Pride Pathway (BAAS)
Competency-Based
Bachelor’s preparing for Educator Certification
Affordable and flexible bachelor's preparing you for teacher certification.
- Offered 100% Online in our Competency-Based Online format.
- 2 Years Average
- No foreign language credits required
Pride Pathway for Certification
Ready to shape the future of education? The Pride Pathway program at East Texas A&M University offers a flexible, competency-based route to teacher certification tailored for those balancing busy professional lives. Whether you're beginning your journey or completing your degree, this program provides the essential knowledge and expertise required to thrive in the classroom. With a focus on practical application, you'll benefit from affordable tuition, expedited 7-week terms and a curriculum designed to accelerate your path to becoming an educator efficiently and cost-effectively.
Spring 2026 Graduate Flex Term.
What Are My Job Opportunities?
With a Pride Pathway program, you’ll have the opportunity to pursue a range of teaching and educational leadership roles across schools and educational organizations.
Careers Possibilities
Current Median Salaries from US DOL Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2023
Program Details
Our competency-based bachelor’s program is designed to prepare students for educator certification through personalized learning and skill development.
What Will I Learn?
You will have the opportunity to gain experience in a number of key areas.
Data-Driven Instruction
Analyze student data to identify learning gaps and tailor instruction to individual needs, improving overall outcomes.
Behavioral Management Models
Implement strategies like PBIS to encourage positive behavior and maintain a supportive classroom environment.
Educational Technology Integration
Use digital tools like Google Classroom to enhance engagement, facilitate collaboration and support personalized learning.
Supporting Practices and Special Education
Apply strategies to support students with disabilities and English language learners, fostering an equitable learning environment.
Taking Classes
Our Pride Pathway program is designed for aspiring educators. It offers competency-based online courses that allow you to learn at your own pace.
Designed for your life
Whether you’re a full-time or part-time student, you can complete the program on your schedule. The competency-based model lets you progress as you master each skill. Please check the course schedule for any updates on availability and course timing.
I ALREADY HAVE A BACHELOR’S
Alternative Teacher Certification, Competency-Based
Become an educator with a competency-based program that helps you prepare for an impactful career leading the next generation. Designed for working professionals, this program offers fully online coursework so you can plan your studies around your busy life. Accelerate your degree completion and get in the classroom sooner.
Finding My Community
We believe that education thrives in an environment where collaboration, support and mutual respect flourish. Our community of students and professors embodies these values, creating an enriching and dynamic atmosphere for learning and growth. Our students come from different backgrounds and bring a wide range of experiences and perspectives to the table. Our professors are not only experts in their respective fields but also dedicated mentors who are committed to guiding and nurturing the next generation of scholars.
April Sanders, Ph.D.
Faculty
Kara Campbell, Ed.D.
Faculty
Jimmy Womack
Alum Faculty
Tracey Stedman
Staff
Student Organizations
Our program offers opportunities for you to engage in student organizations that foster professional development. These groups regularly host networking events, workshops and discussions with faculty and industry professionals. It's a great way to connect with peers, learn from experienced educators, and enhance your teaching career.
Financing My Future
Financial Aid
Financial aid includes a variety of programs, like scholarships, federal and state grants, and federal and state work-study programs. Find out how you may be eligible for scholarships, grants, loans and/or a graduate assistantship. Financial Aid and Scholarships
Back to menuOn-Campus Employment Opportunities
Enhance your expertise through on-campus employment opportunities.
Graduate Assistant/Research/Teaching
Graduate assistant teaching (GAT), graduate assistant research (GAR), and graduate assistant non-teaching (GANT) assistantships at East Texas A&M offer financial support and professional development for graduate students. Assistantships are available in academic and non-academic departments.
Back to menuCost Before Financial Aid
East Texas A&M is one of the most affordable colleges around the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. Our tuition rates are some of the most competitive in Texas.
$3,669
for Texas residents
/
$7,341
For non-residents
Tuition and fees for graduate students taking nine credit hours are $3,669 for Texas residents and $7,341 for non-residents. But don’t worry: there are
Back to menuAdditional Fees May Apply
- Online Courses ($50 per hour)
- Remote Locations ($20 per hour)
- Lab Fees ($5 – $30 per course)
How Do I Get Started?
If you have not already done so, complete the Request Information form. You will be connected with your enrollment specialist, who can answer your questions. When you’re ready, go ahead and follow the steps below to apply.
