New teaching degree offered through TTU

Anyone who would like to become a certified elementary teacher can earn a complete undergraduate degree in teaching through a new program called Hill Country Project TEACH. Students may attend Texas Tech University at Highland Lakes, Fredericksburg or the TTU Center at Junction.

Information sessions on Project TEACH and financial aid workshops will be Feb. 25 at 5:30 p.m. at Texas Tech University at Highland Lakes in the Frank Fickett Educational Center, 806 Steve Hawkins Pkwy., Marble Falls. All potential students, school paraprofessionals and parents are invited to attend.

Texas Tech University, Central Texas College and Austin Community College are partnering to deliver an undergraduate degree with preparation for elementary teacher certification to residents of the Hill Country.

This program is designed for recent high school graduates as well as the working adult. School paraprofessionals can earn this degree while they work and may qualify for free tuition and fees through the State Education Aide Exemption.

With this degree, a student can earn a generalist certification to teach Early Childhood through sixth grade (EC-6), as well as English as a Second Language certification preparation. Proficient Spanish-speaking students can take additional coursework to earn bilingual certification.

This new degree is part of Project TEACH, a grant funded by the U.S. Department of Education, which provides financial aid to students for the ESL and bilingual courses.

Texas Tech will admit students who have completed at least 45 hours of core curriculum and meet GPA requirements into the first cohort, beginning in August. Students with fewer than 45 hours can start working at CTC or ACC to complete an associate of arts in teaching and transfer to Texas Tech to complete the degree.

Courses will be a blended delivery of face-to-face, interactive video conferencing and online, with opportunities for students to gain actual classroom experience.

For more information, call Texas Tech University at Highland Lakes at (830) 798-9548.