Explore Your Passion for Teaching with SCC's Elementary Education Associate Degree Transfer Program.
Are you ready to embark on a fulfilling career inspiring young minds? Our Elementary Education Associate Degree Transfer Program may be your ticket.
Program location
Why Elementary Education at SCC?
Get an Affordable Education: SCC offers an excellent education without breaking the bank. Our programs are designed to be accessible to everyone, making your dream of becoming a teacher a reality.
Leverage Transfer Opportunities: Start your journey at SCC and seamlessly transfer your credits to a four-year institution to complete your bachelor's degree. We've got your pathway to success mapped out!
Be Part of a Supportive Community: Join a community of like-minded individuals and experienced faculty who are committed to your success. We believe in nurturing both academic and personal growth.
What you'll learn
Child Development: Gain insights into the cognitive, social, and emotional development of children, setting a strong foundation for effective teaching.
Classroom Management: Learn practical strategies to create a positive and engaging learning environment, making you a confident leader in the classroom.
Curriculum Design: Master the art of creating lesson plans that cater to diverse learning styles, ensuring every student thrives in your classroom.
Technology Integration: Stay ahead in the digital age by incorporating cutting-edge technology to enhance your teaching methods.
Field Experience: Immerse yourself in real classrooms, putting theory into practice and refining your teaching skills under the guidance of experienced educators.
Earn your teaching degree right here
SCC's partnership with Mount Mercy University allows you to earn your teaching degree right here in West Burlington.
Earn your bachelor’s degree in secondary education right on campus. Choose from any of these endorsement areas: Art, Business, English-Language Arts, History, Mathematics, Music, Science- Biological, Social Science.
Key classes you'll take
- EDU-920 Field Experience
- EDU-212 Educational Foundations
- EDU-247 Teaching Exceptional Learners
- EDU-255 Technology in the Classroom
Where this program can take you
- Elementary School Teacher (grades K-4)
- Preschool Teacher (added endorsement)
- Special Education Teacher
- Literacy Specialist
Common transfer colleges & universities
- Mount Mercy University
- Western Illinois University
- University of Iowa
- Iowa State University
- University of Northern Iowa
- St. Ambrose University
Did you know?
Students in our program have interactions with children every week (teaching lessons, observing milestones, assessing children's development.
Our grads can take advantage of a number of transfer options to 4-year colleges and universities across the region so they can earn a bachelor's degree.
Contact Us
West Burlington Campus Admissions
Call: (319) 208-5155
Text: (319) 250-7144
Email: admissionswb@scciowa.edu
Keokuk Campus Admissions
Call: (319) 313-1923
Text: (319) 220-3266
Email: admissionskeo@scciowa.edu
The Elementary Education AA degree transfer major prepares students with a foundation in education principles, theory and practice, and exposes them to complex problems and relations in the field of education. Teachers play an essential role in fostering the intellectual and social development of children in their formative years. Using a variety of active learning approaches, teachers help students understand abstract principles, solve problems and develop critical thought process. Teaching grades K-6 educators provide the tools and the environment for their students to develop into responsible citizens.
All students must clear a background check to be enrolled in education classes.
This degree is designed for students to complete the first two years of a four-year teaching degree program, earning their Associate of Arts. Students then transfer to an accredited teacher's education program at a public or private four-year college or university.
For specific information regarding program rules and expectations, please view the Early Childhood Education & Teacher Education Programs Handbook.
Summary Sheet
The summary sheet provides a program overview and other information.
