The College of Education at Southwest University (SU) was developed through ongoing collaboration with workforce organizations, school districts, educators, and state agencies beginning in 2023. Early discussions with Workforce Borderplex identified teaching as a regional “Hot Job,” highlighting critical shortages of certified teachers in the Borderplex region. Meetings with district leaders, administrators, principals, instructional coaches, and educators further emphasized urgent needs in special education, bilingual education, English as a Second Language (ESL), and Career and Technical Education (CTE), which directly shaped SU’s certification pathways and curriculum development.
SU also worked closely with the Texas Education Agency (TEA) throughout the Educator Preparation Program (EPP) approval process and received feedback from Region 19 Education Service Center (ESC 19), paraprofessionals, and local education stakeholders. Additional focus groups with teachers and campus leaders provided insight into classroom challenges and the skills future educators need for success.
The College of Education and its Educator Preparation Program were officially presented to and approved by the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) in December 2025. This approval authorizes SU to prepare candidates for Texas educator certification through state-approved pathways designed to meet the needs of Texas schools and students.
Accreditation, Degree Recognition, and Certification Eligibility
Southwest University is institutionally accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES), an accrediting agency recognized by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB). Under Texas Administrative Code §230.1(1), an institution of higher education is considered accredited when it is accredited or approved by an accrediting organization recognized by THECB.
As an institutionally accredited university, all degree programs offered by Southwest University are recognized by THECB and are subject to applicable approval processes through state agencies, including the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and the Texas Workforce Commission.
Graduates of SU’s approved Bachelor of Science in Education programs earn degrees from a THECB-recognized institution and, through the SBEC-approved Educator Preparation Program, are eligible to pursue the appropriate Texas educator certification examinations in accordance with state requirements.
For additional information regarding recognized accrediting agencies, please visit the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board’s Recognition of Accrediting Agencies webpage at Recognition of Accrediting Agencies – Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board
Community Partnerships and Continuous Improvement
To maintain alignment with workforce and community needs, SU established an advisory committee consisting of principals, teachers, instructional coaches, ESC 19 representatives, and community partners. SU continues to participate in regional educational initiatives, including the El Paso Educator Community of Practice, to strengthen the educator pipeline and support teacher development across the Borderplex region.
Through these sustained partnerships, Southwest University designed the College of Education to address regional educator shortages while preparing highly qualified future teachers equipped to serve diverse learners and communities across Texas.
