Educator Preparation Program

How do ESL, Bilingual, or Special Education certifications work in this program?

The EC–3 pathway does not include ESL, bilingual or special education certifications. After you earn your EC–3 Standard Teaching Certificate, you may register with the Texas Education Agency (TEA) to take additional certification exams when you are ready.

If I choose the EC–3 pathway, will I only be able to teach EC–3?

You will graduate with an EC–3 Standard Teaching Certificate. After graduation, you may take additional certification exams through TEA to qualify for other teaching assignments.

Can I request a specific district, campus or grade level for my residency?

You may share your preferences during placement. While we try to honor requests when possible, final placements depend on availability, district participation and program needs.

Will I stay in the same classroom for the entire residency year?

Yes. Residents remain in the same classroom for the full year to support consistency and strong mentorship.

What if I already work as a paraprofessional or instructional aide?

To participate in this pathway, you must hold a full‑time resident position in an approved EC–3 classroom.

Will my course schedule or degree plan change?

Your degree plan will stay the same. The main difference is that you will begin preparing for certification exams earlier, so you enter residency confident and well prepared.

What support is available if I struggle in the program?

Students have access to academic advising, tutoring, faculty support and structured support plans when needed.

Will I receive coaching or mentoring during residency?

Yes. Each resident is paired with a mentor teacher and receives regular feedback and coaching throughout the residency year.

Does this pathway guarantee a teaching job after completion?

Employment is not guaranteed. However, the pathway is designed to help you build strong skills and be competitive for teaching positions.

Will Dallas College help me find a job?

Yes. Dallas College Career Services and School of Education staff provide guidance, resources and support during your job search.

What if I need to pause or withdraw from the pathway?

You should meet with a program advisor to review your options and determine next steps based on your situation.

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: 

• National Criminal History Checks - FAQs 
• Preliminary Criminal History Evaluation- FAQs

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, clinical and professional experience, 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; 

(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 EPP 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. The complaint process enables applicants, candidates, current or former employees of an EPP, cooperating teachers, mentors or administrators in school districts, charter schools or private schools to submit complaints regarding an EPP for investigation and resolution. Submit a complaint about an EPP for investigation and resolution at complaints against EPPs if needed.