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: 

  • Successfully completing either COLLG 110 or COLLG 115 will fulfill the College Success requirement. 
  • 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

• ENGL& 101 English Composition I (5 credits)

• 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

• EDUC& 202 Introduction to Education (5 credits)

• 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.

• MATH& 131 Math for Elementary Education 1 (5 credits)
• MATH& 132 Math for Elementary Education 2 (5 credits)

• 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

• ENGL& 102 Composition II: Argumentation and Research (5 credits)

• Course purpose: Teachers need to be able to research best practices and effective teaching strategies in the field and argue for their implementation in your classroom. SMU and City U require ENGL& 102.

6. Communications Course Recommendation

Choose one

• CMST& 101 Introduction to Communications (5 credits)

• 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.

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

• 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.

• CMST& 230 Small Group Communication (5 credits)

• 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.

• CMST& 240 Intercultural Communication (5 credits)

• Course purpose: The examination of the effects of culture upon the process of communication. Using theory and skill development, students are prepared to communicate effectively both within and across cultures.

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

• HIST& 214 Pacific Northwest History (5 credits)

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

• MATH& 107 Math in Society (5 credits)

• 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

• NSCI 150 Nature (5 credits)

• 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.

• BIOL& 100 Survey of Biology (5 credits)

• 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.

• ANTH& 205 Biological Anthropology (5 credits)

• 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.

• BIOL& 175 Human Biology w/Lab: Anatomy & Physiology (5 credits)

• 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

• 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 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. 

Action Item: GPA Check

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

10. General Psychology

• PSYC& 100 General Psychology (5 credits)

• 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. 

11. Humanities Course Recommendation

Choose one

• ART 215 Art for Teachers (5 credits)

• 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.

• ART 101 Beginning Design (5 credits)

• Course purpose: Elementary teachers may be responsible for meeting the art standards in your 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 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.

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

• 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

• ASTR& 100 Survey of Astronomy (5 credits)

• 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.

• PS 101 Introduction to Physical Science (5 credits)

• 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.

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

• 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

• MUSC 205 Music for Teachers (5 credits)

• 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.

• 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.

• PHIL 150 Introduction to Ethics (5 credits)

• 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.

• 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.

15. Lifespan Psychology

• PSYC& 200 Lifespan Psychology (5 credits)

• 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

• GEOL 107 Exploring Earth Science (5 credits)

• 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.

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

• 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.

• OCEA& 101 Intro to Oceanography (5 credits)

• 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.

• GEOG 210 Physical Geography (5 credits)

• 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

• EDUC& 115 Child Development (5 credits)

• 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.

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

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

• EDUC& 240 Diversity in Education (5 credits)

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

• HIST& 156 History of US I (5 credits)

• 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

• EDUC& 130 Guiding Behavior (3 credits)

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

• EDUC& 150 Child, Family, and Community (3 credits)

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

• HIST& 126 World Civilizations I (5 credits)

• 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.