San Jacinto College will launch a Bachelors of Applied Science in Early Childhood Education starting Spring 2024. This is the third Bachelors program that the college will offer.

“We do advise everyone that the program is designed for students who are currently pursuing the Associate of Applied Science in Early Childhood Education.  This program will stack seamlessly into the Bachelor of Applied Science degree,” says Albert Tally, Department Chair, Bachelor of Education.

The Bachelor of Applied Science in Early Childhood Education degree program is an open-enrollment program. 

 “Students who are currently enrolled in the Associate of Arts in Teaching, General Studies, or any other degree plan, do have a pathway, but will need to meet with a program advisor to discuss the coursework they have completed,” says Tally.

Meeting with an advisor will aid students interested in enrolling. 

“We do recommend that all students interested in enrolling in the BAS in Education with an emphasis in Early Childhood Education meet with a program advisor to discuss the course work they have completed and how it fits into the pathway,” says Tally. 

The Bachelor of Applied Science in Early Childhood Education offers an opportunity for students to work with children from six-weeks-old to third grade. Graduates of the program are eligible to work in  early childhood organizations, such as Head Start. Graduates can also apply for teacher certification to teach  grade levels of preschool to third grade in public schools.

“We want to make sure students who are pursuing a teaching certification are aware that to enroll in any alternative certification program while working in a school district they will need to graduate with a minimum of a 2.75 grade point average,” says Tally.

The Bachelor of Applied Sciences in Early Childhood Education was created based on the community’s needs. 

“Several years ago, we began compiling research to determine the need for a bachelor’s degree at San Jacinto College and how it could serve our service area.  Our local independent School District partners and early childhood providers and organizations such as Head Start programs, Early Learning Centers, Children’s Learning Institute all echoed the need for highly qualified early childhood educators,” says Tally. 

The community was just one area of research.

“Next, we began to survey students to gauge their interest and pulled local workforce data for our region.  With this information we found even more support for offering a Bachelor of Applied Science in Education with an emphasis in Early Childhood Education,” says Tally. 

Once the community and student body was surveyed, a grant was obtained.

“With the help of a $1.5 million dollar grant through the Houston Endowment we have been able to move forward with offering students that option.  We believe our program will provide students with hands on learning experience that makes them highly qualified to work with young children at a low cost,” says Tally. 

The program offering falls in line with current course offerings and flexibility in course delivery method. 

“Courses will be offered online, hybrid, face-to-face, and online on-a-schedule.  Courses will be offered as 8-week courses.  We recognize that many of our students have jobs and families and we know that we must be able to support all of our students and meet them where they are,” says Tally. 

Expected enrollment for the first program cohort is 50 students. 

“There could possibly be more based on the popularity of the program,” says Tally.

The program is a stackable program that results in a 120 hour degree. 

“All coursework in both the Occupational Certificates and the Certificates of Technology is embedded into the Associate of Applied Science in Early childhood and then into the Bachelor of Applied Science in Education with an emphasis in Early Childhood Education,” says Tally.

The community and student needs is also a concern for future graduates of the program. 

“We are currently working with the Independent School Districts and Head Start programs within our service area to hire students while they are enrolled in the program.  Students will receive on the job training while in these settings while they are completing their coursework,” says Tally..

For more information about program enrollment meet with a program advisor with the Advising, Career and Transfer office. For general information regarding the BAS Early Childhood Education program click here.