Liberal Arts and Sciences/Childhood Education (Teacher Education Transfer) A.A. – English

School: Business and Professional Careers
Academic Dept: Education
HEGIS: 5649
Curriculum Chair: Prof. Diana Berman
Telephone: 914-606-6012
Email: diana.berman@sunywcc.edu

Important Note about Program Requirements

The requirements listed below are for students entering into this program in Fall 2017. Students who entered the program during a prior semester will find their specific requirements listed in the Catalog under which they entered. Archived Catalogs are accessible through the dropdown menu above.

Associate of Arts (A.A.) and Associate of Science (A.S.) Degrees Defined

The purpose of the A.A. and A.S. is to build a foundation in a discipline, then continue to higher levels of education by transferring to a four-year institution. The A.A. contains liberal arts credits; including coursework in the arts, humanities and social sciences, and provides flexibility to pursue several careers. Conversely, coursework for the A.S. contains some liberal arts credits and coursework also directly applicable to a clearly defined career path. Click to learn more about the differences among award types.

Program Description

The Liberal Arts and Sciences: Childhood Education A.A. degree prepares students to become thoughtful and effective elementary school teachers in grades 1 through 6. Students will focus on understanding children through their strengths and interests in order to plan meaningful and relevant curriculum. They will consider the importance of collaborating and partnering with children and families to ensure that the classroom is fully engaging and inclusive. With a strong emphasis on the observation of children, students examine practices that best support children’s emotional, social, physical and intellectual needs. Students will develop a personal philosophy of education that will incorporate the work of important theorists and researchers, as well as their own experiences. Seminar style classes ensure that all students in the program have the opportunity to participate thoughtfully in their college experience.

Students in the Liberal Arts and Sciences: Childhood Education A.A. program will receive a solid foundation in the liberal arts, which is the basis for continuing in the field of Education. Students are required to select a concentration in either English or History. The program is based on the prescribed course of study universally recognized across the State University of New York to enable transfer to classroom teaching programs at baccalaureate campuses with New York State teacher certification authority. The curriculum is flexible, with classes offered during the day and evening.

Program Notes

Students must enroll in EDU 101 - Introduction to Schools and Teaching as well as ENG 101 - Writing and Research during their first semester.
Transfer programs at the bachelor’s level in Education often require a minimum cumulative GPA or 3.0 for admission; consult with transfer schools of interest for details.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, a student will:

Demonstrate a set of pedagogical values rooted in seeing children through a strengths-based perspective.
Demonstrate the value of knowing individual children well through descriptive inquiry in order to guide practice and bring forward children’s strengths.
Demonstrate an understanding of the importance of forming partnerships with and advocating for children and families of diverse backgrounds.

Program Requirements

General Education Requirements - 40 Credits

Students are required to fulfill a certain number of credits within the specific categories shown below. Where specific courses are not listed within these categories, courses must be selected from the list of SUNY General Education Courses .