approval from the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) and, the Texas Education Agency (TEA). If approved, students will be eligible to apply for program admissions and, enroll in program coursework as early as fall 2021.
SEMESTER 7
EDEL 3318 – Methods of Teaching Geometry Prerequisite: Requires a "C" or better in MATH 1350 and MATH 1351.
EDLL 3305 – Foundations in Reading Instruction: The Science of Teaching Reading
EDEL 4301 – Methods of Teaching Social Studies
EDEL 4302 – Methods of Teaching Elementary Science
EDEL 4303 – Methods of Teaching Elementary Mathematics
SEMESTER 7 ACTION ITEMS
- Meet with the teacher preparation department to apply for a student teaching placement.
- Begin preparing and register for PPR Exam
Register for teacher job fairs and meet with teacher preparation department to complete the hiring checklist
Total Hours: 15
SEMESTER 8
EDEC 3303 – Child & Adolescent Guidance This course is used to fulfill (CB 090) Core requirement.
EDEC 3305 – Prenatal and Infant Development This course is used to fulfill (CB 080) Core requirement.
EDEL 4311 – Student Teaching/Clinical Apprenticeship I Prerequisite: EDEC 3302. Special approval required to begin student teaching.
EDLL 3301 – Language Literacy Acquisition
EDTP 3303 – Behavior Management in Special Populations
SEMESTER 8 ACTION ITEMS
- Complete first-semester student teaching.
- Begin preparing and register for PPR Exam
- Register for teacher job fairs and meet with teacher preparation department to complete the hiring checklist
Total Hours: 15
SEMESTER 9
EDTP 4310 – Literacy in the Content Areas w/ Special Populations Prerequisite: EDLL 3305
EDEC 3309 – Development in Cross-Cultural Perspective This course is used to fulfill (CB 040) Core requirement.
EDEL 4312 – Student Teaching/Clinical Apprenticeship II Special approval required to begin student teaching.
EDTP 4315 – Advanced Methods for Teaching Special Populations
SEMESTER 9 ACTION ITEMS
- Complete second-semester student teaching.
- Take the PPR Exam.
- Submit an application to TEA for teacher certification. (Pending SBEC & TEA Approval of the EPP)
- Secure Teaching Job!
- After reviewing your degree plan and program of study, meet with your success coach to apply for the B.A.S. ECE.
- Sign up for commencement.
- Join the Alumni Network!
Total Hours: 12
PATHWAY TOTAL: 131 SEMESTER CREDIT HOURS