Curriculum Sequence
| Fall Semester I | Course Title | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| SDV-108 | The College Experience | 1 |
| ENG-105 | Composition I | 3 |
| PSY-111 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| MAT-117 | Math for Elementary Teachers | 3 |
| EDU-212 | Educational Foundations | 3 |
| EDU-920 | Field Experience | 2 |
| TOTAL CREDITS | 15 |
| Spring Semester I | Course Title | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| ENG-106 | Composition II | 3 |
| SOC-110 | Introduction to Sociology | 3 |
| ZZZ-CUL | Cultural Awareness Course | 3 |
| ZZZ-HUM | Humanities Course | 3 |
| Take one 3 Credit Course | ||
| ZZZ-MSC | Math or Science Course | 3-5 |
| TOTAL CREDITS | 15 | |
| Fall Semester II | Course Title | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| SPC-112 | Public Speaking | 3 |
| EDU-240 | Educational Psychology | 3 |
| EDU-235 | Children's Literature | 3 |
| ZZZ-HUM | Humanities Course | 3 |
| PSY-121 | Developmental Psychology | 3 |
| TOTAL CREDITS | 15 |
| Spring Semester II | Course Title | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| EDU-245 | Exceptional Learner | 3 |
| EDU-255 | Technology in the Classroom | 3 |
| HIS-152 | US History Since 1877 | 3 |
| ZZZ-SOC | Social Science Course | 3 |
| Take Course(s) Totaling at Least 4 Credits | ||
| ZZZ-LAB | Lab Science Course | 3-5 |
| TOTAL CREDITS | 16 | |
SDV-108 - The College Experience
|
Lecture: 1 |
Credit: 1 |
This course is designed to empower new students to successfully transition to college. Students will learn academic success skills, strategies for personal development and exploration, college culture and expectations, and how to access college resources and services.
ENG-105 - Composition I
|
Lecture: 3 |
Credit: 3 |
A study of the principles of writing. Emphasis on rhetoric, mechanics and development of expository patterns: narration, description illustration, comparison/contrast, classification, process and cause/effect. Required for AA and AS Degrees. Prerequisite: Meet minimum test score requirements.
PSY-111 - Introduction to Psychology
|
Lecture: 3 |
Credit: 3 |
A basic course in the understanding of behavior, designed to give the student a scientific background in the fundamental problems and techniques covered in the field of psychology.
MAT-117 - Math for Elementary Teachers
|
Lecture: 3 |
Credit: 3 |
This course is recommended for students pursuing a teaching degree in elementary education. It provides opportunities to better understand mathematical content practices as a foundation for teaching mathematics in an elementary classroom. Topics will include the NCTM Principles and Standards for School Mathematics, problem-solving strategies, set theory, number systems, operations in the real number systems, informal geometry, elementary probability, and statistics. Prerequisite: MAT-092 with a minimum grade of C- or meet minimum placement testing requirements.
EDU-212 - Educational Foundations
|
Lecture: 3 |
Credit: 3 |
This survey course is designed to examine the historical, philosophical, sociological, political, economic and legal foundations of the American public education system. Students will explore the nature of school environments, design and organization of school curriculum and characteristics of effective schools and instruction in grades P-12. Educational structures, practices and projections for the future will be studied. Corequisite: EDU-920.
EDU-920 - Field Experience
|
Lecture: 1 |
Lab: 2 |
Credit: 2 |
Field Experience provides the student an opportunity to observe a teacher in a local classroom and to work with students in that classroom under direct supervision of the cooperating teacher. Students will be required to complete 32 observation hours. The student will complete observation documents during their required hours in the classroom. Corequisite: EDU-212.
ENG-106 - Composition II
|
Lecture: 3 |
Credit: 3 |
A continuation of study of the principles of writing begun in ENG-105. Emphasis is placed on persuasive writing, critical analysis and the MLA research paper. Time will also be spent exploring print and electronic research sources and learning effective research strategies. Required for AA and AS Degrees. Prerequisite: ENG-105, with a minimum grade of C-.
ZZZ-MSC - Math or Science Course
|
Lecture: 2-4 |
Lab: 0-2 |
Credit: 3-5 |
Courses fulfilling the Math or Science requirement address quantitative and/or scientific reasoning skills. Any course of 100-level or above from mathematics or a science discipline can fulfill this requirement. Please see your Student Success Advocate to help choose the best option for you.
SOC-110 - Introduction to Sociology
|
Lecture: 3 |
Credit: 3 |
An analysis of social organization (or the social order). This course deals with the nature of sociology as a science, the original nature of man, the socialization of the individual, the development of groups and group behavior, the nature of culture and culture patterns, the organization of institutions, the nature of social order, the organization of human stratification and examination of major social processes. Special emphasis is placed upon the American cultural patterns.
ZZZ-CUL - Cultural Awareness Course
|
Lecture: 3 |
Credit: 3 |
Courses fulfilling the Cultural Awareness requirement address the diversity of culture within the United States and across the world. These courses span a wide range of academic disciplines. Please see your Student Success Advocate to help choose the best option for you.
