Tarrant County College (TCC) is set to introduce its inaugural bachelor’s degree program in fall 2026, focusing on early childhood education. This initiative aims to address the growing demand for qualified educators in North Texas, particularly in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. The Bachelor of Applied Science in Early Childhood Education was approved on Thursday by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, the regulatory body overseeing public higher education institutions in the state.
The decision comes as job openings for early childhood educators are projected to rise by 17% by 2028, with certified elementary school teacher positions expected to grow by 11%, according to Daniel Lufkin, president of TCC South Campus. He emphasized the program’s importance, stating, “This will prioritize the needs of young children and the development of early childhood professionals in Tarrant County.”
Under recent legislative changes, Texas community colleges can now offer up to five bachelor’s degrees in applied science, applied technology, or nursing to better align with workforce needs. TCC Chancellor Elva LeBlanc expressed that the college values its collaborations with local universities, viewing this new program as a means to complement, rather than compete with, existing educational offerings. “This approach helps ensure North Texas has the early childhood educators it needs while giving students more accessible options to complete their degrees,” she stated.
The demand for early childhood educators is critical, as indicated by an October study revealing that current early childhood education programs in Texas are not producing enough graduates to meet job openings. According to Elizabeth Mayer, assistant commissioner for academic and health affairs at the coordinating board, only 18% of early childhood educators in Tarrant County hold at least a bachelor’s degree, which is lower than the percentages seen in the broader Dallas and North Central Texas regions.
The study highlighted that well-staffed childcare centers could effectively serve 74% of Tarrant County’s children aged zero to five with working parents. The shortage of educators poses challenges for families requiring affordable childcare, a situation that disproportionately affects mothers, who are more likely than fathers to leave the workforce to care for their children.
In response to these pressing needs, the new degree program will combine classroom instruction with practical experience in the field. TCC plans to enroll approximately 50 to 60 students in its initial cohort at the South Campus. Recruitment efforts will target students from the college’s Associate of Arts in Teaching program, alongside current educators who lack the bachelor’s degree needed for full teaching positions.
Classes for the new degree will be available in both in-person and online formats. TCC intends to leverage its existing faculty, with seven current members contributing to the program and plans to hire four additional staff by the fifth year. Graduates who aspire to become certified teachers can enroll in TCC’s teacher preparation program upon completing their degree.
Next steps involve TCC applying for a level-change from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to officially recognize the bachelor’s degree as the highest credential offered by the institution. A decision from SACSCOC is anticipated in June 2026.
This initiative marks a significant step for Tarrant County College as it responds to local educational needs while providing new opportunities for aspiring early childhood educators.
