Childhood Education, Birth-Grade 6 AA/BA
SUNY Jefferson
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Childhood Education, Birth-Grade 6 AA/BA

Teacher working with children

Program Highlights

  • Program Type: Transfer, jointly registered to bachelor's degree with SUNY Potsdam
  • Delivery: On-campus (associate and bachelor's degree)
  • Personal Interests: Love of learning, working with children, shaping future generations
  • Skill Building: Teaching, communication, education principles and processes, creativity, problem solving
  • Career Options: Education
  • Program Code: HEGIS 5649

Prepare for a teaching career in a joint degree program with SUNY Potsdam

Jefferson partners with SUNY Potsdam to help students earn an associate’s degree in childhood education (grades birth-grade 6) followed by a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood/Childhood Education (birth-grade 6) in just four years. You’ll study for your first degree at Jefferson before transferring without interruption to SUNY Potsdam.  SUNY Potsdam education courses and classes in some concentration areas can then be taken at Jefferson.  No need to travel to Potsdam.  When you graduate from SUNY Potsdam, you’ll be ready to teach children from early childhood through sixth grade. 

This program offers:

  • Seamless transition from Jefferson to Potsdam
  • Classes on teaching and educational practices at the birth through grade 6 level
  • Fundamental skills for success and lifelong learning
  • Joint advisement from Jefferson and Potsdam staff to ensure your success
  • Cross registration of classes between both colleges to get the classes you need, when you need them
  • Savings on general education and core education classes at Jefferson, plus savings on travel to complete your bachelor's degree
  • No transfer application needed to SUNY Potsdam
  • Early registration for Potsdam classes

Shape future generations - career in education

Teachers have a direct role in shaping future generations by applying proven teaching techniques and strategies in the classroom. Teachers engage students and build with creative solutions to meet today's educational challenges.


The job market for teachers in our area is growing because there is a predicted shortage.

Learn teaching techniques and developmental milestones

When you complete the Early Childhood Education A.A./B.A. you will:

  • Understand and apply the history, conventions, and best practices in the field of early childhood education
  • Demonstrate knowledge of major milestones and principles of physical, cognitive, and socio-emotional development in early childhood education
  • Learn to communicate with adults and children
  • Successfully fulfill requirements for all SUNY General Education knowledge and skills areas

 

 

Contact Enrollment Services for Application and Admissions Information

Jules Center 6-010 (ground level)
admissions@sunyjefferson.edu
(315) 786-2437, fax (315) 786-2349 or toll free (888) 435-6522

8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Monday-Thursday
8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Friday

 

Degree requirements for Childhood Education A.A./B.A.

Screen Reader Caption Text
Humanity Requirements Credit Hours
ENG 101: Research and Composition 3
College Foundations (1 credit hour)
College Foundations (1 credit hour) Credit Hours

INT 111: College Foundations
Substitute one credit of free elective if met by prior college coursework. 

1
General Education/Liberal Arts Core requirements (49 credit hours)
General Education/Liberal Arts Core Requirements (49 credit hours) Credit Hours
ENG 101: Research and Composition 3
ENG 114: Early Childhood Literature or
ENG 214: Survey of Children's Literature
3
Restricted General Education Elective:
HIS 111: History of Western Civilization 1 or
HIS 112: History of Western Civilization 2 or
GEG 101: Introduction to World Geography or
ANT 143: Cultural Anthropology or
PHI 212: Religions of the Far East or
POL 126: World Affairs or
SOC 243: Race, Ethnicity & Cultural Minorities
3
HIS 150: American History to 1877 or
HIS 151: American History 1877 to Present
3
MTH 148: Mathematical Reasoning for Elementary Teachers 1 4
MTH 149: Mathematical Reasoning for Elementary Teachers 2 4
PSY 133: Introduction to Psychology 3
General Education Elective Credit (SUNY Gen Ed List) 3
Liberal Arts Elective Credits (In concentrations where specialization courses are 4 credits, some credits will be allocated to Liberal Arts Electives to keep program requirements at/below 64 credits)3 9
Foreign Language: ASL, FRE, or SPA through the 221 level electives1,5
(or Liberal Arts electives if satisfied by HS language-studio course)
6
Laboratory Science Electives:
BIO 111: Survey of Cell Biology 1 or
BIO 131: Principles of Biology 1: Cell and Molecular Biology2
4
GEO 110: Earth Sciences6 or
GEO 131: Physical Geology or
SCI 199: Interdisciplinary Science and Mathematics4
4
Concentration/Specialization Requirements (6-8 credit hours)
Concentration/Specialization Requirements (6-8 credit hours) Credit Hours

English:

ENG 220: Creative Writing or ENG 221 Writing Literary Nonfiction
ENG 201: British Literature 1, ENG 202 British Literature 2, ENG 203 American Literature 1, ENG 204 American Literature 2, ENG 209 Mythology or ENG 245 Survey of Native American Literature
STA 151: Public Speaking

Mathematics:
MTH 221: Calculus 1
MTH 222: Calculus 2 
MTH 245: Linear Algebra7

Biology:
BIO 132: Principles of Biology 2:  Evolution, Diversity, and Ecology 
BIO 200: Genetics
BIO 201: Ecology

Geology:
GEO 132: Historical Geology
GEO 141: Astronomy7
GEO 144: Meteorology7

Chemistry:
CHE 131: General Chemistry 1
CHE 132: General Chemistry 2
CHE 211: Organic Chemistry 17
CHE 212: Organic Chemistry 27

