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Early Childhood Education student working with young children

Elementary EducationRequirements

Elementary and Secondary Education Degree Requirements

Explore the classes that will give you a strong educational foundation to prepare you for the rigors of a bachelor’s degree program. Study subjects including:

  • Language arts
  • Math
  • History
  • Science
  • Art 
  • Music
  • Social studies
  • Public speaking
  • Child development
  • Introduction to education principals

One semester practicum gives you direct observation and practice experience in a classroom in the community.  

Row Groupings General Education Requirements
Row Groupings (Written) Communication: Credits
required

Emphasizes the planning, writing, and revising of compositions, including the development of critical and logical thinking skills. This course includes a wide variety of compositions that stress analytical, evaluative, and persuasive/argumentative writing. This is a statewide Guaranteed Transfer course in the GT-CO1 category. Course is not repeatable for credit.

3
(Grade of B or better for ENG 1021 may be required by some 4-year programs.) Some educator preparation programs require a B in ENG 1021 as an admission requirement.  However, a C or better meets the general education GT-CO1 requirement.
required

Expands and refines the objectives of English Composition I. Emphasizes critical/logical thinking and reading, problem definition, research strategies, and writing analytical, evaluative, and/or argumentative compositions. This is a statewide Guaranteed Transfer course in the GT-CO2 category. Course is not repeatable for credit.

Course Prerequisites

ENG 1021 with a grade of "C" or better

3
Total (Written) Communication Credits 6
Row Groupings Mathematics: Credits
required

Engages students in the concepts underlying elementary level mathematics. The course emphasizes critical thinking and applications. Topics include the structure of number systems, an analysis of numerical operations, set properties, numerical and geometric patterns, and a variety of problem solving skills. This is a statewide Guaranteed Transfer course in the GT-MA1 category. Course readiness is determined by review of high school transcripts, assessment, and/or meeting with an Aims Academic Advisor. Course is not repeatable for credit.   

3
required

Engages students in the concepts underlying elementary level mathematics. The course emphasizes critical thinking and applications. Topics include probability, statistics, measurement, Euclidean geometry, and algebraic methods. This is a statewide Guaranteed Transfer course in the GT-MA1 category. Course readiness is determined by review of high school transcripts, assessment, and/or meeting with an Aims Academic Advisor. Course is not repeatable for credit.

3
Note: Note: Completion of MAT 1220 & 1230 with a C or higher will satisfy the GT Pathways math requirement at some institutions but not all. At the receiving institution's discretion, students may be asked to complete a GT-MA1 approved course.  MAT 1220 and MAT 1230 became approved GT Pathways courses, effective Summer 2020. If a student chooses to change their degree program, these courses may or may not be applied to the elective category of the chosen degree.  See Approved Degree Electives.In order to receive General Education credit for Integrated Math courses as part of the Elementary Education Articulation Agreement, students must complete both MAT 1220 and MAT 1230. Successful completion of both MAT 1220 and MAT 1230 will satisfy all General Education requirements in the Mathematics category for the A.A. degree under the Elementary Education Articulation Agreement. 
Total Mathematics Credits 6
Row Groupings Arts & Humanities: Credits
Arts & Humanities:

One GT Pathways Arts & Humanities course

required

Introduces fiction, poetry, and drama. This course emphasizes active and responsive reading. This is a statewide Guaranteed Transfer course in the GT-AH2 category. Course is not repeatable for credit.

3
required

Examines significant writings in world literature from the ancients to the seventeenth century. It emphasizes active reading and understanding of the works and their cultural backgrounds. This is a statewide Guaranteed Transfer course in the GT-AH2 category. Course is not repeatable for credit.

3
required

Examines significant writings in world literature from the seventeenth century to the present. It emphasizes active reading and understanding of the works and their cultural backgrounds.This is a statewide Guaranteed Transfer course in the GT-AH2 category. Course is not repeatable for credit.

3
required

Examines American literary works from pre-European arrival on the continent up to the Civil War, including works from diverse people that contributed to American literature. This course also explores historical and social contexts within various genres. This is a statewide Guaranteed Transfer course in the GT-AH2 category. Course is not repeatable for credit.

