The coursework during this first year of study is based on completing your Texas Core Curriculum and the first two years at UNTD aligns to the Associates in Applied Teaching (AAT).  Whether you decide to join us as a first year student or as a transfer student, we are here to support you during your college experience.

Courses include English, Math, History and Education. Students take classes in the School of Education and School of Liberal Arts and Sciences as they sharpen their intellect. These courses are important foundations to the upcoming Teacher Education courses and certification exams.

The coursework in year two will complete the Texas Core Curriculum and prepare students for their education coursework.

The Core Curriculum is designed to improve student knowledge in the area of science, math, social studies, and English/language arts.  These courses will build the content foundation for certification exams and improve their ability to teach the information to students in K-12 classrooms.

Some students join us as 3rd year (Junior) students.  UNTD will fully accept your AAT with no deficiencies.  This means that you don’t have any additional coursework to compete past the required 60 credits.

Whether you are new to UNTD or continuing your education, the third year will include Teacher Education coursework which increases with a focus on educational foundations, pedagogy, and instructional strategies. Students will focus on their chosen pathway and develop their area of expertise to develop strategies that allow them to respond to learner’s needs. Students prepare for and begin taking certification exams.  During this year, students begin working with students in the classroom through field observations that will contribute to classroom discussions and help put theory into practice.

Clinical I coursework includes methods classes focused on content-specific pedagogy. Students also begin spending 1-2 days in the field each week in an assigned school with a mentor teacher. During Clinical I, students start by observing a teacher and end the semester responsible for leading small group learning.

Clinical II is the Student Teaching semester. Candidates spend 70+ days in a classroom based on their chosen pathway.  They are assigned a mentor teacher and a field supervisor to help support their work in the classroom.  Additionally, they attend a seminar with a faculty member to discuss what is happening in the classroom and debrief their experiences. 

The semester ends with opportunities for preferential hiring in local school districts, and of course—the most exciting experience of all – graduation!

The Education programs at UNTD are competency-based and offer candidates experiences and opportunities to practice observing students in classrooms and teach lessons prior to student teaching. The faculty in the School of Education facilitate a deeper understanding of the post-COVID students in the classroom setting, the challenges teachers face, and what it takes to foster student wellbeing and achievement.

Candidates are exposed to innovative methods in critical disciplines such special education, bilingual education, Spanish education, and English as a Second Language (ESL). This ensures UNT Dallas graduates will be in high demand across the region. We prepare students to work with individuals from a variety of backgrounds and circumstances, including those from low-income communities and those with different cultural, linguistic, and life experiences.

UNT Dallas provides support for each student throughout their educational journey and provides meaningful feedback as they hone their craft. Candidates learn cutting-edge instructional strategies and social-emotional support for all candidates, while also providing a strong peer support network and professional development resources for graduates already in the classroom. Mental health, mindfulness, and social-emotional learning opportunities are provided to students and teachers to ensure they practice self-care in a demanding profession.

UNTD Graduates are in high demand across the region due to our innovative methods in disciplines such as special education, bilingual education, Spanish Education, and English as a Second Language (ESL). To ensure students receive the best possible training,  our faculty and staff work closely with school districts and charter networks throughout North Texas, as well as partners with community-based institutions.