2020-2021 Pierce College Catalog 
    
    Mar 29, 2024  
2020-2021 Pierce College Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Elementary Education (AA-DTA) Course Map


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Created by Pierce faculty, this map outlines the initial coursework for this career field and for transfer to a four-year institution. It provides you a clear path to complete your degree by listing a specific set of courses relevant to your program and career. The map is designed with the appropriate number of credits and meets degree requirements. Courses are organized in a recommended sequence; please schedule accordingly. If a course is unavailable, select the next appropriate course within the sequence. If you want to change a course on this map you must speak with an advisor to assure you meet all degree requirements. For each course, a purpose statement explains how the content relates to your career field. On this map, there may be instances when you will be required to select a course from several options. Use these purpose statements and notes to choose the course that best aligns with your interests and needs. You will also find action items to complete to assure you progress and graduate on time. While this map is a great guide to courses required to complete an Associate in Arts - Direct Transfer Agreement (AA-DTA)   Degree, you are responsible for fulfilling all degree requirements. Questions? Your Success Network is ready to help you!

Important note about transfer: colleges and universities may change their requirements at any time, so this map is not a guarantee of transfer. You will need to check transfer requirements with your intended four-year school. 

1. College Success


  • Course purpose: A foundational course to explore and affirm a career choice and build upon the skills, knowledge, and resources that will support you at Pierce College and beyond.

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  • Note: The College Success course you select will depend on the Career Pathway Map you are following. Your advisor will assist you in selecting either the 3- or 5- credit version of the course. Should you choose to repeat a College Success course you must enroll in a College Success course with the same credit amount as the original course; a COLLG 110 course grade can only be replaced with a grade from another COLLG 110 course and a COLLG 115 course grade can only be replaced with a grade from another COLLG 115 course.

2. English Composition I


  • Course purpose: As an elementary teacher you will often find yourself writing lessons, creating assessments, and communicating in writing with parents, fellow teachers, and the principal. ENGL& 101 will provide the foundational skills of developing these writing skills.

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  • Note: Your advisor will assist you in reviewing your Guided Self Placement and selecting either the 5-credit or the 7-credit co-requisite ENGL& 101 + ENGLC 101 course. 

3. Introduction to Education


  • Course purpose: This course provides you the history and foundations of schooling in the USA and the current issues and trends in education. This course is required for transfer to CWU, SMU, and City U.

Action Item: Transfer Fair


Attend a transfer fair and choose a transfer institution so that you take the correct prerequisites.

Action Item: Meet with Advisor


Use your Success Network!  In your first quarter, meet with your advisor to revisit your career and transfer path, make adjustments to your goals as needed, and plan for your next steps. 

4. Math Course Recommendation


Choose one course per quarter until sequence is finished.

  • Course purpose: Elementary teachers need a strong mathematical foundation so you can effectively teach math content and monitor student progress in the class. This sequence supports all five math strands in the standards developed by the National Council of the Teachers of Mathematics and also prepares students for the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) in math. These courses are required for transfer to CWU, City U and PLU.  For students that have already completed a quantitative math course, see an advisor at CWU on options.  City U requires MATH& 131, 132 and a third college-level math. SMU will also accept MATH& 146 in place of MATH& 131 and MATH&132.

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  • Note: The math course you select will depend on the Career Pathway Map you are following, the transfer institution/degree that you select, and your math placement guidance. Your advisor will assist you in selecting the relevant 5 or 7 credit course(s) based upon co-requisite options. 

Action Item: Education Testing


Take WEST-B unless you have equivalent passing scores on the SAT or ACT exams: www.pierce.ctc.edu/education-testing.

5. English Composition II


6. Communications Course Recommendation


Choose one

  • Course purpose: Elementary teachers need to be effective oral communicators in the classroom and working with parents and co-workers. This course provides a broad overview of communication. City U requires CMST& 101 or CMST& 220 for transfer.

