Education (BA/BS)
Elementary Emphasis (Grade EC-6
Our children need a solid education foundation in Texas. You can help them build that foundation by teaching. Act today!
- Offered Hybrid Online and Face-to-Face in Commerce, Collin, Mesquite and Navarro.
- 4 years
- 123 credit hours
- Foreign language credits optional
Develop Young Minds
Help young minds develop a love for learning. Our bachelor's degree in elementary school teaching prepares you to teach early childhood through sixth grade in the state of Texas. Gain skills needed to design, execute and evaluate instructional practices to meet the needs of all students. As part of your degree, you will complete two semesters of clinical teaching where you will gain hands-on experience under a mentor teacher. Upon completion of the program and passing all TExES exams, you'll be certified to teach in elementary schools throughout Texas.
See Yourself Succeed with a Degree in Education
World-Class Faculty
Interact with dedicated faculty who will challenge your understanding of early childhood development, classroom management and current teaching methods.
Education-Centered
Education is what we’re known for. Whether you're interested in teaching kindergarten or upper elementary students, our program is designed with you in mind.
Career Readiness
Experience daily opportunities to grow as an educator in elementary school settings through our partnerships with local school districts. Mentor with veteran teachers as you apply your new knowledge and skills.
Hands-On Training
Transition into the professional world of teaching by training for everything teachers do daily, while gaining experience to further prepare for teaching during your clinical teaching experience.
Focus Your Passion
The Department of Curriculum and Instruction offers multiple tracks for becoming an elementary school teacher in Texas. Discover the opportunities available to you.
Generalist (Early Childhood-6th)
Our 123-credit hour generalist track offers you the opportunity to gain skills and knowledge necessary for an interdisciplinary approach to teaching students in a way that is engaging and promotes academic success.
Bilingual (Early Childhood-6th)
Apply your multicultural expertise and know-how to create bilingual instructional settings where students benefit and succeed academically. Our 126-credit hour bilingual track provides you with the knowledge and techniques critical for teaching both English and Spanish at the elementary school level.
All Level Programs
In order to teach elementary school in a specific topic such as Physical Education, Drama, Art, or Music, or work with kids with special needs, you may choose to pursue one of our all-level programs. All-level programs prepare you to teach the subject at any grade level (early childhood-12th grade). Your degree will be through the department related to your subject. As part of your emphasis you will also take a number of courses through the Department of Curriculum and Instruction.
Theatre (BA/BS) Teaching Emphasis
In our program, you'll have the opportunity to study acting, directing, and production alongside educational topics like pedagogy and classroom management. Courses may cover stage management, costume design and multicultural theatre. A teaching residency offers experience that can support your path toward teaching theatre at the secondary level (grades 7–12).
Kinesiology and Sports Studies (BS) Teaching Emphasis
Physical Education Teacher Education – all-level certification is designed to prepare teachers for early childhood through grade twelve in physical education.
Education (BA/BS) Special Education
A graduate with special education certification should possess the following competencies: knowledge of disabling conditions; knowledge of professional roles, strategies for promoting learning and development; and techniques to promote achievement in English language arts, reading and math.
Finding My Community
Amber Woodard
Alum Faculty
Lindsay Morgan, Ed.D.
Faculty
Kamshia Childs, Ed.D.
Faculty
Janet Kimbriel, Ed.D
FacultyWhat You Will Learn
- Acquire in-depth knowledge of early childhood development
- Learn to integrate technology into classroom instruction
- Take courses to explore classroom management and pedagogy
- Gain insight into real-world situations through practical experiences in educational settings
Careers
Most graduates go on to become successful early childhood or elementary school teachers in Northeast Texas and beyond, while others choose to pursue further graduate work.
Career Possibilities and Current Median Salaries
US DOL Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2024
Potential Employers
Our graduates are frequently sought-after by local school districts. Job placement and satisfaction are ranked highly in our education program. Here are just a few districts where our students find employment. Discover where you belong!
Featured Courses
Course Delivery
Students must be admitted to the Educator Preparation Program to begin education core coursework.
Our courses are in-person at our main campus in Commerce and our extended university sites at Dallas, Mesquite, and Navarro in Corsicana. Courses are available during the fall, spring and summer terms.
Program Costs
Tuition and fees for undergraduate students taking 12 credit hours are $4,212 for Texas residents and $9,108 for non-residents.
WE ARE HERE TO HELP!
Contact Us
- Department of Curriculum and Instruction
- 903.886.5537
- [email protected]
- Sowers Education South
- P.O. Box 3011
- Commerce, TX 75429-3011
