2019-2020 Pierce College Catalog 
    
    Mar 28, 2024  
2019-2020 Pierce College Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Paraeducation (AAS-T) Course Map


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Created by Pierce faculty, this map outlines the initial coursework for this career field. 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. 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 the Associate of Applied Science - Transfer Paraeducation, you are responsible for fulfilling all degree requirements.  Questions? Your Success Network is ready to help you!

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. Paraeducator Basics


  • Course purpose: Paraeducators need basic skills in techniques supporting instruction, professional and ethical practices, positive and safe learning environments, effective communication and teamwork to effectively support teachers and students in the classroom.  

3. Child Development


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. Guiding Behavior


5. Introduction to Education


6. Field Experience I


7. Introduction to Inclusive Education


8. Diversity in Education


9. English Composition I


  • Course purpose: Teachers are expected to teach English language arts. This course prepares students with content knowledge needed to teach English language in K-8 settings.

10. Math for Elem Educ 1: Number Systems & Problem Solving


11. Introduction to Psychology


Action Item: Transfer Plan


  • Meet with your advisor to discuss potential transfer options if this is in your plan.
  • 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.

12. Pacific Northwest History


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

13. Communications Course Recommendation


Choose one

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

  • Course purpose: 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: 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.

14. Philosophy Course Recommendation


Choose one

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

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

Action Item: GPA Check


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

15. Natural Science Course Recommendation


Choose one

  • Course purpose: 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: 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: 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.

16. Social Science Course 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 some of the socioculturally defined problems today. 

  • 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. 

17. Humanities Course Recommendation


Choose one

  • Course purpose: Teachers may be responsible for meeting the art standards in their classrooms. This course builds content knowledge and has some methodology.

  • Course purpose: Teachers may be responsible for meeting the art standards in their 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 address the Eurocentric focus that is common in elementary curriculum.

Action Item: Meet with Advisor


Meet with advisor to discuss practicum placement.

18. Natural Science Course Recommendation


Choose one

  • Course purpose: 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: 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: 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.

19. Humanities Course Recommendation


Choose one

  • Course purpose: Teachers may be responsible for meeting the music standards in their classrooms.  This course builds content knowledge and has some methodology.

  • Course purpose: 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.

20. Natural Science Course Recommendation


Choose one

  • Course purpose: 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: 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: 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.

21. Field Experience II


Total Credits 94-97


Program Code: TBA


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