Academic Catalogs

Elementary Teacher Education, Associate in Arts Degree for Transfer

Banner Code: 2_AAT_ETED

Control Number: 32277

Financial Aid Eligible


The Elementary Education Associate of Arts for Transfer is designed for students seeking to enter the teaching profession, typically in K-8 settings, and planning to transfer to a four-year university to pursue the Baccalaureate degree in order to meet California state requirements for teaching. With careful planning, the student desiring to transfer will be able to complete the Associate in Arts Degree while concurrently satisfying the lower division transfer preparation for the Baccalaureate degree and the requirements for the state-approved Multiple Subjects Credential Program.
Associate Degrees for Transfer require students to meet the following requirements:
  • Completion of 60 semester units or 90 quarter units of degree-applicable courses,
  • Minimum overall grade point average of 2.0, 
  • Minimum grade of “C” (or “P”) for each course in the major, and
  • Completion of IGETC and/or CSU GE-Breadth.

Program Level Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, students will be able to:

  1. Explain the historical context of elementary education, including its relationship to contemporary society and culture.
  2. Identify the qualities of a teacher as outlined in the California Standards for the Teaching Profession.
  3. Develop preparation in meeting subject matter competency in preparation for the CSET Multiple Subjects Exam.
  4. Develop a comprehensive professional portfolio for the teaching profession.
  5. Obtain early classroom experiences via observational and practical experiences in the classroom.

Associate Degree for Transfer Graduation Requirements

Associate Degrees for Transfer require students to meet the following requirements:

  • Completion of 60 semester units or 90 quarter units of degree-applicable courses,
  • Minimum overall grade point average of 2.0,
  • Minimum grade of “C” (or “P”) for each course in the major, and
  • Completion of IGETC and/or CSU GE-Breadth.

Students should consult a GWC counselor in order to select the best pathway to meet their educational goals. For students who intend to transfer, the choice of general education will be specific to both their major and transfer institution.

Course Title Units
Required Courses - Core
EDUC G200The Teaching Profession3
ENGL G100Freshman Composition4
or ENGL G100S Freshman Composition with Support
CMST G110Public Speaking3
GEOL G110Physical Geology4
or GEOL G106 Earth Science For Teachers
PHSC G100Introductory Physical Science4
BIOL G100Introduction to Biology4
MATH G104Mathematics For Elementary Teachers3
HIST G161World History 13
HIST G170History Of The United States To 18763
ENGL G112Appreciation Of Literature3
GEOG G100World Regional Geography3
PSCI G180American Government3
or PSCI G181 American Government: The Politics of Race and Ethnicity
or ETHS G181 American Government: The Politics of Race and Ethnicity
PSYC G116Child Growth and Development3
List A
ENGL G110Critical Thinking, Reading And Writing Through Literature4
PHIL G125Critical Reasoning and Writing3
PSYC G130Critical Thinking in Psychology3
List B
Select one of the following:3
ART G100Introduction to Art3
MUS G101History & Appreciation Of Music3
THEA G100Introduction to the Theater3
DANC G101Viewing Dance3
List C
Select up to 10 additional units to meet the 60 unit AA degree requirement: 10-12
EDUC G102Teaching in a Diverse Society3
EDUC G103Technology Proficiencies For Teachers I2
EDUC G180Family, School, and Community Partnerships3
EDUC G210Introduction to Special Education3
ENGL G143Children's Literature3
ENGL G150American Literature through the Civil War (1865)3
ENGL G155American Literature 1865 To The Present3
ENGL G270British Literature to 18003
ENGL G275British Literature Since 18003
HIST G162World History 23
PHIL G100Introduction to Philosophy3
PHIL G102History of Ancient Philosophy3
PHIL G120Ethics3
THEA G106Acting 13
MATH G103Statistics For Elementary Teachers3-6
or MATH G160 Introduction To Statistics
or MATH G160S Introduction to Statistics with Support
or SOC G125 Introduction to Statistics in Sociology
or PSYC G140 Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences
or ECON G160 Statistics for Business and Economics
MUS G139History Of Rock Music3
PSYC G118Life Span Developmental Psychology3
Major Total49-52
GE Pattern (CSU GE-Breadth or IGETC)37-39
Total units that may be double-counted31-33
Transferable Electives (as needed to reach 60 units)4
Total Units60
1

Additional requirements for the Elementary Teacher Education major vary at each transfer institution. It is highly recommended that students discuss other possible courses that are part of the major preparation with their counselor prior to transfer. See some suggestions below.

Recommended Program Sequence

These sequences are general course maps for students to finish all major and general education requirements for two-year completion of degrees, completion of short-term certificates, and/or fulfillment of transfer requirements. However, this may not be an appropriate path for all students.  The two-year sequence is based on English and Math placement and meeting other course prerequisites. Students are advised to meet with a GWC Counselor to review course selections and sequences to ensure that completion of this program will meet a student's transfer and career goals.

Year 1:

Course Title Units
Semester 1
CMST G110Public Speaking3
ENGL G100Freshman Composition ^4
HIST G170History Of The United States To 18763
GEOG G100World Regional Geography3
Select one of the following:3
ART G100Introduction to Art3
DANC G101Viewing Dance3
MUS G101History & Appreciation Of Music3
THEA G100Introduction to the Theater3
Units16
Course Title Units
Semester 2
ENGL G110Critical Thinking, Reading And Writing Through Literature4
BIOL G100Introduction to Biology4
PSYC G116Child Growth and Development3
MATH G104Mathematics For Elementary Teachers3
Units14

Year 2:

Course Title Units
Semester 3
EDUC G102Teaching in a Diverse Society3
EDUC G103Technology Proficiencies For Teachers I2
ENGL G112Appreciation Of Literature3
HIST G161World History 13
GEOL G106Earth Science For Teachers4
or GEOL G110 Physical Geology
Select one of the following:3
ENGL G143Children's Literature3
ENGL G150American Literature through the Civil War (1865)3
ENGL G270British Literature to 18003
Units16
Course Title Units
Semester 4
EDUC G200The Teaching Profession3
PHSC G100Introductory Physical Science4
PSCI G180American Government3
Select one of the following:3
PHIL G100Introduction to Philosophy3
PHIL G102History of Ancient Philosophy3
PHIL G120Ethics3
Select one of the following:3
ENGL G143Children's Literature3
ENGL G155American Literature 1865 To The Present3
ENGL G275British Literature Since 18003
Units16
Total minimum units required60
^

Program sequence may not be recommended for students who self-place into ENGL G100S. Students should see a Counselor for appropriate advisement.

Additional requirements for the Elementary Teacher Education major vary at each transfer institution. It is highly recommended that students discuss other possible courses that are part of the major preparation with their counselor prior to transfer.