The Elementary Education AA degree transfer major prepares students with a foundation in education principles, theory and practice, and exposes them to complex problems and relations in the field of education. Teachers play an essential role in fostering the intellectual and social development of children in their formative years. Using a variety of active learning approaches, teachers help students understand abstract principles, solve problems and develop critical thought process. Teaching grades K-6 educators provide the tools and the environment for their students to develop into responsible citizens.

All students must clear a background check to be enrolled in education classes.

This degree is designed for students to complete the first two years of a four-year teaching degree program, earning their Associate of Arts. Students then transfer to an accredited teacher's education program at a public or private four-year college or university.

For specific information regarding program rules and expectations, please view the Early Childhood Education & Teacher Education Programs Handbook.

Summary Sheet

The summary sheet provides a program overview and other information.

Download the summary sheet.

Curriculum Sequence

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Fall Semester I	Course Title	Credit
EDU-212	Educational Foundations	3
EDU-920	Field Experience	2
MAT-117	Math for Elementary Teachers	3
ENG-105	Composition I	3
POL-111	American National Government	3
SDV-108	The College Experience	1
	TOTAL CREDITS	15

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Spring Semester I	Course Title	Credit
ECE-123	Family, Teacher and Community Interaction	3
EDU-220	Human Relations for the Classroom Teacher	3
ENG-106	Composition II	3
Take one of these courses totaling 3 Credits
ECE-170	Child Growth and Development	3
PSY-111	Introduction to Psychology	3
	TOTAL CREDITS	12

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Fall Semester II	Course Title	Credit
ECE-133	Child Health, Safety and Nutrition	3
EDU-235	Children's Literature	3
EDU-240	Educational Psychology	3
SPC-112	Public Speaking	3
ZZZ-HUM	Humanities Course	3
	TOTAL CREDITS	15

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Spring Semester II	Course Title	Credit
EDU-245	Exceptional Learners	3
EDU-255	Technology in the Classroom	3
HIS-152	US History Since 1877	3
SOC-110	Introduction to Sociology	3
ZZZ-LAB	Lab Science Course	3-5
	TOTAL CREDITS	NaN - NaN

EDU-212 - Educational Foundations

Lecture: 3

Credit: 3

This survey course is designed to examine the historical, philosophical, sociological, political, economic and legal foundations of the American public education system. Students will explore the nature of school environments, design and organization of school curriculum and characteristics of effective schools and instruction in grades P-12. Educational structures, practices and projections for the future will be studied. Corequisite: EDU-920.

EDU-920 - Field Experience

Lecture: 1

Lab: 1

Credit: 2

Field Experience provides the student an opportunity to observe a teacher in a local classroom and to work with students in that classroom under direct supervision of the cooperating teacher. Students will be required to complete 32 observation hours. The student will complete observation documents during their required hours in the classroom. Corequisite: EDU-212.

MAT-117 - Math for Elementary Teachers

Lecture: 3

Credit: 3

This course is recommended for students pursuing a teaching degree in elementary education. It provides opportunities to better understand mathematical content practices as a foundation for teaching mathematics in an elementary classroom. Topics will include the NCTM Principles and Standards for School Mathematics, problem-solving strategies, set theory, number systems, operations in the real number systems, informal geometry, elementary probability, and statistics. 

ENG-105 - Composition I

Lecture: 3

Credit: 3

A study of the principles of writing. Emphasis on rhetoric, mechanics and development of expository patterns: narration, description illustration, comparison/contrast, classification, process and cause/effect. Required for AA and AS Degrees. Prerequisite: Meet minimum test score requirements.

POL-111 - American National Government

Lecture: 3

Credit: 3

A survey of the American federal system of government which includes a description and analysis of interest groups, political parties, public opinion, the presidency, the Congress, the court system and foreign policy making.

SDV-108 - The College Experience

Lecture: 1

Credit: 1

This course is designed to empower new students to successfully transition to college. Students will learn academic success skills, strategies for personal development and exploration, college culture and expectations, and how to access college resources and services.

ECE-123 - Family, Teacher and Community Interaction

Lecture: 3

Credit: 3

This course will provide an introduction to the family systems and parenting in a changing society. Principles of child development with family relationships applied to group and individual work with parents will be covered. This course will assist providers in developing skills that will help them effectively relate to parents. Topics will include: communication techniques, children's fears, discipline, nutrition, diversity, children's play and discovery as learning opportunities and school/community resources.

EDU-220 - Human Relations for the Classroom Teacher

Lecture: 3

Credit: 3

This course focuses on the changing and multi-faceted diversity seen in today's classrooms and communities in the United States. Students will examine their own understanding of the scope of this diversity and be able to see how this diversity can enrich the classroom experience for teachers and students. This course will also show future teachers how to bridge their personal views and knowledge of diversity into actual teaching strategies in order to have a culturally relevant and responsive classroom where every student can thrive.

