1. College Success

• COLLG 110 College Success (3 credits)

• 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. Paraeducator Basics

• EDUC& 101 Paraeducator Basics (3 credits)

• 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

• EDUC& 115 Child Development (5 credits)

• Course purpose: Understanding child development is key for effective education in elementary settings. 

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

• EDUC& 130 Guiding Behavior (3 credits)

• Course purpose: Effective classroom management depends on a foundational understanding of behavior strategies for children. 

5. Introduction to Education

• EDUC& 202 Introduction to Education (5 credits)

• Course purpose: Part of a paraeducator’s job is to understand the systems and function of schools and educational systems. 

6. Field Experience I

• EDUC& 191 Field Experience I – Cooperative Work Experience (3 to 5 credits)

• Course purpose: Effective education is dependent on real-life classroom experience. This curse provides students with a field experience placement in an elementary setting. 

7. Introduction to Inclusive Education

• EDUC& 204 Introduction to Inclusive Education (5 credits)

• Course purpose: Today’s schools are more inclusive than ever before. This course prepares students to teach students with ability differences. 

8. Diversity in Education

• EDUC& 240 Diversity in Education (5 credits)

• Course purpose: Teachers must understand diversity and social justice issues influencing educational setting in order to serve a diverse array of students. 

9. English Composition I

• ENGL& 101 English Composition I (5 credits)

• 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.

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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. 

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

• MATH& 131 Math for Elementary Education 1 (5 credits)

• Course purpose: Teachers are expected to teach mathematical concepts. This course prepares students with content knowledge needed to teach math in K-8 settings. 

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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.

11. Introduction to Psychology

• PSYC& 100 General Psychology (5 credits)

• Course purpose: Psychology is key in understanding human behavior – an important skill for educators. 

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

• HIST& 214 Pacific Northwest History (5 credits)

• Course purpose: Teachers need to understand the history content that they will be teaching. This course focuses on local 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

• CMST& 101 Introduction to Communications (5 credits)

• 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.

• CMST& 220 Fundamentals of Public Speaking (5 credits)

• 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.

• CMST 105 Intercultural Communication (5 credits)

• 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.

• CMST& 230 Small Group Communication (5 credits)

• 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

• PHIL 150 Introduction to Ethics (5 credits)

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

• PHIL& 115 Critical Thinking (5 credits)

• 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

• NSCI 150 Nature (5 credits)

• 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.

• BIOL& 100 Survey of Biology (5 credits)

• 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.

• ANTH& 205 Biological Anthropology (5 credits)

• 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

• SOC& 101 Introduction to Sociology (5 credits)

• 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.

• SOC& 201 Social Problems (5 credits)

• 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. 

• SOC 235 Race and Ethnicity (5 credits)

• 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.

• ANTH& 106 American Mosaic (5 credits)

• 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

• ART 215 Art for Teachers (5 credits)

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

• ART 101 Beginning Design (5 credits)

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

• ENGL 207 Native American Literatures (5 credits)

• 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.

• ENGL 210 Multicultural American Literature (5 credits)

• 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

• ASTR& 100 Survey of Astronomy (5 credits)

• 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.

• PS 101 Introduction to Physical Science (5 credits)

• 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.

• PHYS& 110 Physics for Non-Science Majors (5 credits)

• 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

• MUSC 205 Music for Teachers (5 credits)

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

• MUSC& 141 Music Theory I (5 credits)

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

• HUM 107 Latin American Thought and Cultures (5 credits)

• 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.

• HUM 106 Ethnic Thought and Culture (5 credits)

• 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

• GEOL 107 Exploring Earth Science (5 credits)

• 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.

• GEOL& 101 Introduction to Physical Geology (5 credits)

• 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.

• OCEA& 101 Intro to Oceanography (5 credits)

• 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

• EDUC& 291 Field Experience II - Cooperative Work Experience (2 to 3 credits)

• Course purpose: Paraeducators need classroom experiences in order to put learned tools into practice. 

Total Credits 94-97

Program Code: TBA