What you’ll learn in this article…
- East Texas A&M launched Texas's first competency-based teacher preparation bachelor's degrees.
- Fully online, asynchronous seven-week terms let students advance through mastery.
- Inaugural enrollment began August 31 and already exceeded university expectations.
Texas districts are short on certified elementary and early childhood teachers, and East Texas A&M University has responded with two fully online competency-based bachelor's degrees, the first undergraduate teacher preparation programs in Texas built on that model. Enrollment opened August 31 and already exceeded university expectations, East Texas A&M University reported.
The practical tension is pace versus credit recognition: school employees can apply previous college work and move by demonstrating mastery, but total cost rises with each seven-week term. That makes transferred credits and testing efficiency a deciding factor for working adults trying to enter the classroom before Texas tightens state teacher licensing requirements by 2030.
What's New: ETAMU's Competency-Based Bachelor's Programs
Texas teacher preparation is moving toward work-embedded, competency-based pathways, and East Texas A&M University (ETAMU) is now at the front of that shift in the state. The university has launched two undergraduate teacher preparation degrees: a B.S. in Early Childhood Education and a B.S. in Elementary Education. According to university officials, these are the first undergraduate teacher preparation programs in Texas offered through a competency-based education (CBE) model.
The New Degree Programs
The B.S. in Early Childhood Education prepares educators for prekindergarten through third grade. The B.S. in Elementary Education prepares educators for prekindergarten through sixth grade. Students who complete either degree and pass the required state exams become eligible for Texas Teacher Certification. The curriculum was developed with input from university faculty and school district professionals and incorporates state teacher preparation and certification requirements. This structure is designed for adults who may already be working in schools and need a flexible, certification-aligned route into teaching.
Launch Response and District Interest
Enrollment opened August 31 and exceeded university expectations, even with limited recruitment and marketing. Early interest has been driven largely by existing school district partnerships. Kathy Dixon, acting dean of Dallas and Extended Sites at East Texas A&M University, said districts are looking at people already working in their schools and saying, "This person would be a phenomenal teacher." That internal talent focus is an intentional part of the program design, which prepares current school staff to become certified classroom teachers without leaving their jobs. The announcement is positioned as a direct response to Texas's ongoing teacher shortage, with degree tracks that align to early childhood and elementary classroom needs.
How ETAMU's Competency-Based Model Works
In East Texas A&M's new teacher preparation programs, competency-based education means this: students move forward when they demonstrate mastery, not when a semester clock runs out. The structure is built around seven-week terms that run back to back throughout the year.
Seven-week terms and year-round pacing
Instead of one 15-week fall course and one 15-week spring course, each ETAMU education course runs for seven weeks. As one term ends, the next begins, so students can keep making progress in winter, spring, summer, and fall. The shorter blocks create more frequent milestones and clearer planning cycles for working adults. In practice, that means less waiting for a new semester and more time making measurable progress.
Fully online and asynchronous
The B.S. in Early Childhood Education and B.S. in Elementary Education are delivered online with no required live class meetings. That matters for paraprofessionals and aides pursuing a paraprofessional to teacher pathway, as well as district employees already inside schools during the school day. They can complete readings, submit assignments, and demonstrate skills in the evenings or on weekends without leaving their jobs. The format removes scheduling conflicts that often prevent working adults from enrolling in traditional daytime classes.
Mastery over seat time
Students with previous college experience can apply eligible credits toward the degree. For remaining requirements, they do not wait a fixed number of weeks to finish. They complete assessments or projects when they are ready, and they advance once they show mastery, as in Western Governors University's competency-based model. This differs from a traditional bachelor's degree, where progress is tied to scheduled class hours and a standard 14- to 16-week calendar. For transfer students, that can shorten the overall path to graduation.
Early Childhood Vs. Elementary Education: Which ETAMU Track Fits You?
