Liberal Arts & Sciences: Childhood Education (Teacher Education Transfer) (A.A.)

If your goal is to become a certified teacher in Grades 1-6, you will be interested in the Liberal Arts & Sciences: Childhood Education (Teacher Education Transfer) Associate in Arts degree program. This program prepares students for transfer to a four-year SUNY institution to pursue initial NYS certification in Childhood Education (Grades 1- 6). With careful advisement, students may complete SUNY General Education requirements and 12 credits of a major concentration required by four-year teaching degree institutions. Students should consult a Teacher Education advisor to select a major concentration that will transfer to the four-year institution of the student’s choice. This program also provides thirty clock hours of guided field observation, and six credit hours of Professional Preparation courses. Please call a Teacher Education advisor in the Human Services and Teacher Education department for more information.

Please Note: Students can graduate from the Liberal Arts & Sciences: Childhood Education (Teacher Education Transfer) program with a 2.0 GPA. However, a higher GPA may be required for transfer to a SUNY four-year teacher preparation program. Students should meet with SUNY four-year advisors to determine the admission requirement for the desired program.

Mission Statement

The mission of the Liberal Arts & Sciences: Childhood Education (Teacher Education Transfer) degree is to introduce students to the teaching profession through theory and professional/pedagogical core courses.

Program Learning Outcomes

1. Demonstrate a knowledge base of theory specific to childhood (1st-6th grade) education.
2. Identify philosophy of teaching.
3. Apply the knowledge base of theory to practice through thoughtful reflections on classroom observations.
4. Demonstrate cultural and diversity awareness, and sensitivity to social justice.
5. Demonstrate awareness of the NEA/NAEYC Code of Ethics in professional behavior and decision-making.

Essential Skills and Dispositions

The following skills and dispositions, with or without reasonable accommodations, are expected of students enrolled in the Liberal Arts & Sciences: Childhood Education A.A. program (EDC).

1. Emotional stability and psychological health to work with children, families, colleagues and college personnel.
2. Interpersonal skills sufficient to establish a professional relationship with individuals, children and families from a variety of cultural, social, emotional, and intellectual backgrounds.
3. Effective written and oral communication skills.
4. Critical thinking for assessment and decision making in classrooms.
5. Character dispositions such as honesty, integrity, caring and empathy.