New Texas 2-Step Teacher Certification Program with Howard College
October 20, 2022
Angelo State University has entered into a partnership agreement with Howard College to offer the new Texas 2-Step Teacher Certification Program, which is designed to help address the shortage of public school teachers in the region and the state.
Building on ASU’s legacy of graduating high-quality teachers, the Texas 2-Step program focuses on assisting paraprofessionals in public school districts reach their goal of becoming a classroom teacher. ASU is partnering with Howard College to provide paraprofessionals with the foundational coursework and intensive field experience to become classroom-ready teachers, with coursework delivered 100% online.
The program involves two distinct steps:
- Completion of 60 credit hours to earn an Associate of Arts in Teaching (A.A.T.) degree from Howard College, followed by a seamless transition to ASU.
- Completion of the remaining 60 credit hours of coursework and field experiences to earn a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Interdisciplinary Studies – Early Childhood to Grade 6 Generalist with Teacher Certification degree from ASU.
Paraprofessionals who enter the Texas 2-Step program will maintain their employment within their school district while completing their Howard College and ASU curriculum online.
Additional benefits for paraprofessionals in the Texas 2-Step program include:
- Transcript review and degree planning assistance
- Structured support and mentorship from their school district and ASU personnel
- Eligibility for financial aid through a variety of sources
- Specialized preparation for TExES teacher certification exams
For the Texas 2-Step program, paraprofessionals are “aides” or “educational aides” who work in schools alongside classroom teachers. They can take on a variety of roles, depending on the needs of the district.
More details on the Texas 2-Step program are available at angelo.edu/Texas-2-step.