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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
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

Any Guaranteed Transfer Pathways Introductory Writing Course (GT-CO1) with a grade of "C" or better.

3
Note *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.
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: Completion of MAT 1220 and MAT 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
required

Examines the criteria for selecting appropriate literature for children. Explores literature through a variety of genres, age levels, values taught through literature, and literary and artistic qualities of various texts. This is a statewide Guaranteed Transfer course in the GT-AH2 category. Course is not repeatable for credit.

3
Note: And one additional GT-AH2 course. 
Row Groupings GT-AH2 (Literature and Humanities) Credits
required

Introduces film terminology and narrative techniques to explore how film conveys meaning and to study the relationships among film form, content, and audience reception. This course emphasizes active viewing, discussion, and critical analysis of films from different cultures and eras. This is a statewide Guaranteed Transfer course in the GT-AH2 category. Course is not repeatable for credit.

3
required

Introduces an interdisciplinary approach to world mythology. The course illustrates and connects common themes in mythology to world religion, philosophy, art, literature, music, and contemporary culture using various interpretive methods. This is a statewide Guaranteed Transfer course in the GT-AH2 category. Course is not repeatable for credit.

3
required

Introduces the interdisciplinary study of ideas that have defined cultures through a survey of the visual, performing, and literary arts, emphasizing connections among diverse cultures, including European and non-European, from the prehistoric to the early medieval era. This is a statewide Guaranteed Transfer course in the GT-AH2 category. Course is not repeatable for credit.

3
required

Introduces the interdisciplinary study of ideas that have defined cultures through a survey of the visual, performing, and literary arts, emphasizing connections among global cultures from the medieval to the early modern era. This is a statewide Guaranteed Transfer course in the GT-AH2 category. Course is not repeatable for credit.

3
required

Introduces the interdisciplinary study of ideas that have defined cultures through a survey of the visual, performing, and literary arts, emphasizing connections among global cultures from the European Enlightenment to the postmodern era. This is a statewide Guaranteed Transfer course in the GT-AH2 category. Course is not repeatable for credit.

3
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 the cultural, historical, and social contexts impacting multiple ethnic American identities through critical reading and analysis. This course focuses on significant works by authors who identify as African American, Native American, Latino/a, Asian American, and other ethnicities. 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 American literary works from 1865 to the present, distinguishing among literary themes, genres, and schools of thought that illustrate historical and social contexts across a multicultural spectrum. 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
required

Examines major works of British literature from the 18th century to the present. Explores the historical, political, and social contexts of the works and the major themes authors used to reflect and critique the social assumptions of their times. Besides fostering an understanding of works essential to western culture, the course examines 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 repeatable for credit.

3
required

Explores works by William Shakespeare, focusing on a careful reading of these works as well as an exploration of pertinent contextual and historical information. This is a statewide Guaranteed Transfer course in the GT-AH2 category. Course is not repeatable for credit.

3
required

Examines the techniques and themes in literature of various genres by and about women by considering what it means for women to be in literature, as characters and also as authors. This is a statewide Guaranteed Transfer course in the GT-AH2 category. Course is not repeatable for credit.

3
required

Examines the criteria for selecting appropriate literature for children. Explores literature through a variety of genres, age levels, values taught through literature, and literary and artistic qualities of various texts. This is a statewide Guaranteed Transfer course in the GT-AH2 category. Course is not repeatable for credit.

3
required

Examines the cultural, historical, and social contexts impacting Latinx identities through critical reading and analysis. This course focuses on significant works, including poetry, drama, and/or fiction, by Latinx authors. This is a statewide Guaranteed Transfer course in the GT-AH2 category. Course is not repeatable for credit.

3
Total Arts & Humanities Credits 6
Row Groupings History Credits
History

Choose one of the following:

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
required

Explores trends within events, peoples, groups, ideas, and institutions since the American Civil War. This course focuses on developing, practicing, and strengthening skills historians use while constructing knowledge and studying a diverse set of narratives through perspectives such as 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
Social & Behavioral Sciences

Choose one of the following: 

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
Note GEO 1006 - Human Geography Credits: 3
Note  And
required

Explores the origins, development, structure, and functions of the American Constitution and national government. This course examines federalism, civil liberties, civil rights, electoral processes, and mechanisms of civic participation and influence. 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 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 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
Total General Education Requirements 35
Row Groupings Additional Required Courses
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.

Row Groupings Arts and Humanities Credits
Note Choose one of the following:
required

Introduces the cultural significance of the visual arts, including media, processes, techniques, traditions, and terminology. This is a statewide Guaranteed Transfer course in the GT-AH1 category. Course is not repeatable for credit.

3
Note DAN 1025 - Dance Appreciation Credits: 3
required

Introduces the study of music focusing on intelligent listening skills, the elements of music and their relationships, the musical characteristics of representative works and composers, common musical forms and genres of various Western, and non-Western historical style periods. This is a statewide Guaranteed Transfer course in the GT-AH1 category. Course is not repeatable for credit.

3
required

Provides an opportunity to discover, analyze, and evaluate all aspects of the theatre experience: scripts, acting, directing, staging, history, criticism, and theory. This is a statewide Guaranteed Transfer course in the GT-AH1 category. Course is not repeatable for credit.

3
Total Arts and Humanities 3
Row Groupings Social & Behavioral Sciences Credits
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 Social & Behavioral Sciences 3
Row Groupings Field of Study Credits
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

Explores racial, ethnic, cultural, and socioeconomic groups to gain an understanding of equity, diversity, and inclusion in communities and education. This course provides opportunities to contextualize multicultural perspectives in society and their impact on the education system. Course is not repeatable for credit.

3
required

Explores integration of technology instruction into teaching practices used in preschool through postsecondary (P-21) educational settings for all curriculum areas of content. This course reviews a variety of technologies with an emphasis on increasing student learning and retention of knowledge. The course also explores combining technology with several instructional methodologies to promote professional teacher dispositions related to technology-rich teaching. Course is not repeatable for credit.

3
Note EDU 2088 - Practicum II, Field Experience Credits 0-12 * *EDU 2088, must be taken for one (1) credit, or choose any other one-credit course. 
Total Field of Study 10
Total Additional Required Credits 16
Row Groupings Electives
Electives

Students should contact their transferring institution to determine the additional 9 credits of electives.  Please see the current Elementary Teacher Education Statewide Articulation Agreement, to determine those courses.

Total Elective Credits 9
Total Credits for A.A. Degree 60