The two new ETAMU bachelor's degrees may share a competency-based format, but they lead to different classroom roles and certification scopes. Early childhood focuses on prekindergarten through grade 3, while elementary covers prekindergarten through grade 6. The right fit depends on the age range you want to teach, your current school role, and your long-term earnings goals.
| Aspect | B.S. in Early Childhood Education (PK-3) | B.S. in Elementary Education (PK-6) |
|---|---|---|
| Grade band | Prekindergarten through grade 3 | Prekindergarten through grade 6 |
| Classroom focus | Early learning foundations, child development, and play-based instruction for preschool and primary grades | Broad elementary curriculum across reading, math, science, and social studies for K-6 classrooms |
| Ideal candidate profile | Aspiring educators who want to build early literacy and social foundations with younger children | Aspiring or current school staff who want to teach across the full elementary span and may already work in school district roles |
| Certification path after passing state exams | Eligible for Texas teacher certification aligned to PK-3 teaching roles | Eligible for Texas teacher certification aligned to PK-6 teaching roles |
| Median annual pay (May 2024) | $37,120 for preschool teachers | $61,430 for kindergarten teachers and $62,340 for elementary school teachers |
| Projected job growth (2024) | 3 percent for preschool and early childhood teachers | 1 percent for kindergarten and elementary teachers |
Addressing the Texas Teacher Shortage and the 2030 Certification Shift
Which Texas teaching areas are officially designated as shortage areas for 2026-2027, and how do East Texas A&M's new bachelor's tracks align with the state's phased certification requirements?
Texas continues to report persistent staffing gaps in specific certification fields, including an ESL teacher shortage.1 For 2026-2027, the Texas Education Agency lists Bilingual/ESL, Career and Technical Education (secondary only), Computer Science/Technology Applications, English Language Arts and Reading (secondary only), Mathematics (secondary only), and Special Education as shortage areas approved by the U.S. Department of Education.1 The list has narrowed since 2024-2025, when Mathematics, Science and Social Studies also appeared, but core secondary math and special education teacher shortages remain hard to fill.4
The certification timeline
Texas is also phasing in stricter certification rules. State law already bars districts from hiring uncertified teachers for core subjects like English language arts, math, science, and social studies.2 Districts operating under innovation exemptions may still hire uncertified teachers for subjects other than reading and math in grades above fifth through the 2026-27 school year.2 After that transition, all K-5 reading and math teachers must be certified, making elementary reading and math the first statewide priority group.2 TEA-linked reporting points to a broader deadline: unless a district is on an official TEA waiver list, every core classroom teacher in the state must be certified by the 2029-30 school year.3
How ETAMU's curriculum fits
East Texas A&M built its new Early Childhood Education and Elementary Education programs with those deadlines in view. University officials say the curriculum was developed with input from faculty and school district professionals and incorporates state teacher preparation and certification requirements. The Elementary Education track, which prepares educators for prekindergarten through sixth grade, aligns directly with the K-5 reading and math certification priority. Students who complete the degree and pass required state exams are then eligible for teacher certification, a design that reduces the risk of hitting certification roadblocks later.
Admission Requirements, Enrollment Timeline, and Cost
The real tradeoff here is between a low per-term price and a total that grows with each additional term. ETAMU charges a flat rate per seven-week term, so transferring more credits or moving through competencies quickly lowers the final bill, while a slower pace adds terms and cost.
Admission and Application Basics
ETAMU's competency-based bachelor's programs set an accessible academic floor: transfer students need at least 12 transferable credits and a 2.0 GPA, while freshman applicants should meet the university's foundation requirements, including four English credits, three math credits, three science credits, three social studies credits, two language credits, and a top 30% class rank. The application fee is $30. The posted requirements focus on academic readiness rather than a set number of classroom years, and there is no separate work-experience requirement in the admissions materials. That aligns with the intended audience of current school district employees and paraprofessionals who are already working in schools and may bring prior college, workforce, or military credit, the core of a grow your own teacher program approach. The program is fully online and asynchronous, so work schedules do not have to align with class meeting times, a flexibility shared by many online M.Ed. programs for working teachers.
Tuition and Term Structure
Texas-resident tuition is $1,000 per seven-week term, and ETAMU lists the same rate for bordering-county students. Out-of-state tuition is $2,000 per term, with a possible $30 per-credit-hour surcharge for students from neighboring states. An eligible employee scholarship rate of $300 per term is also listed, but applicants should confirm their eligibility directly. Within a seven-week term, ETAMU designates a five-week acceleration window for students who are ready to move faster. Because tuition is charged per term rather than per credit, ETAMU has not published a fixed total sticker price for the two education degrees. Your total depends on how many credits transfer and how many seven-week terms you need to complete the remaining competencies. The flat-rate subscription model is built around open educational resources and no-cost course materials, which can keep indirect costs down.