  • Course purpose: Elementary teachers need to be effective oral communicators in the classroom and working with parents and co-workers. This course focused on public speaking. City U requires CMST& 101 or CMST& 220 for transfer. SMU requires CMST& 220 and CMST 105.

  • Course purpose: Elementary teachers need to be effective oral communicators in the classroom and working with parents and co-workers. This course focuses on intercultural communication which is important in our increasingly diverse society. This course has a short unit on education topics. SMU requires CMST& 220 and CMST 105.

  • Course purpose: Elementary teachers need to be effective oral communicators in the classroom and working with parents and co-workers. This course focuses on small group communication which is how a lot of instruction happens in elementary schools and is essential on your grade level team.

Action Item: Meet with Advisor


 Meet with an advisor at your transfer institution to ensure you have all the prerequisites for your program of study on your education plan. Also, ask about the application process and deadlines for both the university and the school of education.

7. Education Course Recommendation


Choose one

  • Course purpose: Elementary teachers working in the Pacific Northwest must have an understanding of local history. CWU, PLU, and SMU require Pacific Northwest History.

  • Course purpose: Elementary teachers need a strong mathematical foundation so they can effectively teach math content and monitor student progress in the class. This class focuses on math in everyday life. City U requries a third math course for elementary majors. This course is preferred. Additional math course options are MATH& 141, MATH& 142 and MATH& 151.

8. Life Science Course Recommendation


Choose one

  • Course purpose: Elementary teachers need a broad foundation of science skills, including life sciences. This course explores local plants and animals which helps to teach to the Next Generation Science Standards.

  • Course purpose: Elementary teachers need a broad foundation of science skills, including life sciences. This course provides a broad overview of biology which helps to teach to the Next Generation Science Standards.

  • Course purpose: Elementary teachers need a broad foundation of science skills, including life sciences. This course explores evaluation, genetics, scientific classification, and human variation which helps to teach to the Next Generation Science Standards.

  • Course purpose: Elementary teachers need a broad foundation of science skills, including life sciences. This course provides a comprehensive study of the human body which helps to teach to the Next Generation Science Standards.

9. Social Science Recommendation


Choose one

  • Course purpose: Teachers need an understanding of systemic issues impacting education today, including sex, gender, race, ethnicity, and social stratification. This course provides broad overview of sociology which is the study of society and human interaction.

  • Course purpose: Teachers need an understanding of systemic issues impacting education today, including sex, gender, race, ethnicity, and social stratification. This course explores race and ethnicity in contemporary society.

  • Course purpose: Teachers need an understanding of systemic issues impacting education today, including sex, gender, race, ethnicity, and social stratification. This class explores multiculturalism in the US and various aspects of social identity. 

Action Item: GPA Check


GPA check-Are you on track to meeting the GPA requirement at your transfer institution?

10. General Psychology


  • Course purpose: Teachers need an understanding of the human mind and human behaviors that the study of psychology can help with. This course is a prerequisite for PSYC& 200 which is required at CWU, City U, and SMU. This course is required for transfer to City U and PLU.

Action Item: Apply for Graduation


Way to go! It is time to apply for graduation. Visit the Pierce College Graduation website for details. https://www.pierce.ctc.edu/graduation

11. Humanities Course Recommendation


Choose one

  • Course purpose: Elementary teachers may be responsible for meeting the art standards in their classrooms. This course builds content knowledge and has some methodology. City U requires and art course. This is the preferred art course. PLU recommends that you take this course prior to transferring.

  • Course purpose: Elementary teachers may be responsible for meeting the art standards in your classrooms. This course builds content knowledge.

  • Course purpose: This course builds content knowledge in English Language Arts to support the Common Course State Standards. It also complements the Since Time Immemorial curriculum which is taught in all Washington State elementary schools.

  • Course purpose: This course builds content knowledge in English Language Arts to support the Common Course State Standards. It also provides an opportunity to explore multicultural American literature which will help you address the Eurocentric focus that is common in elementary curriculum.

Action Item: Field Experience


Turn in Application for Field Experience to Field Experience and Teacher Certification Manager.

