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Dallas College
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Educator Preparation Program

​​​​Teach at Dallas College: Educator Preparation Program (EPP)

Teach at Dallas College is an approved undergraduate route to EC-3 certification in Texas. The mission within our School of Education is to equip future educators so all children can thrive. We work collaboratively to prepare future educators to be classroom ready on day one. We are dedicated to creating an accessible higher education environment, addressing community needs, and helping all children achieve equitable success.

Teach at Dallas College delivers high-quality educator preparation using a teacher residency model based on exploration, hands-on experiences, and inquiry-based practices. Program coursework is student focused and aligned to The Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills, English language proficiency standards, Pre-k Guidelines, and to the educator standards. Specifically, the EPP carefully addresses reading instruction in language and literacy courses and instruction in the educators’ code of ethics, mental health, substance abuse, and youth suicide, and dyslexia is provided. Digital learning, including a digital literacy evaluation, is addressed in educational technology coursework. 

​Candidates have ongoing, supported opportunities to use the skills being developed, with corresponding benchmarks in growth required and tracked through signature performance tasks in each course. Relevant and aligned clinical experiences correspond with each section to ensure opportunities for practice occur throughout the program.

Texas Early Childhood Educator Labor Market Information

According to Dallas College Labor Market Intelligence, Dallas County necessitates approximately 4,300 new “early childhood education (ECE)” teachers immediately and 450 new ECE teachers each year over the next five years. These figures include teachers for early childhood programs, as well as teachers for pre-k through 3rd grade students in the public school system.


Approved EPPs annually provide the Texas Education Agency and State Board for Educator Certification information about their programs as mandated in Texas Education Code Section 21.0452. This information is posted to assist individuals interested in obtaining a teaching certificate to select the EPP that best meets their needs. This information is also useful for school districts planning their staffing and recruitment activities.

Additional information on approved educator preparation programs including locations and types of certificate programs offered can be found on the Division of Educator Standards’ list of approved programs and the individual program websites. The Educator Preparation Programs Technology Curriculum webpage is a published list of EPP webpage links. This page serves as a resource for persons seeking information concerning activities offered by EPPs related to technology integration, and/or technology curriculum and instruction.

View more consumer information about educator preparation programs in Texas.

Applicants apply for admission to the EPP when they have completed a minimum of 60 semester credit hours (SCH).

At the time of application to the EPP, all applicants must demonstrate that they have:

  • Completed 60 SCH with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.75.
  • Completed at least 12 SCH in the major/teaching field coursework with no grade lower than a C and a GPA of 2.75 or greater.
  • Completed the coursework to demonstrate proficiency in reading, writing, mathematics, and communication. To demonstrate proficiency, the candidate:
    • ​must complete the following with a grade of C or better:
      • ​Reading - History 2300 and 2301, OR POLS 1301 and 2302
      • Writing - English 1301 and 1302
      • Mathematics - Mathematics 1314 (College Algebra) or equivalent course
      • Oral Communication - Communication 1300 or 2351
  • Met the requirements of the Basic Skills Requirements for the EPP. The TSI exam score will be the basis for admission consideration. University admission standards will be used.
  • Dallas College candidates demonstrate Fitness to Teach. Candidates will be evaluated on these behaviors through the assessment of teacher dispositions through an interview process. At the point of admission to the EPP, students are required to review and accept the unit's dispositions. Students transferring to Dallas College from another certification program must be in good standing.
  • All students must meet and adhere to the Educators’ Code of Ethics.
  • All students must complete a professional interview with the School of Education staff and receive an acceptable score.
  • A signed background check affidavit.
  • ​Paid the Texas Education Agency (TEA) technology fee of $35. This fee is non-refundable.

The Bachelor of Applied Science in Early Childhood Education and Teaching (BAS ECE) program is focused on preparing students to teach young children from birth to grade three. The BAS ECE recognizes the critical development that occurs for children in those early years – a period that lays the foundation needed for lifelong learning. This pathway can provide the opportunity to apply for admissions into the Teach at Dallas College EPP to earn a Texas teaching certificate.

Texas Administrative Code 19 TAC § 227.101 (c) requires the completion of a criminal history background check prior to clinical teaching and hiring by a school district. Failure to pass a criminal history ​check will prevent you from being licensed and therefore hired by a district.

Please visit the TEA website for more information: 

In accordance with 19 TAC §228.35(a)(5)(A), TEA requires that each educator preparation program must implement specific criteria and procedures that allow:

(A) military service member or military veteran candidates to credit verified military service, training, or education toward the training, education, work experience, or related requirements (other than certification examinations) for educator certification requirements, provided that the military service, training, or education is directly related to the certificate being sought; and

(B) candidates who are not military service members or military veterans to substitute prior or ongoing service, training, or education, provided that the experience, education, or training is not also counted as a part of the internship, clinical teaching, or practicum requirements, was provided by an approved preparation program or an accredited institution of higher education within the past five years and is directly related to the certificate being sought.

Teacher Candidates who meet one of these requirements should reach out to AskSOE@DallasCollege.edu​. The School of Education administration will review the documents and communicate to teacher candidates if credit can be obtained.

Students have the right to seek redress of any grievance related to academic or nonacademic matters. Every effort should be made to resolve grievances informally between the candidate and the faculty member involved. If the grievance cannot be resolved informally, students have recourse to the formal grievance procedures.

Candidates may file formal complaints by submitting the Dallas College grievance form (within 30 days of having knowledge of the complaint) to Maxient system. The Dean of Baccalaureate Studies will create a case for the grievance within the first 15 workdays, reach out to all involved parties as part of the investigation, reach resolution after thorough research, and inform the candidate of a decision. If the grievance is not resolved with this process, the candidate may submit the grievance to the Vice Provost’s office. The Vice Provost’s office will schedule a hearing within 20 class days of receipt of all artifacts. Information regarding the grievance policy will be displayed on the EPP website and at the physical sites where candidates are prepared and will also be included in the candidate handbook.

The Texas Education Agency has jurisdiction to investigate violations of school law concerning educator preparation programs. Submit a complaint about an EPP for investigation and resolution at the complaints against EPPs if needed.

When to Apply

Applicants who plan to begin in the Fall should apply in the Spring semester of their sophomore year. Applicants who plan to begin in the Spring should apply in the Fall semester of their sophomore year. For questions about application dates, contact your success coach.

Online Application

To submit an online application, visit with your School of Education Senior Success Coach.

Contact Information

We are here to help! For questions or support please contact the Teach at Dallas College Educator Certification Office:

Wendy Farr, Ph.D.

  • Dean of Baccalaurreate Studies & Tea​ch at Dallas College Lead Contact