Abilene Christian University is excited to announce a new partnership with Region 18 Education Service Center to offer fully online degree programs and professional development pathways for students interested in becoming educators, current teaching professionals, and school administrators in the West Texas region.
To address the ongoing teacher shortage in West Texas, ACU and Region 18 are developing innovative pathways for aspiring teachers to obtain their teaching certification, undergraduate degree or graduate degree. This partnership also focuses on enhancing the skills of current teachers and future district leaders by offering unique opportunities to earn graduate degrees to further propel their leadership capacities within their district.
“ACU Online and Region 18 are dedicated to providing innovative and cutting-edge educational solutions to develop the next generation of educators and administrators in West Texas Our approach is centered on fostering excellence and instilling a deep sense of vocational purpose,” said Dr. Dewitt Smith, Executive Director.
The partnership includes four key pathways, providing specialized programs for high school students, paraprofessionals, certified teachers, and district administrators.
Classroom to Career: In collaboration with Region 18, this program connects motivated high school students interested in education careers with mentoring faculty members to earn dual credit towards an associate’s degree. Upon graduation, this prepares them to enter their school’s talent pool of qualified teaching aides. With reduced tuition rates, students can work as certified instructors within their district and be offered guaranteed admission into ACU’s online Bachelor of Science in Integrated Studies program. This prepares them to become fully licensed teachers in their home district within two years after high school graduation.
Level Up: Focused on enhancing instructional quality at Region 18 schools, this program allows current paraprofessionals to earn their undergraduate degree and teaching certification through co-enrollment in ACU’s online Bachelor of Science in Integrated Studies program and Region 18’s online Educator Certificate Program.
Advancing Teachers: As classrooms become more diverse and technologically advanced, the need for qualified teachers grows. ACU’s online Master of Education in Instruction and Learning program enables current educators to improve their skills by becoming master teachers capable of enhancing learning for their students and peers. This program equips teachers to handle the increasing diversity in today’s classrooms and advance their careers into administrative roles.
Doctor of Education Program for Leaders: ACU’s online Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership and Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership programs will equip Region 18 teachers to excel in strategic leadership, human organization and collaboration to make a difference in their schools and communities. These programs enhance administrators’ gifts and talents through reflective practice and guide individuals in finding personal meaning and purpose in their work with students and staff.
“Region 18 serves a significant rural student population in need of skilled teachers and campus leaders to support their success,” said Jessica Manning, chief enrollment and partnerships officer at ACU’s Dallas campus. “Through this partnership, we can help align each individual’s career goals with their unique strengths, passions and aspirations by offering advanced degree pathways for aspiring and current educators..”
ACU’s online programs are administered through its branch location in Dallas and include 14 bachelor’s degrees, 16 master’s degrees, three doctoral degrees, five undergraduate certificate programs and ten graduate certificate programs. For more about Region 18 programs offered through ACU Online, visit acu.edu/region-18.