3
required

Examines major works of British literature from the Anglo-Saxon period through the 17th century. Explores the historical, political, and social contexts of the works as well as the major themes which reflect and/or critique the social assumptions and values of the times. Besides fostering an understanding of works essential to western culture, the course will examine how these works are still influential and relevant to contemporary thought and culture. This is a statewide Guaranteed Transfer course in the GT-AH2 category. Course is not repetable for credit.

3
Total Arts & Humanities Credits 3
Row Groupings History: Credits
required

Explores trends within events, peoples--including Native American--groups, ideas, and institutions in North America and the United States to Reconstruction. This class focuses on developing, practicing, and strengthening skills historians use while constructing knowledge and studying a diverse set of narratives through perspectives such gender, class, religion, and ethnicity. This is a statewide Guaranteed Transfer course in the GT-HI1 category. Course is not repeatable for credit.

3
Total History Credits 3
Row Groupings Social & Behavioral Sciences: Credits
required

Examines the spatial distribution of environmental and societal phenomena in the world's regions. Environmental phenomena includes topography, climate, and natural resources. Societal phenomena include patterns of population and settlement, religion, ethnicity, language, and economic development. This course also analyzes the characteristics that define world regions and distinguishes them from each other. This course examines the relationships between physical environments and human societies, and examines globalization, emphasizing the geopolitical and economic relationships between more developed and less developed regions. This is a statewide Guaranteed Transfer course in the GT-SS2 category. Course is not repeatable for credit.

3
required

Includes the background of the U.S. Constitution, the philosophy of American government, general principles of the Constitution, federalism, and civil liberties. Examines public opinion and citizen participation, political parties, interest groups, electoral process, and the structure and functions of the national government. This is a statewide Guaranteed Transfer course in the GT-SS1 category. Course is not repeatable for credit.

3
Total Social & Behavioral Sciences Credits 6
Row Groupings Natural & Physical Sciences: Credits
required

Examines the nature of energy and matter, their interactions and changes, and the application of fundamental concepts to the study of our natural world. These concepts will be explored in hands-on laboratory experiments. This course integrates the fundamental concepts and ideas about the nature of physics and chemistry with the natural world. This is a statewide Guaranteed Transfer course in the GT-SC1 category. It is recommended that ENG 1021 and MAT 1340 be completed prior to or be taken concurrently with this course. Course is not repeatable for credit.

4
required

Examines earth and biological systems, living and non-living environments, through the application of fundamental energy and matter concepts. These systems and concepts will be explored in hands-on laboratory experiments. This is a statewide Guaranteed Transfer course in the GT-SC1 category. It is recommended that ENG 1021 and MAT 1340 be completed prior to or be taken concurrently with this course. Course is not repeatable for credit.

4
Note: Note:  Students must pass with a C or higher in BOTH SCI 1055 & 1056 to satisfy the GT Pathways science requirement.
Total Natural & Physical Sciences Credits 8
Row Groupings Additional Required Courses: Credits
Additional Required Courses:

Please note: if these additional courses are not required for the major at a receiving 4-year institution, they will be applied to the bachelor's degree as elective credit towards graduation. Please check with the receiving institution to determine in which way these courses will be applied.

required

Combines the basic theories of communication with public speech performance skills. Emphasis is on speech preparation, organization, support, audience analysis, and delivery. Course is not repeatable for credit.

3
required

Focuses on the historical, social, political, philosophical, cultural, and economic forces that shape the United States public school system. This course includes current issues of education reform, technology as it relates to education, and considerations related to becoming a teacher in the state of Colorado. The course addresses diversity in the preschool through secondary school system. Course is not repeatable for credit.

3
required

Focuses on the growth and development of the individual, from conception through childhood, emphasizing physical, cognitive, emotional, and psychosocial factors. This is a statewide Guaranteed Transfer course in the GT-SS3 category. Course is not repeatable for credit.

3
Total Additional Required Credits 9
Row Groupings Electives:
Electives:

Students should contact their transferring institution to determine the additional 19 credits of electives.  Please see the current Early Childhood Education Statewide Articulation Agreement, to determine those courses.

Total Elective Credits 19
Total Credits for A.A. Degree 60