Education/Teaching
Associate Degree
A.A. in Liberal Studies for Elementary Teacher Education
This is a multidisciplinary program designed for students planning to teach in the elementary school setting. The coursework provides students with foundational knowledge necessary for transfer to a teacher preparation program at a four year college or university and career success as educators, including courses covering pedagogy, professional knowledge, and discipline specific subject matter.
Further education at the university level will be necessary to fulfill the requirements for a teaching credential authorizing service in California public schools.
Required preparation for a bachelor’s degree in this major can vary widely, so it is critical that students planning to transfer to a four year college or university meet with a counselor.
Catalog Date: August 1, 2024
Degree Requirements
| Course Code | Course Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| BIOL 303 | Survey of Biology | 4 |
| COMM 361 | The Communication Experience (3) | 3 |
| or COMM 301 | Introduction to Public Speaking (3) | |
| ECE 312 | Child Development (3) | 3 |
| or PSYC 372 | Child Development (3) | |
| ECE 350 | Introduction to Elementary Teaching with Field Experience (3) | 3 |
| or ENGED 324 | Introduction to Elementary Teaching with Field Experience (3) | |
| ENGED 305 | Structure of English | 3 |
| ENGED 320 | Service Learning: Tutoring Elementary Students in Reading | 3 |
| ENGWR 300 | College Composition (3) | 3 - 4 |
| or ENGWR 480 | Honors College Composition (3) | |
| or ESLW 340 | Advanced Composition (4) | |
| ENGWR 301 | College Composition and Literature (3) | 3 - 4 |
| or ENGWR 302 | Advanced Composition and Critical Thinking (3) | |
| or ENGWR 303 | Argumentative Writing and Critical Thinking Through Literature (4) | |
| or ENGWR 481 | Honors College Composition and Literature (3) | |
| or ENGWR 482 | Honors Advanced Composition and Critical Thinking (3) | |
| or ESL 350 | Critical Reading, Research and Writing Through Literature (4) | |
| GEOL 305 | Earth Science (3) | 4 |
| and GEOL 306 | Earth Science Laboratory (1) | |
| HIST 307 | History of World Civilizations to 1500 (3) | 3 |
| or HIST 308 | History of World Civilizations, 1500 to Present (3) | |
| HIST 310 | History of the United States (To 1877) (3) | 3 |
| or HIST 483 | History of the United States - Honors (3) | |
| MATH 310 | Mathematical Discovery | 3 |
| POLS 301 | Introduction to Government: United States (3) | 3 |
| or POLS 481 | Introduction to Government: United States - Honors (3) | |
| Total Units: | 41 - 43 |
The Liberal Studies for Elementary Teacher Education Associate in Arts (A.A.) degree may be obtained by completion of the required program, plus general education requirements, plus sufficient electives to meet a 60-unit total. See ARC graduation requirements.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:
- identify the requirements and expectations of the teaching profession.
- integrate the attitudes, actions, dispositions, and behaviors required of a professional educator into a teaching skill set.
- apply knowledge of child development and learning theories to assess the characteristics of teaching practices and learning conditions.
- examine and apply culturally relevant, anti-bias, and equity-based teaching practices in educational settings.
- clarify and articulate professional goals as an educator.
- build a knowledge base in a number of general education topics necessary for teaching multiple subjects in the elementary school setting.
- apply analytical reading, writing, research, and critical thinking skills to gain knowledge and teach it to others.
Career Information
Students completing the program have the ability to work in before and after school programs and as instructional assistants in elementary and middle schools. Upon completing the required university level work, students can be employed as an elementary or middle school teacher.
Check Out Degree Planner
If you're interested in a transfer degree (AA-T or AS-T), then check out Degree Planner, a tool that helps you complete your degree efficiently by mapping out what courses to take and when to take them.
ARC Teacher Preparation Program
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