I DO NOT HAVE A BACHELOR’S
Bachelor’s Preparing for Certification
If you are a current ISD employee and do not currently hold a bachelor’s degree, this pathway is perfect for you. You will begin by completing your bachelor’s degree followed by obtaining your teacher certification through our alternative certification program. This program takes approximately two years.
Admission Process
Through targeted coursework within the General Studies program, you’ll integrate your prior achievements, gaining the credibility and knowledge necessary to excel in the field of education. You’ll develop a versatile skill set, including adaptability and critical thinking, essential for success as an educator in today's dynamic educational landscape.
Submit your application.
- Select “General Studies Pride Pathway (GSCB) ” as your “Major.”
Send your school transcript via our secure document upload or request that your official high school transcript and transcripts for any college credit you have completed be sent to [email protected].
If your institution is unable to submit a digital copy, hard copies may be mailed to:
East Texas A&M University
Attn: College of Innovation and Design
PO Box 3011
Commerce, Texas 75429-3011We will need official/original documents.
ACT or SAT scores are optional for admission. If submitting scores, use the East Texas A&M codes 4088 (ACT) and 6188 (SAT) from encoura.org or collegeboard.org.
Your myLEO username is your CWID and your default password is your date of birth beginning with the three-letter abbreviated month (MonDDYYYY). You may refer to our guide for first-time login instructions.
- Username: CWID
- Password: Date of Birth (MonDDYYYY)
- Within myLeo, check out the APPS tab for LeoMail, LeoPay and D2L Brightspace, where you will access your online classes, and more.
- Check out the Student Resources tab for student information, including Undergrad DegreeWorks, your interactive degree audit, class schedules, financial aid status and awards, and more.
When you sign in to myLEO, the Financial Agreement will pop up. You’ll need to read over the agreement, select the checkbox and select “Continue.”
If you missed it or accidentally closed the window, you can get the agreement to pop up again by following these steps.
- Sign in to myLEO.
- Go to the Student Resources Tab.
- Scroll to Student Information,
- Click on Registration Menu. If you have not already completed the Financial Responsibility, it will appear here.
If you are not a self-pay student, you may qualify for financial aid to help pay for your classes.
Apply for financial aid by submitting a FAFSA and sending it to school code 003565.
You do not have to complete the Texas Success Initiative (TSI) if you have met one of the following:
- Met minimum college readiness standard on the SAT or ACT
- Obtained the minimum required score(s) on the statewide high school STAAR EOCs Algebra II and English III exams (these are optional for high schools)
- Met a veteran or active military waiver (must meet specific requirements for each category)
- Received exemption based on earning a prior degree
- Received a transfer exemption (declaration by another institution)
- Completed prior college-level coursework
Students are responsible for providing proof of exemption and will be considered assessment required until documentation is provided of state exemption. For more information, please contact the Testing Center at [email protected].
To access your Undergrad DegreeWorks online degree plan:
- Log into myLEO.
- Select the Student Resources tab from the home screen.
- Scroll to Student Information
- Select Undergrad DegreeWorks.
There are three components to the 120-credit-hour degree. You may customize your professional development and career readiness courses. You may also transfer previous college credits, WECM and military experience to apply toward your degree.
- General Education/Core Curriculum (42 semester credit hours)
You have the opportunity to demonstrate mastery of general education competencies without needlessly sitting through introductory courses. - Professional Development Electives (66 semester credit hours*)
You are able to demonstrate competency in a variety of related fields. - Upper Division Applied Coursework (12 semester credit hours)
You can build on and apply work-related skills.
You begin each term by registering for up to two courses. When you complete all of your current courses before the end of a term, you have the opportunity to take and complete another course by the end of the term. You can accelerate an unlimited number of times in a given term. Using this method, you can shorten the time needed to complete a degree. You are not allowed to add courses during the final week of the term.
Did you miss the registration window? Don’t worry! You have two available registration opportunities each semester!
For specific dates, email our advising office at [email protected]
*A total of 36 semester credit hours must be upper-level courses.
Back to menuAfter graduating with your competency-based bachelor’s in general studies, apply for and complete your teacher certification.
Coursework includes:
- EDCB 514: Management and Curriculum Development for Diverse Learners
- EDCB 517: Reading and Learning in K-12 Content Area
- EDCB 519: Response To Intervention
- EDCB 566: Learning Environments and Instructional Design for the K-12 Classroom
- RDCB 516: Fundamentals of Reading
- EDCB 515: Evidence-Based Teaching (taken in conjunction with teaching assignment)
A degree in organizational leadership can prepare you for teaching by honing your communication skills, fostering effective collaboration, and instilling leadership qualities that are crucial for managing a classroom. Additionally, your problem-solving and critical thinking training will equip you to adapt lesson plans, address classroom dynamics and advocate for students’ needs, ensuring a dynamic learning environment conducive to student success.
