One of the reputed colleges from Texas, Weatherford College has received staff-level approval from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to offer a Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences Degree in Early Childhood Education and Teaching. This new program is set to be Weatherford College’s fourth bachelor’s degree and is scheduled to begin in the Fall semester of 2023.

Bachelor’s Degree in Education is specially designed for students who have already completed an associate degree and those aspiring to expand their education and career opportunities. Offered in a hybrid online format, the said degree program will allow the students to complete their coursework online along with participating in hands-on learning experiences and internships.

Shannon Stoker, WC education department chair said, “This program will open doors for students of this generation and those to come. Students will have access to internships in the community and the ability to reshape communal narratives as they complete their coursework and enter the workforce.”

The degree program will equip individuals to work with a variety of children from new-borns to the sixth grade. As per the Texas Workforce Commission, the requirements for teachers for this age group will rise by more than 30 percent over the next decade.

Weatherford College President Tod Allen Farmer said, “We are thrilled to be able to offer this bachelor’s degree program in education to our students. There is a critical shortage of teachers throughout Texas, and Weatherford College is now poised to help close that gap by producing exceptional teachers. WC is now one of only two community college districts in the state authorized to offer this degree program.”

Established in 1869, Weatherford College embraces a culture of excellence, fostering the success of all of its students and enriching the communities— offering innovative, affordable, and accessible learning and cultural opportunities.