Education – Specialization in Teacher Preparation
Associate in Arts and Sciences Degree
Program Coordinator: Emily Blesi, NEB-902, Ext. 2481
Purpose: The VCCS Teacher Education Teacher Preparation Education degree is designed to provide the courses in general education for the student who plans to complete a baccalaureate degree in pursuit of teacher licensure at a four-year institution in one of the following endorsement areas:
Early Childhood PK-3
Elementary PK-6
Middle Education 6-8
Special Education Licensure
Secondary education
Students who enter this program should be aware of the requirements for professional employment in the education field including academic and licensing requirements. Consultation with the Division Counselor or faculty advisor is highly recommended.
Admission Requirements: In addition to the admission requirements established for the college, entry into the Associate of Arts and Sciences Degree Program with a major in Education requires the satisfactory completion of the following high school units or equivalent as a minimum: 4 units of English, 3 units of college preparatory mathematics, 1 unit of laboratory science, and 1 unit of social science.
Students are urged to check the mathematics requirements of the four-year college or university to which they plan to transfer to determine the proper mathematics courses to be taken in high school and community college. Students who do not meet these requirements may be permitted to correct their deficiencies in developmental studies. Those students who meet the specific requirements for this degree program but are deficient in basic skills and understandings in English and/or mathematics will be required to enroll in appropriate developmental courses.
Program Requirements: The world of modern education demands that students be knowledgeable both in their teaching field and in general education. Thus, this curriculum requires courses in the humanities, natural sciences, mathematics, social sciences, health, and physical education. The Education curriculum is designed to lead the student toward meeting state teacher licensure requirements and teaching endorsements. This curriculum also provides a solid general core education as students prepare for pre-professional degrees.
Students are urged to acquaint themselves with the requirements of the major department in the college or university to which transfer is contemplated; and, further, to consult with their counselors and advisors at Virginia Highlands Community College in planning their program and selecting electives. In order to prepare for upper division (junior class) standing at a four-year college or university, the student must complete a program at the community college which is comparable in length and courses to the first two years of the program at the four-year college or university. Upon satisfactory completion of the four-semester program listed, the graduate will be awarded the Associate in Arts and Sciences Degree with a major in Education - Specialization in Teacher Preparation.
Education – Specialization in Teacher Preparation
| First Semester (Fall) | ||||
| Course | Lec. | Lab. | ||
| Number | Course Title | Hrs. | Hrs. | Crs. |
| ENG 111 | College Composition I | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| SDV 101 | Orientation to Education | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| MTH | 1Mathematics 151, 163 | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| HIS 121 | United States History I | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| IST | Fundamental IST Skills | |||
| ITE 100 or 115 | 3 | 0 | 3 | |
| HLT | 2Health/Wellness | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Total | 15 | 0 | 15 | |
| Second Semester (Spring) | ||||
| ENG 112 | College Composition II | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| MTH | 1Mathematics 152, 240 | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| HIS 122 | United States History II | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| PLS 135 | American National Politics | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| EEE | 3Humanities Elective | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| Total | 15 | 0 | 15 | |
| Third Semester (Fall) | ||||
| SPD 110 | Intro. to Speech | |||
| Communications | 3 | 0 | 3 | |
| HIS | History of Western | |||
| Civilization 101 or 102 | 3 | 0 | 3 | |
| EDU 200 | Intro. to Teaching | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| ECO | Principles of Economics | |||
| 201 or 202 | 3 | 0 | 3 | |
| BIO 101 | Biology I | 3 | 3 | 4 |
| Total | 16 | 3 | 18 | |
| Fourth Semester (Spring) | ||||
| GEO 210 | People and the Land: Intro | |||
| to Cultural Geography | 3 | 0 | 3 | |
| BIO 102 | Biology II | 3 | 3 | 4 |
| EEE | 3Humanities Elective | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| EEE | 4Free Elective | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| ENG | Literature 241, 242, | |||
| 243, 244, 251, 252 | 3 | 0 | 3 | |
| Total | 16 | 3 | 18 | |
| Total Minimum Credits for AA&S Degree............................62 | ||||
Students are urged to acquaint themselves with the requirements of the teacher preparation program in the college or university to which transfer is contemplated; and further, to consult with their division counselor (ISC 208) to prepare for Praxis I licensure exams after completing mathematics and English requirements. Community college graduates are encouraged to take Praxis prior to graduation.
1. Students are urged to check the mathematics requirements of the four-year college or university to which they plan to transfer to determine the proper mathematics courses to be taken at the community college. Consult with the division counselor upon completion of mathematics requirements for preparation for Praxis I.
2. Health 110 or HLT 106 are strongly recommended.
3. Humanities electives for teacher preparation programs are restricted to ART 201, 202 or MUS 121, 122.
4. Teachers in early education are encouraged to take additional science course such as CHM 111, PHY 121, 201, 241, or GOL 105. Other elective choices recommended are literature courses not already taken to satisfy requirements in the major such as ENG 241, 242, 243, 244, 251 & 252.