State, regional approvals clear the way for TCC’s newest four-year pathway, expanding affordable teacher preparation in Tarrant County
FORT WORTH, Texas — The teacher shortage facing North Texas schools has a fresh answer, and it starts at Tarrant County College.
The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges are tackling the issue with approval of a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education that puts an affordable, accessible path to the classroom right in the heart of the communities that need it most.
The BAS in early childhood education and teaching — TCC’s first bachelor’s degree — is designed for students who have completed an Associate of Arts in teaching, an Associate of Applied Science in early childhood education, or another qualifying associate degree with directed electives. The two-year program will prepare graduates for teacher certification in Early Childhood through Grade 3 and Early Childhood through Grade 6.
Students can begin the program as early as Oct. 12, when TCC’s second eight-week fall session starts.
“This program reflects TCC’s enduring commitment to meeting the real workforce needs of Tarrant County,” Chancellor Elva LeBlanc said. “Our schools need qualified, compassionate teachers, and TCC is uniquely positioned to deliver an accessible, affordable pathway for the next generation of educators who will shape our community’s future.”
With school districts across North Texas facing serious teacher shortages, the degree program should strengthen the regional pipeline of certified educators while maintaining TCC’s signature approach of providing high-quality instruction at an affordable cost.
“This approval reflects exactly the kind of strategic investment our board was elected to support,” said Jeannie Deakyne, president of the TCC Board of Trustees. “Tarrant County’s children will be better served because TCC is preparing the teachers who will inspire, educate and shape the next generation. That is a legacy this College is proud to build.”
The BAS in early childhood education and teaching joins TCC’s expanding lineup of degrees reflecting the College’s investment in workforce-aligned, stackable credential pathways that enable students to build on prior coursework and advance their careers without starting over.
“This Bachelor of Applied Science is designed to meet students where they are and support their advancement into high-impact employment,” said Dr. Shereah Taylor-Love, dean of the human and public service pathway at TCC South. “Strengthening our associate degree pathways empowers current students and working early childhood professionals to earn a bachelor’s degree, pursue teacher certification and help meet the urgent need for qualified educators serving young children across our region.”
Students interested in joining the inaugural cohort should contact Alma Gallegos at alma.gallegos@tccd.edu or 817-515-4372 for information about admission requirements, prerequisites and enrollment deadlines.
Tarrant County College serves nearly 100,000 students each year, offering accessible, affordable pathways to in-demand careers and university transfer. Across multiple campuses and TCC Connect — a fully online learning option — the College partners with more than 1,200 employers to help build the workforce that drives North Texas forward. Bold Steps. Better Futures.