Enrollment Timeline
The first enrollment window opened Aug. 31, and early interest came heavily through existing school district partnerships. The programs run year-round in seven-week terms, so a new applicant does not have to wait for a traditional fall or spring semester. Instead, you apply, transfer eligible credits, and begin in the next available term.
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How ETAMU Compares to Other Texas Teacher Prep Routes
Texas offers several paths to teacher certification, and the right choice depends on whether you already hold a bachelor's degree, how much flexibility you need, and how quickly you want to complete requirements. This table compares East Texas A&M's competency-based bachelor's degrees and alternative certification options with WGU Texas, UTRGV, and typical TEA-approved alternative certification programs. Public tuition and fee information is included where available, but you should confirm current costs directly with each provider.
| Pathway | Model | Typical Time | Target Candidate | Cost Notes | Certification Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ETAMU B.S. in Elementary Education (Competency-Based) | Fully online, competency-based bachelor's program with integrated teacher preparation requirements and asynchronous seven-week terms | 3 years | Students seeking preparation to teach Pre-K through 6th grade who need a flexible, fully online competency-based pathway | N/A | Eligibility for Texas Early Childhood through 6th Grade teacher certification upon degree completion and passing required TExES exams |
| ETAMU B.S. in Early Childhood Education (Competency-Based) | Fully online, competency-based bachelor's program that combines degree completion and teacher certification requirements in a single program | N/A | Students aiming to become early childhood educators for children from Pre-K through 3rd grade in a flexible, online CBE format | N/A | Leads to eligibility for Texas early childhood teacher certification when the degree is completed and state exams are passed |
| ETAMU General Studies (BGS) Competency-Based Teacher Pathway | Fully online, competency-based bachelor's degree in General Studies followed by a separate competency-based alternative teacher certification program | Approximately 2 years for the bachelor's degree; total time depends on prior college and professional experience | Current ISD employees in Texas who do not yet hold a bachelor's degree and want a flexible route into teaching | N/A | Bachelor's degree completion followed by eligibility to obtain teacher certification through ETAMU's alternative certification program |
| ETAMU Competency-Based Alternative Teacher Certification | Fully online, competency-based alternative teacher certification program requiring 18 credit hours | 1-1.5 years | Individuals who already hold a bachelor's degree and are seeking a flexible, online competency-based alternative route to teacher certification | N/A | Alternative route leading to educator certification in Texas upon completing program requirements and applicable state exams |
| WGU Texas Undergraduate Teacher Licensure Programs | Online, competency-based bachelor's programs offered by Western Governors University that include teacher licensure pathways for Texas residents | N/A | Texas residents seeking online bachelor's degrees that lead to initial teacher licensure | Average yearly bachelor's degree tuition listed as $8,300 for WGU in 2025-2026 | Designed to lead to initial teacher licensure, including Texas certification, with program-specific licensure costs included as an added component of the cost of attendance |
| UTRGV Undergraduate Education Programs (Standard, not CBE-specific) | Traditional public university undergraduate programs with credit-hour based tuition; any competency-based teacher preparation offerings are not clearly specified in the available tuition table | N/A | Prospective Texas teachers seeking undergraduate education degrees through a traditional public university | UTRGV publishes fall-to-summer undergraduate tuition and fee rates; current-year tables show per-credit and term-based charges for in-state undergraduates, but the specific competency-based teacher program tuition is not separately listed | Undergraduate education degrees at UTRGV lead to eligibility for Texas teacher certification when paired with required educator preparation and state exams, but details for competency-based tracks are not specified in the tuition schedule |
| Typical TEA-Approved Alternative Certification Programs (Texas) | Post-baccalaureate alternative certification routes operated by approved providers, often delivered online or hybrid and sometimes competency-based, separate from a bachelor's degree | Often 1-1.5 years of structured coursework and fieldwork | College graduates who already hold a bachelor's degree and seek a non-traditional, faster route into teaching than completing a new education bachelor's | N/A | Provide an alternative pathway to Texas educator certification upon completing program coursework, clinical requirements, and passing required state licensure exams |
Texes Pass Rates, Placement Outcomes, and Residency Context
New ETAMU teaching degree students will not find a complete TExES pass-rate or placement dataset yet, but they can assemble the clearest possible picture by checking the right public accountability tools. The inaugural cohort began in August 2026, so program-specific outcomes will lag until candidates sit for exams and enter classrooms.
