Program Description

The Liberal Arts and Sciences: Childhood Education A.S. 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.S. 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 ​Art, English, History, Math, or Spanish. 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 Note

• Students are encouraged to apply early due to an extraordinary demand.
• Students must enroll in EDU 101 - Foundations of Elementary Education  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 Requirements

63 credits are required for the degree:

• General Education - 32 credits
• Required Degree Courses - 31 credits

General Education Requirements - 32 Credits

• Communication - Written and Oral (3 credits): ENG 101 Writing and Research  OR ENG 101H - Writing and Research - Honors  
   
• Humanities (3 credits): ENG 102 Writing and Literature  
   
• Mathematics (and Quantitative Reasoning) (4 credits):  MATH 181 - Calculus 1  
   
• Natural Sciences (and Scientific Reasoning) (4 credits): BIOL 101 - Principles of Biological Science (and Lab)  
   
• Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Social Justice (3 credits): EDU 103 - Teaching in Today’s Diverse Classroom  
   
• Social Sciences (3 credits): PSYCH 101 - Introduction to Psychology  
   
• World Languages (6 credits): choose TWO courses of the same language from World Languages  general education courses
• The Arts (3 credits): choose from this category of general education courses  
   
• US History and Civic Engagement OR World History and Global Awareness (3 credits): choose from either category, US History/Civic Engagement  or World History/Global Awareness  
   

Where specific courses are not listed within the categories above, courses must be selected from the list of all general education courses . 

Required Degree Courses - 31 credits
 

• EDU 101 - Foundations of Elementary Education  
• EDU 200 - Special Education: Contemporary Perspectives  
• EDU 202 - Elementary Education Practicum and Field Study  
• MATH 123 - Math for Elementary School Teachers  
• MATH 191 - Calculus 2  
• MATH 215 - Linear Algebra  
• MATH 230 - Calculus 3  
• MATH 240 - Differential Equations  
• PSYCH 109 - Child Development  

Program Map

The program map is a recommended semester-by-semester schedule of courses based on degree requirements and serve as a general guideline to help students complete their program in two years. Although designed for full-time enrollment, these are easily adaptable for part-time study. For additional, individualized guidance, students should review Degree Works and consult an Academic Counselor or Faculty Advisor to ensure they are on track to complete their program.

Semester 1

Semester 2

Semester 3

Semester 4

Minimum Total Credits: 63

Transfer Opportunities

Westchester Community College is committed to facilitating a smooth transfer process to ensure that graduates of the college are prepared to transfer with junior status, and are able to complete a bachelor’s degree within two years of full-time study upon transfer. View 4-year institutions’ transfer agreement information by program here.

Career Opportunities

Visit Career Coach to explore career paths, job descriptions, salary trends, and job trends.

Visit the Career Services page for more career resources.