Submit your application through ApplyTexas.
- Select “Create a new undergraduate admissions application.”
- Select “East Texas A&M University” as your “Target University.”
- Select “ORGL – Organizational Leadership” as your “Major.”
Send your school transcript via our secure document upload or request that your official high school transcript and transcripts for any college credit you have completed be sent to [email protected].
If your institution is unable to submit a digital copy, hard copies may be mailed to:
East Texas A&M University
Attn: College of Innovation and Design
PO Box 3011
Commerce, Texas 75429-3011We will need official/original documents.
ACT or SAT scores are optional for admission. If submitting scores, use the East Texas A&M codes 4088 (ACT) and 6188 (SAT) from encoura.org or collegeboard.org.
Your myLEO username is your CWID and your default password is your date of birth beginning with the three-letter abbreviated month (MonDDYYYY). You may refer to our guide for first-time login instructions.
- Username: CWID
- Password: Date of Birth (MonDDYYYY)
- Within myLeo, check out the APPS tab for LeoMail, LeoPay and D2L Brightspace, where you will access your online classes, and more.
- Check out the Student Resources tab for student information, including Undergrad DegreeWorks, your interactive degree audit, class schedules, financial aid status and awards, and more.
When you sign in to myLEO, the Financial Agreement will pop up. You’ll need to read over the agreement, select the checkbox and select “Continue.”
If you missed it or accidentally closed the window, you can get the agreement to pop up again by following these steps.
- Sign in to myLEO.
- Go to the Student Resources Tab.
- Scroll to Student Information,
- Click on Registration Menu. If you have not already completed the Financial Responsibility, it will appear here.
If you are not a self-pay student, you may qualify for financial aid to help pay for your classes.
Apply for financial aid by submitting a FAFSA and sending it to school code 003565.
You do not have to complete the Texas Success Initiative (TSI) if you have met one of the following:
- Met minimum college readiness standard on the SAT or ACT
- Obtained the minimum required score(s) on the statewide high school STAAR EOCs Algebra II and English III exams (these are optional for high schools)
- Met a veteran or active military waiver (must meet specific requirements for each category)
- Received exemption based on earning a prior degree
- Received a transfer exemption (declaration by another institution)
- Completed prior college-level coursework
Students are responsible for providing proof of exemption and will be considered assessment required until documentation is provided of state exemption. For more information, please contact the Testing Center at [email protected].
To access your Undergrad DegreeWorks online degree plan:
- Log into myLEO.
- Select the Student Resources tab from the home screen.
- Scroll to Student Information
- Select Undergrad DegreeWorks.
- Once admitted, your advisor will contact you by email.
- Complete Online New Student Orientation. Your advisor will register you for this course and all future courses.
- Review Texas Success Initiative (TSI) if required
There are three components to the 120-credit-hour degree
- General Education/Core Curriculum (42 semester credit hours)
You have the opportunity to demonstrate mastery of general education competencies without needlessly sitting through introductory courses. - Professional Development Electives (48 semester credit hours)
You are able to demonstrate competency in a variety of related fields. - Upper Division Applied Coursework (30 semester credit hours)
You can build on and apply work-related skills in four mastery areas.
Through competency-based education, you begin each term by registering for up to two courses. When you complete all of your current courses before the end of a term, you have the opportunity to take and complete another course by the end of the term. You can accelerate an unlimited number of times in a given term. Using this method, you are able to shorten your time to degree completion. You are not allowed to add courses during the final week of the term.
Did you miss the registration window? Don’t worry! You have two available registration opportunities each semester! For specific dates, email our advising office at [email protected].
After graduating with your competency-based bachelor’s degree in organizational leadership, apply for and complete your teacher certification.
Coursework includes:
- EDCB 514: Management and Curriculum Development for Diverse Learners
- EDCB 517: Reading and Learning in K-12 Content Area
- EDCB 519: Response To Intervention
- EDCB 566: Learning Environments and Instructional Design for the K-12 Classroom
- RDCB 516: Fundamentals of Reading
- EDCB 515: Evidence-Based Teaching (taken in conjunction with teaching assignment)
I Still Have Questions
We are here to help! Send us an email. We can answer your questions and assist you in the application process.
Contact the Department
- Pride Pathway
- 903.886.5437
- 903.468.3318
- [email protected]
- P.O. Box 3011
- Commerce, TX 75429-3011