Educator Preparation Program
The College of Education offers routes to educator certification for:
Staff Testimonials
Andrew Gilbert | Teaches Education Courses
"DBU has the best education program in the nation. This means that the educators produced by the program are ready and equipped to conquer the challenges of the classroom today. The bar is high, but so are the stakes when we are given a classroom of students to lead and grow."
Dr. Brian Horn | Teaches Education Courses
"I want my students to view themselves as future teachers with confidence, faith, compassion, love, and to view their students the way that Christ views other students."
Student Testimonials
Hannah Jones | Education Major
Since graduating from DBU, Hannah Jones has worked as a 2nd grade teacher in Forney ISD.
"The education program at DBU is unique simply because of the skills it provides that truly prepare you for the future and the professors who are invested in your success. The program at DBU gives you multiple opportunities to observe in various classrooms and practice teaching lessons. Field Base courses pushed me out of my comfort zone but ultimately helped me grow as a future educator. These courses allowed me to step foot in a real classroom and work with students by using what I was currently learning in my classes. Because of the College of Education, I could graduate and confidently walk into a classroom feeling prepared, ready, and excited to welcome my students. Many educators start their careers without proper training in teaching students how to read. I am so thankful to DBU for taking the time to make sure their students know how to teach reading because it has allowed me to impact so many students' lives and set them up for success!"
How Does Declaring A Major Work?
Students who pursue educator certification do not declare a major in "education."
Students seeking EC-6 or Grades 4-8 certification are "interdisciplinary academic" majors.
Students pursuing Grades 7-12 certification will major in one of the following disciplines/teaching fields: biology, English, history, mathematics, natural sciences, or speech communication. Students pursuing 8-12 computer science will major in computer science.
Students pursuing EC-12 certification must choose a major in choral music. All students seeking certification must meet State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) and university Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree requirements, or Bachelor of Music Education (B.M.E.) degree requirements for EC-Grade 12 Music Education Teacher Certification (Choral).
Requirements for Supplementary Special Education Certification
Education students pursuing supplementary special education certification must first meet the requirements of their content area programs. The Council for Exceptional Children, the national standards provider, states that highly qualified special education teachers first have training and certification in a content area: elementary (EC-6) or secondary reading/English language arts, math, science, and/or history; then specialized instruction in how to design plans, instruct, and evaluate the needs of unique learners (those with qualifying disabilities and/or health impairments, and/or gifted and talented.) All teacher candidates seeking certification must meet the requirements of the supplementary program and the certification requirements from State Board for Educator Certification.
Required scores, as determined by the College of Education, must be achieved prior to admission to the Educator Preparation Program. No education courses (EDUC, ECHE, nor READ), with the exception of EDUC 1017 and EDUC 3313 may be taken without the approval of the academic advisor, until the student is accepted into the Educator Preparation Program.
Certification is available for post-baccalaureate students through the Pathways to Teaching Program in the College of Education. See the Master of Education in Teaching Program in the Graduate Catalog for further details.
