Earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Education

The BAS ECE is the first bachelor’s degree program in education offered by a community college in Texas. The BAS ECE is focused on preparing students to be day-one ready to teach young children from ages birth to third grade. The BAS ECE program recognizes the critical development that occurs for children in those early years, laying the foundation for lifelong learning.

Dallas College has developed a trail-blazing program model that supports students in completing a bachelor’s degree while learning through on-the-job experience. Through this model, students have the option to complete an educator preparation program that leads to teacher certification.

Students who choose to enroll (and gain admission) in the certification program have the option of pursuing initial teacher certification either through the undergraduate certification pathway, or through our alternative teacher certification pathway. The School of Education recommends students connect with School of Education leadership or Senior Success Coach prior to enrolling in upper-level bachelor’s degree coursework to discuss teacher certification pathways in more detail.

Throughout the bachelor’s degree and the certification program, Dallas College’s coursework emphasizes work-based learning opportunities, personalized coaching and feedback from Dallas College faculty, and performance-based assessments that measure the skills that matter most to effective teaching.

All upper-level courses are structured as a lab courses that include approximately 2 hours per week (32 hours per semester) in addition to weekly class time. During lab time, students are required to engage in work-based learning opportunities in an elementary or early childcare setting, licensure preparation activities, and professional learning activities related to the program competencies.

The Dallas College School of Education’s (SOE) Bachelor of Applied Science in Early Childhood Education and Teaching Degree (BAS ECE) exemplifies the idea of ‘education that works.’ Students entering their senior year of the program will engage in required work-based learning opportunities that support students in being “day one ready” through extensive practice and coaching around key teaching skills.

In February 2022 Dallas College became Texas’ first U.S. Department of Labor teacher apprenticeship program. Through this program, Dallas College students have the opportunity to work as paid apprentices in their senior year, receiving a salary of approximately $30,000, and to receive tuition assistance. This innovative program provides students the opportunity to learn and earn as they engage in the many facets of teaching under the tutelage of an effective mentor teacher.

In addition to the apprenticeship model, students who are already employed in school systems or early childcare centers as assistants and aides have the option to remain in their current roles through an adaptive residency. This model supports students in engaging in modified residency experiences and completing the responsibilities and duties associated with their jobs.

Courses in the bachelor’s degree are available to students for the same cost per semester credit hour as our associate of arts programs. For Dallas County residents, tuition is $79 per credit hour or $237 for a three-hour course. This makes our bachelor’s degree one of the most affordable in Texas.

Yes. This pathway is for students who have not previously attended an institution of higher education.

We have entry points available for Dallas College transfer applicants and transfer applicants from other institutions.

Students in existing Dallas College programs of study are encouraged to apply once they have completed the Texas Core Curriculum (42SCH). We suggest reaching out to your School of Education Senior Success Coach for individual guidance on the process.

Most students entering the program without any previous college credit will complete the program in four years. Students begin taking courses at the School of Education in their first year.

The BAS ECE program requires 48 advanced semester credit hours (120 semester credit hours in total). Forty-two of these hours must be completed at Dallas College. Most current or former Dallas College students entering the bachelor’s degree program through this pathway will complete the degree in two or three years.

Students who are wanting to apply to the BAS ECE program should first create their Apply Texas account. Once created, you will:

• Select Dallas College (under the Two-Year School) tab
• Once you select that, it will ask you to confirm your school — click Confirm
• Next there is a drop-down menu where you select your Major: you will choose the bachelor’s degree in Four Year Degrees

Note: Then you will continue with the remainder of the application.

Students are assigned a senior success coach upon acceptance into the BAS ECE program. The senior success coach supports students in successfully completing program requirements. Students meet with their senior success coach virtually or in person at least once per term after enrolling in upper-level courses.

Students who will attend the BAS ECE program full-time (recommended) should expect to take the following courses:

• EDEL 3318 Methods of Teaching Elementary Geometry
• EDEL 4301 Methods of Teaching Social Studies
• EDTP 3301 Foundations of Inclusion and Differentiation for Special Populations
• EDEC 3301 Supervised Experiences with Infants and Toddlers
• EDLL 3301 Language and Literacy Acquisition
• *15 hours

Students who will attend the BAS ECE program part-time should expect to meet with their Success Coach to discuss options. We suggest starting with the following courses:

• EDEL 3318 Methods of Teaching Elementary Geometry
• EDTP 3301 Foundations of Inclusion and Differentiation for Special Populations
• EDLL 3301 Language and Literacy Acquisition
• *9 hours

Student must successfully complete the Texas Core Curriculum (42SCH) and have a minimum GPA of 2.5 to enroll in upper-level coursework. Every student will also need to meet with a School of Education Senior Success Coach to gain approval to register for upper-level coursework. All student records will be reviewed on an individual and ongoing basis to provide the best support to our students.

We are here to help. Please contact our senior success coaches via email at SOEAdvising@DallasCollege.edu