Pre-Elementary Education (Associate in Arts, 2017-2018)

Program Info

Effective Term
Fall 2017
Year Established
1995
Program Code
PELED.AA
Degree Type
Associate in Arts

Program Description

Description

Designed for students seeking teacher certification in Elementary Education. This degree focuses on teaching children in grades K-8. Upon completion of this program students are eligible for work in various education and child care professions, however, transfer to and completion of a four-year university teacher preparation program is necessary for full teacher certification. When following university articulation guides, graduates pursuing a bachelor's degree should be able to transfer all of the required and elective coursework toward that degree.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, students should be able to:

  1. Apply current educational theories and practices to a classroom setting.
  2. Apply humanities concepts within the pre-kindergarten through middle school classroom.
  3. Apply knowledge of the physical, emotional, intellectual, and social development theories of the learner in a school setting.
  4. Apply knowledge of the exceptionalities, learning environments, and laws as they relate to special education programs.
  5. Develop lesson plans implementing educational software for grades P-8.
  6. Analyze elementary and middle school mathematics at the level necessary for teaching.
  7. Construct scientific knowledge using inquiry-based techniques.
  8. Follow appropriate health, physical education, nutrition, and safety practices for K-8 classrooms.
Career Opportunities

Pre-Elementary Education program graduates may seek employment in child development centers. They are also able to work as an au pair, tutors, para-professionals, assistant pre-school teachers, and before/after school program group leaders in a variety of educational settings. For those wishing to teach in K-8 schools, completion of a four-year teacher preparation program with teacher certification is necessary.

This degree requires coursework that can be transferred to most four-year teacher preparation programs without loss of credit. The elective component of this program allows students to select courses that apply toward the bachelor's degree at their intended transfer institution. Students are encouraged to consult the university guide sheets in the University Transfer, Advising, and Career Counseling Center located in Learning Resources Center.


Admission Requirements

Additional Program Requirements

The law requires new teachers, school administrators, school psychologists, and other personnel to provide documentation of a completed criminal record check. Students who complete field experiences as part of their HFC coursework must provide a statewide criminal record check prior to working with children in public or non-public schools.

General Education

See General Education Requirements for details.

Category 4: Social Sciences
Complete any one, from a different discipline (other than PSY).*
Category 6: Natural Sciences
Complete any one, lab-based course, from a different discipline (other than SCI).*
Credit Hours
7.00

Program Requirements

Note
  • *Computer Technology: Consult your advisor, counselor, or transfer institution, for transfer institution major/minor requirements.
  • *Humanities: Consult your advisor, counselor, or transfer institution, for transfer institution major/minor requirements.
  • *Natural Sciences: Consult your advisor, counselor, or transfer institution, for transfer institution major/minor requirements.
Note
Note
Elective Hours
5.00
Minimum Total Credit Hours
60.00