Education: K-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 elementary or secondary education.

It is strongly recommended that students in the Associate of Arts in Education: K-12 degree program (elementary (K-5), middle school (6-8) 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

Curriculum – A.A. Degree

First Semester

ENGL 111 - English I 3 Credits
PSYC 103 - Introduction to Psychology 3 Credits
Mathematics 3 Credits ⁵
CISY 102 - Computer Literacy 3 Credits
Philosophy 3 Credits ^5,7

Second Semester

ENGL 112 - English II 3 Credits
Mathematics 3 Credits ⁵
COMM 101 - Speech 3 Credits
History 3 Credits ^5,7
PSYC 213 - Educational Psychology 3 Credits
FITN 115 - Dynamics of Fitness & Wellness 1 Credit ⁶

Third Semester

BIOL 111 - Principles of Biology 4 Credits
EDUC 212 - Foundations of Education 3 Credits
History 3 Credits ^5,7
Humanities 3 Credits ²
Social Science 3 Credits ³

Fourth Semester

Science 3-4 Credits ⁵
Literature Survey Elective 3 Credits ^4,7

PSYC 216 - Child Psychology 3 Credits or
PSYC 229 - Adolescent Psychology 3 Credits
EDUC 230 - Education Field Experience 3 Credits
Free Elective 2-3 Credits ⁷

Total Credits 61 - 63

¹ Exception made for students who intend to become science teachers. See counselor or advisor.

² Choose from: Art Appreciation (ARTH 101 ), Art from Prehistory to the Gothic Period (ARTH 110 ), Art from the Renaissance to the Modern Era (ARTH 111 ), or Introduction to Music (MUSC 102 ).

³ Choose from: Anthropology, Geography or Sociology.

⁴ Choose from: Masterpieces in Early World Literature (ENGL 211 ) (meets GCA), World Literature Since the Renaissance (ENGL 212 ) (meets GCA), American Literature: Colonial through the Civil War (ENGL 221 ), American Literature: Post Civil War to the Present (ENGL 222 ), English Literature: Middle Ages through the 18th Century (ENGL 235 ), English Literature: Romantic Period (ENGL 236 ).

⁵ Select a course from the appropriate category of the General Education list.

⁶Elements of Physical Fitness (FITN 142 ) or Exercise Physiology (FITN 146 ).

⁷ One course must meet the Global & Cultural Awareness (GCA) requirement. This requirement can be met by selecting a Philosophy, History, Literature Survey, or Free Elective marked as GCA on the General Education list.

⁸ Students need to have completed any developmental English courses prior to registering for this class. However, they do not need to have completed English I (ENGL 111 ) to take this course.