Text Only | Skip Navigation | Apply Online | My JCC | Site Map | Home | Search

Jefferson Community College
State University of New York

Liberal Arts -
Childhood Education, A.A.
(Teacher Education Transfer)
HEGIS Code 5649

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

The purpose of this A.A. program is to prepare students to transfer into baccalaureate-level study in childhood education, grades 1-6. Accordingly, this curriculum provides a foundation that will advance future educators' mastery of content in key disciplines while preparing them for later specialization. The curriculum meets the requirements of the SUNY Teacher Education Transfer Templates and provides the lower division coursework to fulfill the SUNY General Education and New York State Education Department certification requirements.

Employment Outlook: According to the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor and Statistics, the overall employment for teachers at any level will grow about as fast as the average for all occupations over the next 10 years, with more opportunities in states that are growing in population (such as Western states like New Mexico), in cities as opposed to rural areas, and in the content areas of mathematics and science.

THE PROGRAM

This curriculum is balanced between mathematics, laboratory sciences, humanities, and social science courses. Students are required to complete mathematics coursework directly tied to this curriculum, as well as a laboratory science in biology, chemistry, physics, general science, or earth science. Stressing the importance of communication skills, six hours of composition and public speaking are required. At least two semesters of a foreign language are also required and students will choose at least one music or art course. Courses in social sciences include introductory courses in American history1, world history/geography or western civilization, and choices in psychology, sociology, political science, and economics that support future academic and career interests.

A Principles of Education class will introduce students to the diverse field and its conceptual base. Students may also have the option to complete a field experience that will offer an opportunity to observe and interact with classroom teachers and students. Two credit hours in physical education are included to round out a liberal arts program and facilitate transfer to upper division colleges and universities.

With a total of 62-66 credit hours, including 5 to 6 hours of electives, this curriculum ensures mastery of key content areas in the arts and sciences while facilitating transfer to baccalaureate childhood education programs. The structure of the program would:

  • satisfy all of the SUNY GEN ED Learning Outcomes.
  • meet the lower division course work to satisfy NYSED certification requirements.

Continuing good academic advising and close partnerships with transfer institutions will help students identify which electives will advance their specific future interests. Restricted choices guarantee that no important area of general education will be overlooked.

1History is classified as a social science rather than a humanities discipline at Jefferson.

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

All degree requirements and courses listed are effective Fall of 2008 and are subject to change.

  Credit Hours
General Education/Liberal Arts Core (40 Credit Hours):
ENG 101: Research and Composition 3
ENG 102: Literature and Composition 3
HIS 111: History of Western Civilization 1 or
  HIS 112: History of Western Civilization 2
3
HIS 150: American History to 1865 or
  HIS 151: American History 1865 to Present
3
MTH 148: Math for Elementary Education 1 3
MTH 149: Math for Elementary Education 2 3
PSY 133: Introduction to Psychology 3
STA 151: Public Speaking 3
ART or MUS elective
  selected from approved GEN ED list for the arts
3
ASL, FRE, GER, or SPA electives
  selected from courses numbered 121 or higher
6
Lab Science elective
  selected from approved GEN ED list for natural sciences*
  *Science Concentrators - please see below for lab science course selection
4
Social Science elective chosen from:
  ANT 141, ANT 143, GEG 101, HIS 120, HIS 222**, or POL 126
3
 
** HIS 222 has been renumbered to HIS 122.
 
Pedagogical Core (6 Credit Hours):
EDU 210: Principles of Education 3
PSY 220: Child/Adolescent Development 3
  ***EDU 211: Practicum in Education (recommended but not required)  
 
Major/Concentration (15-18 Credit Hours):
Note: This program requires a student to take a minimum of 15 credit hours in the major/field of concentration. Some of these credit hours may have been met by taking coursework in the General Education/Liberal Arts Core listed above. Students are required to identify their Major/Concentration area upon entering this program.
  • English Concentration: ENG 101 and ENG 102 (above); then, choose 3 courses from: ENG 203, ENG 204, ENG 214, ENG 245.
  • History Concentration: HIS 150 or HIS 151 and HIS 111 or HIS 112 (above); then choose 3 courses from HIS 150 or HIS 151; HIS 111 or HIS 112: HIS 222; HIS 232.
  • Earth Science Concentration: Choose from GEO 131, GEO 132, GEO 141, CHE 131, CHE 132 to use as lab science elective (above); then choose an additional 3 courses from this concentration list.
  • Math Concentration: MTH 148 and MTH 149 (above); the following 3 courses: MTH 221, MTH 222, MTH 241.
  • Biology Concentration: Choose from BIO 131, BIO 132, BIO 202, CHE 131, CHE 132 to use as lab science elective (above); then choose an additional 3 courses from this concentration list.
  • Chemistry Concentration: Choose from CHE 131, CHE 132, CHE 211, CHE 212 to use as a lab science elective (above); then choose an additional 3 courses from the following: CHE 131, CHE 132, CHE 211, CHE 212, MTH 221, MTH 222.
  • Physics Concentration: Choose PHY 131 as the lab science elective (above); then choose an additional 3 courses from the following: PHY 132, MTH 221, MTH 222, MTH 241.
  • General Science Concentration: Choose from BIO 131, BIO 132, GEO 131, GEO 132, GEO 141, CHE 131, CHE 132, PHY 131, PHY 132 to use as a lab science (above); then choose an additional 3 courses from this concentration list
 
Free Electives 5-6
 
Physical Education 2
TOTAL 62-66

The curricula offered by the College require certain Liberal Arts core courses in the area of Humanities, Social Sciences, and Science or Mathematics. The following indicates areas of study acceptable in meeting these requirements.

Humanities: American Sign Language, Art, English, Journalism, Modern Languages, Music, Philosophy, Speech, and Theater Arts.
Social Sciences: Anthropology, Economics, Geography, History, Political Science, Psychology, and Sociology
Science and Mathematics: Biology, Chemistry, Geology, Physics, Science, and Mathematics

FOR MORE INFORMATION

For further information regarding this program, please contact any of the following faculty: 

Joshua A. Dickinson , Assistant Professor of English
(315) 786-2221    jdickinson@sunyjefferson.edu

Marvin Blachman, Dean, Liberal Arts Division
(315) 786-6542     mblachman@sunyjefferson.edu

For application and admissions information please contact: 
admissions@sunyjefferson.edu
Admissions Office (315) 786-2277 
  (or Toll Free 1-888-435-6522. Ask for Admissions.)
Jefferson Community College 
1220 Coffeen St. 
Watertown, NY  13601 
www.sunyjefferson.edu


1 2 2 0 C O F F E E N S T R E E T, W A T E R T O W N, N E W Y O R K 1 3 6 0 1 • 1 - 8 8 8 - 4 3 5 - 6 5 2 2
Contact webmaster@sunyjefferson.edu if this server presents any problems.
Copyright©, Jefferson Community College, 2007
Comments/Feedback
Last Update: Tuesday, 24-Jun-2008 14:28:34 EDT