Early Childhood Education and Teaching (BAS)

• The Bachelor of Applied Science in Early Childhood Education and Teaching (BAS ECET) at Lone Star College is designed to prepare the next generation of early childhood and elementary educators with the knowledge, skills, and credentials necessary to make a lasting impact in the field of education. This program provides a comprehensive and practical approach to early childhood education, integrating theory with hands-on experience to develop highly competent and reflective educators.
• The BAS ECET program focuses on key areas such as child development, curriculum design, inclusive teaching strategies, classroom management, and educational leadership. Through a combination of coursework, field experiences, and applied learning opportunities, students will gain the expertise required to support diverse learners and create engaging learning environments for young children.
• Our program is structured to accommodate both aspiring educators and current professionals looking to advance their careers. Students will benefit from a flexible learning format, expert faculty, and a curriculum aligned with state and national standards for early childhood education.
• Graduates of the BAS ECET program will be well-equipped to pursue careers as early childhood and elementary teachers, program directors, instructional coordinators, and other leadership roles in educational settings. By fostering a strong foundation in best practices and innovative teaching methodologies, this program empowers students to shape the future of early childhood education in our communities.
• Program Highlights
• Our program integrates the latest research and best practices in early childhood and elementary education, ensuring that graduates are well-equipped to meet the evolving demands of the industry.
• Extensive fieldwork and practical training provide students with real-world teaching experiences in diverse early childhood settings. Field-based experiences are integrated throughout the program, beginning in the first semester and culminating in clinical teaching during the final semester. Additionally, students will have opportunities for paid field-based experiences in partnership with a non-profit organization.
• Designed for working professionals, our program offers hybrid and online courses to accommodate varying schedules and commitments, making it easier for students to balance their education with other responsibilities.
• Partnerships with local schools and community organizations provide students with valuable networking and employment opportunities, ensuring strong industry connections that can lead to future career success.
• Beyond classroom instruction, our program fosters leadership skills that prepare graduates for roles that may lead them into leadership positions in the field of early childhood and elementary education.
• Our program offers a high-quality education at a fraction of the cost of traditional educator preparation programs, making it an affordable and accessible option for students across Lone Star College's service areas.
• With a strong emphasis on local workforce needs, our program ensures that graduates are prepared to serve their communities effectively. Various partnerships with local education agencies help students secure employment opportunities near their home communities.
• Students benefit from smaller class sizes, individualized attention, and dedicated faculty mentorship, fostering a supportive and enriching learning environment.
• Credentials and Careers
• Students in the BAS ECET program will develop expertise in child development, curriculum design, inclusive teaching strategies, classroom management, and educational leadership. They will learn to create engaging and supportive learning environments, plan and assess instruction effectively, and work with diverse learners. Additionally, students will gain hands-on experience through fieldwork and clinical teaching, preparing them for careers as early childhood and elementary educators and leaders in the field.
• Students will be eligible to sit for licensure for State Board of Educator Certification to be a certified Texas Teacher in public schools for Early Childhood through third grade and Early Childhood through sixth grade.
• Upon completing the BAS ECET, graduates are qualified to apply for early childhood center leadership roles such as assistant directors, directors, and/or managers of those childcare centers.
• Transferability
• Graduates of the bachelor’s degree program may pursue related Master’s degrees at many four-year institutions.