Where to Find Current TExES Pass Rates
Start with the Texas Education Agency's Educator Preparation Program accountability dashboards.1 Search for "East Texas A&M University" or "Texas A&M University-Commerce" to see first-time and best-attempt pass rates by exam year. Because the new competency-based tracks are just starting, the dashboards may show statewide or system-level data, such as Texas A & M University-Kingsville's published rates, before campus-level ETAMU figures appear.
When you contact the program, ask a direct question: "What is your most recent TExES pass rate, and how many candidates were tested?" Texas sets a minimum pass-rate standard of 75% for certain exams and 85% for the Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities exam.1 Use those thresholds to evaluate any Teacher Certification Exams pass rates you receive.
Placement, Retention, and Residency Context
For placement and retention, check ETAMU program pages, partner school district websites, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics Texas teacher employment projections at BLS.gov. Professional associations like ATPE and the Texas Classroom Teachers Association also publish context on hiring and retention trends.
Dallas Teacher Residency and TEA Vetted Teacher Residency programs may hold partnership details not always visible in public dashboards.2 Contact those organizations directly or review their official sites to confirm current ETAMU partnerships, requirements, and cohort outcomes. Ask: "How many ETAMU completers are placed within one year?" and "What retention rate do partner districts report?"
If program-specific outcomes are not public, statewide TEA educator prep accountability data is the best available proxy for understanding typical pass rates and program quality.
From Bachelor's to M.ed.: A Teacher Leadership Pathway
Competency-based preparation is shifting how Texas educators enter the profession, and it may also change how they move toward advanced credentials, such as a teacher leadership degree. East Texas A&M's new B.S. in Early Childhood Education and B.S. in Elementary Education give school district employees a fully online, asynchronous pathway to a bachelor's degree and initial certification. Because early interest has come through district partnerships, many enrollees are already working as paraprofessionals, aides, or substitutes. Completing one of these programs and passing required state exams, part of the teacher certification process steps, creates a direct route into classroom teaching, the experience most Texas M.Ed. and instructional leadership roles expect.
A Practical Foundation, Not an Automatic Bridge
ETAMU has not announced automatic credit transfer agreements between these undergraduate CBE programs and its graduate education offerings. Prospective M.Ed. students should treat the bachelor's degree as a realistic entry point rather than a guaranteed articulated pathway. That said, the seven-week, mastery-based format aligns with working adults, and the district partnerships can reduce the time and cost gap between certification and advanced study.
Planning Beyond Certification
For educators already in Texas schools, finishing an ETAMU bachelor's and gaining two or three years of classroom experience can make an M.Ed. in curriculum, reading, or educational leadership more immediately useful. With the state's certification expectations set to widen by 2030, combining an initial teaching credential with later graduate work may position candidates for roles such as instructional coordinator, literacy specialist, or assistant principal.
What This Means for Aspiring and Current Educators
Enrollment in East Texas A&M's first competency-based bachelor's tracks began August 31 and already exceeded university expectations, signaling strong demand among Texas school staff.
For aspiring educators, the practical next step is to confirm current ETAMU admission requirements and Texas state requirements for elementary school teachers before enrolling. The fully online, asynchronous format and seven-week terms can accelerate degree completion, but they work best for students who can manage steady, self-directed study around a work schedule. Early interest came largely through school district partnerships rather than broad marketing, so ask your district HR office whether a cohort or tuition assistance arrangement exists.
For current school employees and future teacher leaders exploring second-career teaching, those district partnerships may offer an affordable entry point. After certification, East Texas A&M's M.Ed. specialization pathways can support moves into instructional coordination, mentoring, and leadership roles aligned with Texas's 2030 certification changes. Compare total cost and prior-credit options, then talk with an advisor about fitting CBE terms into your year.
