Mar 28, 2024  
2015-2016 Catalog 
    
2015-2016 Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Education: 5-12, Associate of Arts


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Requirements for education majors at four-year colleges, especially New Jersey state universities, are very prescribed due in large part to New Jersey State Certification requirements. This degree was developed to assist students, who intend to enter the field of education, in meeting the requirements of the first two years of a baccalaureate degree in either middle school (5-8) or secondary (9-12) education.

It is strongly recommended that students in the Associate of Arts in Education: 5-12 degree program, middle school (5-8) or secondary school (9-12) meet with a counselor every semester to ensure appropriate course selection and facilitate transfer based on the requirements of the college or university to which they intend to transfer.

Under current New Jersey teacher certification regulations, students must maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.75. Note that requirements for certification vary by state and students are advised to research the teacher certification requirements for the state in which they plan to teach. Additionally, some teacher education programs require a GPA higher than 2.75 as an entrance requirement for their programs.

Note: New Jersey Administrative Code allows only 6 hours of Education course credit earned at a community college toward a bachelor’s degree in teacher education. Additionally, in New Jersey a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.75 is required for acceptance into a baccalaureate teacher certification program. Course requirements vary by transfer college; it is strongly recommended that students seek advisement each semester from Advising and Counseling Services.

For information about New Jersey teacher certification requirements, visit the Department of Education at www.state.nj.us/education/.

Graduates are able to:

  • demonstrate knowledge in a broad general education background as well as a concentration in a specific content area as part of their overall teacher education program
  • identify and discuss the historical and philosophical foundations of early childhood education
  • observe in classroom settings and demonstrate self-reflection with regard to early childhood education theory
  • think critically and communicate effectively, orally and in writing
  • demonstrate an understanding of and appreciation for the diverse learning needs and preferences of young children

NOTE: Students are encouraged to meet regularly with an Education faculty member or a transfer advisor/counselor to discuss options in their program.

Students intending to major in Art Education, Music Education, or Physical Education upon transfer are strongly encouraged to contact their school of intended transfer for advice as to whether to enroll as an Education major or as an Art, Music or Exercise Science major at RVCC.

Raritan Valley Community College Associate of Arts (AA) and Associate of Science (AS) degree programs are designed to comply with the New Jersey Community Colleges General Education Foundation which supports transfer of courses to NJ Public four-year colleges and universities.  Students who intend to transfer to a NJ college or university can further improve the transfer of courses by using the Recommended Transfer Program (RTP) feature in NJTransfer.org. 

NOTE: Students considering transfer to Rutgers University should choose a Global & Cultural Awareness (GCA) General Education course not replicated elsewhere in their curriculum.  Students who have already fulfilled the GCA requirement for their Associates of Arts (AA) degree should select an additional Social Sciences or Humanities General Education course.   

 

 

 

 


 

Curriculum – A.A. Degree


Second Semester


Third Semester


Fourth Semester


Total Credits 65


1 Mathematics by official placement test. Students may choose a higher level of math in discussion with an advisor/counselor or Education faculty.
2 Select a course from the appropriate category of the General Education  list.
Choose from the following History course sequences: HIST 101 World Civilization I  & HIST 102 World Civilization II  OR HIST 201 US History: Beginnings to 1877  & HIST 202 US History: 1877 to Present .
4 A two semester sequence is required. Placement by examination is required for students who wish to continue studying a language previously studied. Students may not take courses below their placement level. For more information, see Foreign Language Placement Testing and Degree Requirements .
5 It is strongly recommended that students take a Visual & Performing Arts Elective.

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