• Demonstrate College-Level Readiness:
• Completion of an associate’s degree with a transcript notating college readiness in reading, writing, and mathematics or the equivalent
• Applicants must satisfy one of the following:
• Associate of Applied Science in Early Childhood Education (must be Texas Core Curriculum complete)
• Associate of Arts in Teaching (must be Texas Core Curriculum complete)
• Associate of Arts or Associate of Science plus completion of the following courses: EDUC 1301 - Introduction to the Teaching Professions
• EDUC 2301 - Introduction - Special Populations
• MATH 1350 - Mathematics for Teachers (Fundamentals of Mathematics I)
• MATH 1351 - Mathematics for Teachers (Fundamentals of Mathematics II)
• Transfer degrees will be evaluated for equivalency.
• Complete all program prerequisites
• Minimum GPA of 2.75 To be admitted into the Educator Preparation Program (EPP) at Lone Star College (LSC), a minimum GPA of 2.75 is required. This GPA must be an overall GPA, either in all coursework or in the last 60 semester hours. This is required to ensure LSC’s EPP maintains compliance with 19 TAC §227.19 Incoming Class Grade Point Average. (a) The overall grade point average (GPA) of each incoming class admitted between September 1 and August 31 of each year by an educator preparation program (EPP), including an alternative certification program, may not be less than 3.00 on a four-point scale or the equivalent
• Complete Lone Star College application in ApplyTexas for the BAS-ECET and submit all college transcripts. Meet all general LSC admission requirements.
• Complete Lone Star College supplemental questionnaire for admission to the BAS-ECET.
• Applicants must also submit: LSC Educator Preparation Program (EPP) Admissions Form
• Resume
• 3 Reference Forms (using the forms provided by the EPP)
• 1 Page Essay - "Why I want to be a teacher"
• Attend a New Student Orientation session hosted by the LSC EPP
• Admission Appeals Process
• The Bachelor’s Degree Programs have competitive admission processes. Admission denials may occur due to failure to meet admission criteria, such as not having a qualifying associate’s degree or not meeting the admission GPA requirement. Students may appeal denials by submitting the appeal form with ten (10) business days of the date the admission decision notification was sent.
• All admission appeals must include a personal statement and any supporting documents, such as transcripts, letters of recommendation, etc. The Executive Dean will review the appeal and communicate the decision to the student within ten (10) business days of receiving the appeal. The Executive Dean’s decision regarding admission appeals will be considered final.

• This award requires 120 credit hours in total.
• Lone Star College reports 1248 contact hours for this award.
• Lone Star College publishes 2 curriculum paths to this award: Early Childhood and the Teaching Profession EC-3 Track, Early Childhood and the Teaching Profession EC-6 Track. Courses shared by every path are listed once; courses that belong to one path are labelled with it.
• Where the course list shows "Choose N credit hours", those courses are the options for one elective slot, not additional requirements.

• Prepare clear, well-organized, sequential, engaging, and flexible lessons that reflect best practice, align with standards and related content, are appropriate for all learners, and encourage higher-order thinking, persistence, and achievement.
• Formally and informally collect, analyze, and use student progress data to inform instruction and make needed lesson adjustments.
• Ensure high levels of learning and achievement for all students through knowledge of students, proven practices, and differentiated instruction.
• Clearly and accurately communicate to support persistence, deeper learning, and effective effort.
• Organize a safe, accessible, and efficient classroom.
• Establish, communicate, and maintain clear expectations for student behavior.
• Lead a mutually respectful and collaborative class of actively engaged learners.
• Meet expectations for attendance, professional appearance, decorum, procedural, ethical, legal, and statutory responsibilities.
• Reflect on his or her practice.
• Effectively communicate with students, families, colleagues, and community members.
• Proactively implement instructional planning techniques and inclusive practices for all students, including students with disabilities.
• Effectively implement open education resource instructional materials included on the list of approved instructional materials maintained by the State Board of Education under Texas Education Code, §31.022, in each subject area and grade level covered by the certification category.

• Tuition shown is the in-district rate of $111.00 per credit hour for 120 credit hours.
• Out-of-district Texas residents pay $249.00 per credit hour ($29,880.00); international and out-of-state students pay $313.00 per credit hour ($37,560.00).
• Lab fees vary by course and liability insurance, uniforms and supplies vary by program, so Lone Star College publishes no all-in total for this award. Tuition above excludes them.
• Financial aid and payment plans are available to most students.
• Application fee: none. Lone Star College applications are free.

Texas Teacher Certification

• Candidates must undergo a criminal history background check prior to clinical teaching and prior to employment as an educator.
• A person who is enrolled or planning to enroll in a State Board for Educator Certification-approved educator preparation program or planning to take a certification examination may request a preliminary criminal history evaluation letter regarding the person's potential ineligibility for certification due to a conviction or deferred adjudication for a felony or misdemeanor offense.
• A request for preliminary criminal history evaluation must be preceded by payment of the required criminal history evaluation fee. The request and fee must be submitted to TEA.

• Texas Education Agency
• 1701 N. Congress Avenue
• Austin, Texas, 78701
• (512) 463-9734