2018-2019 Pierce College Catalog 
    
    Mar 28, 2024  
2018-2019 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 of 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.

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.

3. Introduction to Education


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 & History Course Recommendation


Choose one group.

Group A


Group B


  • Course purpose: Elementary teachers need a strong mathematical foundation so you can effectively teach math content and monitor student progress in the class. This class focuses on statistics which is one of the math strands and part of the CCSS in math.

  • Course purpose: Elementary teachers need to understand the history content that you will be teaching. This course focuses on ancient civilizations.

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.

  • Course purpose: Elementary teachers need to be effective oral communicators in the classroom and working with parents and co-workers. This course focuses on public speaking.

  • 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.

  • 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 are faced with a variety of ethical dilemmas.  These courses build the foundation on how to navigate those difficult decisions.

  • Course purpose: Elementary teachers are working with the diverse population of our society. This course explores critical thinking including how to mitigate bias and identify flawed arguments.

  • Course purpose: Elementary teachers working in the Pacific Northwest must have an understanding of local 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.

8. Natural Science Course Recommendation


  • 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.

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.

  • 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, Leiani Sherwin at lsherwin@pierce.ctc.edu or in OLY 163.

12. Education Practicum


13. Natural 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.

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

  • 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: 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.

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

18. Education Course Recommendation


Choose one

Total Credits: 91


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