ENG-106 - Composition II

Lecture: 3

Credit: 3

A continuation of study of the principles of writing begun in ENG-105. Emphasis is placed on persuasive writing, critical analysis and the MLA research paper. Time will also be spent exploring print and electronic research sources and learning effective research strategies. Required for AA and AS Degrees. Prerequisite: ENG-105, with a minimum grade of C-.

ECE-170 - Child Growth and Development

Lecture: 3

Credit: 3

This course reviews typical and atypical development of children from conception to adolescence in all developmental domains. Students will examine interactions between child, family and society within a variety of community and cultural contexts. The course will explore theories and evidence-based practices associated with understanding and supporting young children.

PSY-111 - Introduction to Psychology

Lecture: 3

Credit: 3

A basic course in the understanding of behavior, designed to give the student a scientific background in the fundamental problems and techniques covered in the field of psychology.

ECE-133 - Child Health, Safety and Nutrition

Lecture: 3

Credit: 3

This course focuses on evidence-based concepts in the fields of health, safety and nutrition and their relationship to the growth and development of the young child ages birth to eight. The course blends current theory with problem solving, practical applications and assessments. The course includes collaboration with families, and assesses the role of culture, language and ability on health, safety and nutrition decisions in early childhood settings.

EDU-235 - Children's Literature

Lecture: 3

Credit: 3

A survey of the history, critical issues and characteristics of children's literature and an examination of both writing and illustration as the basis for evaluating and selecting children's literature for use in the pre-school and elementary classroom.

EDU-240 - Educational Psychology

Lecture: 3

Credit: 3

This course examines the application of psychological principles, theories and methodologies to issues of teaching and learning. Theory and research concerned with human learning, development, behavior and motivation is reviewed with an emphasis on the cognitive, psychological and social factors that relate to and influence learning in educational settings. Prerequisite: ECE-170 or PSY-111.

SPC-112 - Public Speaking

Lecture: 3

Credit: 3

This course examines both the theoretical and practical basis of speech communication, particularly public speaking. Emphasis is on speech preparation, organization, support, delivery and audience analysis.

ZZZ-HUM - Humanities Course

Lecture: 3

Credit: 3

Courses fulfilling the Humanities requirement address human history, languages, literature, philosophy, and the arts. These courses span a wide range of academic disciplines. The Associate of Arts and Associate of Science degrees require Humanities courses from at least two different disciplines. Please see your Student Success Advocate to help choose the best option for you.

EDU-245 - Exceptional Learners

Lecture: 3

Credit: 3

This is a survey course that provides an overview of special education regulations, policies and programs in educational settings. Birth through 12th grade pre-service teachers learn the history of special education law, including IDEA and as it applies to the course with ESSA, characteristics of the categories of disabilities per federal and state regulations, characteristics of talented and gifted programs, and basic components of an IEP. This course is a required component for students seeking Birth through 12th grade teacher state licensure. Twenty hours of observation will be required.

EDU-255 - Technology in the Classroom

Lecture: 3

Credit: 3

Students will learn to integrate instructional technology into the PK-12 classrooms. Students will study a variety of software programs, presentation technology and telecommunication tools. The focus will also be on social, ethical, legal and human issues surrounding the use of technology. This course will be taken in a student's final semester of their program. Pre-requisites:EDU-212, EDU-920. Corequisite:EDU-245

HIS-152 - US History Since 1877

Lecture: 3

Credit: 3

A survey of American social, political, economic and intellectual developments since 1877.

SOC-110 - Introduction to Sociology

Lecture: 3

Credit: 3

An analysis of social organization (or the social order). This course deals with the nature of sociology as a science, the original nature of man, the socialization of the individual, the development of groups and group behavior, the nature of culture and culture patterns, the organization of institutions, the nature of social order, the organization of human stratification and examination of major social processes. Special emphasis is placed upon the American cultural patterns.

ZZZ-LAB - Lab Science Course

Lecture: 2-4

Lab: 1

Credit: 3-5

Courses fulfilling the Lab Science requirement incorporate hands-on experimentation and observation by students in the study of science. Any science course of 100-level or above including laboratory credit from the disciplines of biology, chemistry, physics, physical science, science, or environmental science can fulfill this requirement. Please see your Student Success Advocate to help choose the best option for you.

Amy Drew - Instructor - Early Childhood Education

Email: adrew@scciowa.edu
AA, Southeastern Community College
BA, Iowa Wesleyan University
MS, Walden University

Bailea Grier - Instructor - Early Childhood Education

Email: bgrier@scciowa.edu
AA, Southeastern Community College
BA, University of Northern Iowa
MA, Viterbo University
Advanced Studies Certificate as a Literacy Coach, University of Northern Iowa