Physics:
PHY 131: General Physics 1 
PHY 132: General Physics 2
GEO 141: Astronomy7
GEO 144: Meteorology7

History:
HIS 114: History of New York State
POL 121: Introduction to American Government
6-8
Physical Education Requirements
Physical Education Requirements Credit Hours
  2

Total Credit Hours 64

 

Advising Notes
Advising Notes:  
1Students are expected to complete language coursework through the JCC 221 level. Students with prior language background may use the available space in their schedule once the 221 level has been completed to meet specialization requirements. Students with no prior language background may need to use the elective to complete this language requirement.  
2Students specializing in Biology should take the BIO 131/132 sequence.  
3Students specializing in Geology, Biology, or Chemistry would benefit from CHE 131.  
4SCI 199: Interdisciplinary Science and Mathematics is only offered in the spring semester.  
5If the student has met foreign language requirement by completing one year beyond the regents, they may take 6 credits of liberal arts electives. Potsdam recommends an Art studio course, or ENG 100/MTH 125 could also be used here.  
6GEO 110: Earth Sciences is recommended for those planning to teach elementary grade levels.  
7Will impact satisfaction of upper-division credits in the specialization; may require additional upper-division work in the specialization in the junior/senior year.  
Education Core Requirements (6 credit hours)
Education Core Requirements (6 credit hours) Credit Hours
EDU 210: Principles of Education 3
PSY 220: Child and Adolescent Development 3
General Education/Liberal Arts Core requirements (49 credit hours)
General Education/Liberal Arts Core Requirements (49 credit hours) Credit Hours
ENG 101: Research and Composition 3
ENG 114: Early Childhood Literature or
ENG 214: Survey of Children's Literature
3
Restricted General Education Elective:
HIS 111: History of Western Civilization 1 or
HIS 112: History of Western Civilization 2 or
GEG 101: Introduction to World Geography or
ANT 143: Cultural Anthropology or
PHI 212: Religions of the Far East or
POL 126: World Affairs or
SOC 243: Race, Ethnicity & Cultural Minorities
3
HIS 150: American History to 1877 or
HIS 151: American History 1877 to Present
3
MTH 148: Mathematical Reasoning for Elementary Teachers 1 4
MTH 149: Mathematical Reasoning for Elementary Teachers 2 4
PSY 133: Introduction to Psychology 3
General Education Elective Credit (SUNY Gen Ed List) 3
Liberal Arts Elective Credits (In concentrations where specialization courses are 4 credits, some credits will be allocated to Liberal Arts Electives to keep program requirements at/below 64 credits)3 9
Foreign Language: ASL, FRE, or SPA through the 221 level electives1,5
(or Liberal Arts electives if satisfied by HS language-studio course)
6
Laboratory Science Electives:
BIO 111: Survey of Cell Biology 1 or
BIO 131: Principles of Biology 1: Cell and Molecular Biology2
4
GEO 110: Earth Sciences6 or
GEO 131: Physical Geology or
SCI 199: Interdisciplinary Science and Mathematics4
4
Concentration/Specialization Requirements (6-8 credit hours)
Concentration/Specialization Requirements (6-8 credit hours) Credit Hours

English:

ENG 220: Creative Writing or ENG 221 Writing Literary Nonfiction
ENG 201: British Literature 1, ENG 202 British Literature 2, ENG 203 American Literature 1, ENG 204 American Literature 2, ENG 209 Mythology or ENG 245 Survey of Native American Literature
STA 151: Public Speaking

Mathematics:
MTH 221: Calculus 1
MTH 222: Calculus 2 
MTH 245: Linear Algebra7

Biology:
BIO 132: Principles of Biology 2:  Evolution, Diversity, and Ecology 
BIO 200: Genetics
BIO 201: Ecology

Geology:
GEO 132: Historical Geology
GEO 141: Astronomy7
GEO 144: Meteorology7

Chemistry:
CHE 131: General Chemistry 1
CHE 132: General Chemistry 2
CHE 211: Organic Chemistry 17
CHE 212: Organic Chemistry 27

Physics:
PHY 131: General Physics 1 
PHY 132: General Physics 2
GEO 141: Astronomy7
GEO 144: Meteorology7

History:
HIS 114: History of New York State
POL 121: Introduction to American Government
6
Physical Education Requirements
Physical Education Requirements Credit Hours
  2

Total Credit Hours 63-65

 

Advising Notes
Advising Notes:  
1Students are expected to complete language coursework through the JCC 221 level. Students with prior language background may use the available space in their schedule once the 221 level has been completed to meet specialization requirements. Students with no prior language background may need to use the elective to complete this language requirement.  
2Students specializing in Biology should take the BIO 131/132 sequence.  
3Students specializing in Geology, Biology, or Chemistry would benefit from CHE 131.  
4SCI 199: Interdisciplinary Science and Mathematics is only offered in the spring semester.  
5If the student has met foreign language requirement by completing one year beyond the regents, they may take 6 credits of liberal arts electives. Potsdam recommends an Art studio course, or ENG 100/MTH 125 could also be used here.  
6GEO 110: Earth Sciences is recommended for those planning to teach elementary grade levels.  
7Will impact satisfaction of upper-division credits in the specialization; may require additional upper-division work in the specialization in the junior/senior year.  

 

 

Program Contacts

Dr. Leah Deasy

Chair of the School of Education
ldeasy@sunyjefferson.edu
(315) 786-6568

Dr. Mark Streiff

Interim Associate Vice President for Liberal Arts Division
mstreiff@sunyjefferson.edu
(315) 786-6542