12. Field Experience I


  • If you take EDUC& 191 Field Experience I – Cooperative Work Experience for 3 credits, you will need to take an additional course with a minimum of 1 credit to complete the 90 credits needed to graduate.

  • Course purpose: A field experience is the best way to know if teaching is the right choice for you. This course is variable credit. There is a two hour seminar and then time spent in a K-12 setting.  Three credits requires 30 hours in a K-12 setting, four credits requires 60 hours, and five credits is 90 hours.  

13. Physical Science Recommendation


Choose one

  • Course purpose: Elementary teachers need a broad foundation of science skills, including physical sciences, to teach to the Next Generation Science Standards. This course focuses on the solar system.

  • Course purpose: Elementary teachers need a broad foundation of science skills, including physical sciences, to teach to the Next Generation Science Standards. This course also includes some earth science content and covers physics, chemistry, earth science, and astronomy.

  • Course purpose: Elementary teachers need a broad foundation of science skills, including physical sciences, to teach to the Next Generation Science Standards. This course is a broad overview of physics in everyday life.

14. Humanities Course Recommendation


Choose one

  • Course purpose: Elementary teachers may be responsible for meeting the music standards in their classrooms.  This course builds content knowledge and has some methodology. City U requires a music course. This is the preferred music course. PLU recommends that you take this course prior to transferring.

  • Course purpose: Latin students are the fastest growing segment of our current school population. The curriculum of today’s schools remains Eurocentric. The course provides a frame through which to work towards diversifying the curriculum.

  • Course purpose: Elementary teachers are faced with a variety of ethical dilemmas.  These courses build the foundation on how to navigate those difficult decisions. SMU requires one philosophy course.  PHIL 150 is preferred.

  • Course purpose: The curriculum of today’s schools remains Eurocentric. The course provides a frame through which to work towards diversifying the curriculum.

15. Lifespan Psychology


  • Course purpose: Teachers need an understanding of human development from birth to elderly in order to effectively work with children and their families who will be at various stages of development. This course is required for transfer to CWU, SMU, and City U.

16. Natural Science Course Recommendation


Choose one

  • Course purpose: Elementary teachers need a broad foundation of science skills, including earth sciences, to teach to the Next Generation Science Standards. This course is a broad overview of earth science topics.

  • Course purpose: Elementary teachers need a broad foundation of science skills, including earth sciences, to teach to the Next Generation Science Standards. This course is a broad focuses on rocks and minerals.

  • Course purpose: Elementary teachers need a broad foundation of science skills, including earth sciences, to teach to the Next Generation Science Standards. This course examines all aspects of the marine environment.

  • Course purpose: Elementary teachers need a broad foundation of science skills, including earth sciences, to teach to the Next Generation Science Standards. This course focuses on climatology, geomorphology, and biogeography. 

17. Education Course Recommendation


Choose one

  • Course purpose: Elementary teachers need an understanding of child development (birth through adolescence) in order to effectively work with their students. This course is required for transfer to the duel major of ECE and elementary education at CWU.

  • Course purpose: Teaching children with differencing abilities is the job of all teachers in schools today.

  • Course purpose: Closing equity gaps is the job of all teachers in schools today. 

  • Course purpose: Elementary teachers need to understand the history content that they will be teaching. This course focuses on European expansion through 1840. This course meets the US History course requirements for SMU and City U. HIST& 157, HIST& 158 and HIST& 159 would also satisfy this requirement.

18. Education Course Recommendation


Choose one

  • Course purpose: The more classroom management skills and child guidance techniques you have, the more successful you will be in your teaching career.

  • Course purpose: Elementary teachers must be prepared to work with children in the context of their families and communities.

  • Course purpose: Elementary teachers need to understand the history content that you will be teaching. This course focuses on ancient civilizations.  This course meets the world history requirement for City U. HIST& 127 and HIST& 128 would also satisfy this requirement.

Total Credits: 90


NOTE: Minimum of 90 credits earned in courses numbered 100 or above is required to complete the AA-DTA degree. 

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