Tarrant County College is stepping into four-year territory next fall, rolling out its first-ever bachelor’s degree: a Bachelor of Applied Science in Early Childhood Education and Teaching. The program, slated to launch in fall 2026, will blend in-person classes with online coursework so working early-childhood professionals can earn a four-year credential without walking away from their day jobs.
The move comes after state officials signed off on TCC’s proposal, according to the Fort Worth Report. TCC Chancellor Elva LeBlanc told the outlet the new degree is designed to “complement, not compete” with nearby university programs while helping staff up local classrooms.
Where Classes Will Be Taught And Who Will Enroll
College planning documents show the first cohort will be based at TCC’s South Campus, with administrators intentionally keeping the inaugural class relatively small so the program can build out field placements and student supports. Courses will run in hybrid formats, a setup meant to work for students already employed in child care centers or working as paraeducators who want to keep their paychecks coming while they finish a bachelor’s.
Local Need And National Context
College leaders and early-education advocates say the degree aims squarely at long-standing local shortages of qualified early-childhood staff, especially in infant and toddler care and preschool programs, as reported by KERA News. At the national level, federal labor projections show modest job growth for preschool teachers, while employment for kindergarten and elementary teachers is expected to remain flat or decline. It is a reminder that what is happening in Tarrant County classrooms can look very different from the national trendlines (Bureau of Labor Statistics; Bureau of Labor Statistics).
How A Community College Can Grant A Bachelor’s
Under Texas law, certain public junior colleges can offer baccalaureate degrees in applied fields if they can show workforce need and meet specific statutory criteria. Those authorizations include applied science programs in areas such as early childhood education, according to the Texas Education Code. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board listed community college baccalaureate proposals, including program approvals, in materials for its January quarterly board meeting as part of its ongoing review process (Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board).
Who The Program Is Designed For
TCC plans to recruit heavily from students already in its Associate of Arts in teaching pathway, as well as from current paraeducators and early-childhood workers who have experience but not a bachelor’s degree, according to the Fort Worth Report. College officials say graduates can then pursue teacher certification through educator preparation programs if they want EC-6 classroom certification.
Next Steps And Timeline
Before students can enroll, TCC must secure a level change from its regional accreditor so that a bachelor’s degree becomes the institution’s highest credential. That accreditation step appears in recent trustee materials detailing the college’s work to get the program off the ground, according to Tarrant County College. If state and accreditor approvals remain on track, administrators say a small first class could start next fall while the college builds out faculty capacity and field placements…