ZZZ-HUM - Humanities Course
|
Lecture: 3 |
Credit: 3 |
Courses fulfilling the Humanities requirement address human history, languages, literature, philosophy, and the arts. These courses span a wide range of academic disciplines. The Associate of Arts and Associate of Science degrees require Humanities courses from at least two different disciplines. Please see your Student Success Advocate to help choose the best option for you.
SPC-112 - Public Speaking
|
Lecture: 3 |
Credit: 3 |
This course examines both the theoretical and practical basis of speech communication, particularly public speaking. Emphasis is on speech preparation, organization, support, delivery and audience analysis.
EDU-240 - Educational Psychology
|
Lecture: 3 |
Credit: 3 |
This course examines the application of psychological principles, theories and methodologies to issues of teaching and learning. Theory and research concerned with human learning, development, behavior and motivation is reviewed with an emphasis on the cognitive, psychological and social factors that relate to and influence learning in educational settings. Prerequisite: PSY-111.
EDU-235 - Children's Literature
|
Lecture: 3 |
Credit: 3 |
A survey of the history, critical issues and characteristics of children's literature and an examination of both writing and illustration as the basis for evaluating and selecting children's literature for use in the pre-school and elementary classroom.
ZZZ-HUM - Humanities Course
|
Lecture: 3 |
Credit: 3 |
Courses fulfilling the Humanities requirement address human history, languages, literature, philosophy, and the arts. These courses span a wide range of academic disciplines. The Associate of Arts and Associate of Science degrees require Humanities courses from at least two different disciplines. Please see your Student Success Advocate to help choose the best option for you.
PSY-121 - Developmental Psychology
|
Lecture: 3 |
Credit: 3 |
A systematic study of life-span development. Individual differences in behavior as well as cultural norms are considered in relation to heredity and environment.
EDU-245 - Exceptional Learner
|
Lecture: 3 |
Credit: 3 |
This is a survey course that provides an overview of special education regulations, policies and programs in educational settings. Birth through 12th grade pre-service teachers learn the history of special education law, including IDEA and as it applies to the course with ESSA, characteristics of the categories of disabilities per federal and state regulations, characteristics of talented and gifted programs, and basic components of an IEP. This course is a required component for students seeking Birth through 12th grade teacher state licensure. Ten hours of observation will be required.
EDU-255 - Technology in the Classroom
|
Lecture: 3 |
Credit: 3 |
Students will learn to integrate instructional technology into the PK-12 classrooms. Students will study a variety of software programs, presentation technology and telecommunication tools. The focus will also be on social, ethical, legal and human issues surrounding the use of technology. This course will be taken in a student's final semester of their program. Pre-requisites: EDU-212, EDU-920, and EDU-245, or instructor permission.
HIS-152 - US History Since 1877
|
Lecture: 3 |
Credit: 3 |
A survey of American social, political, economic and intellectual developments since 1877.
ZZZ-SOC - Social Science Course
|
Lecture: 3 |
Credit: 3 |
Courses fulfilling the Social Science requirement address the behavior of humans as individuals and groups. These courses cover the academic disciplines of economics, geography, history, political science, psychology, and sociology. The Associate of Arts and Associate of Science degrees require Social Science courses from at least two different disciplines. Please see your Student Success Advocate to help choose the best option for you.
ZZZ-LAB - Lab Science Course
|
Lecture: 2-4 |
Lab: 2 |
Credit: 3-5 |
Courses fulfilling the Lab Science requirement incorporate hands-on experimentation and observation by students in the study of science. Any science course of 100-level or above including laboratory credit from the disciplines of biology, chemistry, physics, physical science, science, or environmental science can fulfill this requirement. Please see your Student Success Advocate to help choose the best option for you.
Amy Drew - Instructor - Early Childhood Education
Email: adrew@scciowa.edu
AA, Southeastern Community College
BA, Iowa Wesleyan University
MS, Walden University
Bailea Grier - Instructor - Early Childhood Education
Email: bgrier@scciowa.edu
AA, Southeastern Community College
BA, University of Northern Iowa
MA, Viterbo University