Elementary Education, Associate in Arts (Grades 1 through 6)
Total Program Credits: 61-62
(formerly an Education AA Degree emphasis)
The Elementary Education Associates in Arts Transfer Pathway is designed for students interested in teaching at the elementary, secondary or special education levels. All course requirements are the same regardless of which pathway you choose:
- Elementary Education (grades 1-6);
- Secondary Education (grades 9-12); and
- Special Education (grades Pre-K-12).
The Education Associates in Arts degree program at Triton College will prepare you to transfer to a four-year institution to earn a bachelor’s degree in education. Our education programs will provide you with an optimal learning environment that provides small class sizes, innovative teaching techniques and real-world field experiences in our on-site Child Development Center or at high quality programs and schools within the community.
Students will be introduced to foundational concepts and best practices in the areas of human growth and development, curriculum and instruction, teaching exceptional learners, anti-bias instruction, educational psychology, classroom culture and collaboration, assessment and observation.
Admission into baccalaureate degree programs is competitive and most senior institutions require a Grade Point Average of 2.5 or higher. A "C" or higher is required in all coursework at Triton College and senior institutions. Completion of these courses alone does not guarantee admission into the senior institution.
Transfer courses may vary per baccalaureate institutions. All program courses may not transfer to four-year institutions.
Program Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the Associate in Arts Degree (Elementary Education Transfer Pathway) emphasis, the graduate will be able to:
- PLO #1: Describe appropriate technological resource to support instruction.
- PLO #2: Design instruction that meets the diverse needs of students.
- PLO #3: Describe the theories and philosophies of learning and human development.
- PLO #4: Distinguish how exceptionalities may interact with development and learning.
- PLO #5: Apply common core standards in all aspects of curriculum and instruction.
- PLO #6: Describe the roles and responsibilities of teachers.
(Reviewed Fall 2023)
Placement Measures
Program Map for Students
| ART 110 ◊ Looking at Art | Fine Arts Gen-ed | 3 |
| OR | | |
| ART 111 ◊ Ancient to Medieval Art | Fine Arts Gen-ed | 3 |
| OR | | |
| ART 112 ◊ Renaissance to Modern Art | Fine Arts Gen-ed | 3 |
| OR | | |
| ART 114 ◊ Survey of Asian Art | Fine Arts Gen-ed | 3 |
| | | |
| EDU 207 ◊ # Introduction to Education | Core Course | 3 |
| MAT 116 ◊ # Math for Elementary School Teachers I | Core Course | 3 |
| | | |
| HIS 151 ◊ History of the United States to 1877 | Social and Behavioral Science Gen-ed | 3 |
| OR | | |
| HIS 152 ◊ History of the United States Since 1877 | Social and Behavioral Science Gen-ed | 3 |
| | | |
| RHT 101 ◊ # English Rhetoric & Composition I | Communications Gen-ed | 3 |
| Total Semester Credits: | 15 |
Meet with your Academic Advisor to create an academic plan.
Explore transfer institutions and admissions requirements by attending transfer events. |
Notes: Grade of “C” or higher is an IAI requirement for RHT 101◊ and RHT 102◊.
EDU 207◊ may be used as a Program Elective.
| EDU 110 ◊ Diversity of Schools and Society | Core Course | 3 |
| OR | | |
| EDU 206 ◊ Human Growth and Development | Core Course | 3 |
| | | |
| LIT 101 ◊ # Introduction to Poetry | Humanities Gen-ed | 3 |
| OR | | |
| LIT 103 ◊ # Introduction to Fiction | Humanities Gen-ed | 3 |
| OR | | |
| LIT 170 Introduction to Children's Literature | Humanities Gen-ed | 3 |
| | | |
| MAT 117 ◊ # Math for Elementary School Teachers II | Mathematics Gen-ed | 3 |
| | | |
| AST 100 ◊ Introduction to Astronomy | Physical Science Gen-ed | 4 |
| OR | | |
| AST 101 ◊ Astronomy of the Solar System | Physical Science Gen-ed | 4 |
| OR | | |
| AST 102 ◊ Astronomy of the Stars and Beyond | Physical Science Gen-ed | 4 |
| OR | | |
| PHS 100 ◊ Introduction to Earth Science | Physical Science Gen-ed | 4 |
| | | |
| RHT 102 ◊ # English Rhetoric and Composition II | Communications Gen-ed | 3 |
| Total Semester Credits: | 16 |
Meet with your Academic Advisor to update your academic and transfer plan.
Create a Transferology account to explore how coursework transfers. Attend a Transfer 101 Workshop. |
Note: Grade of “C” or higher is an IAI requirement for RHT 101◊ and RHT 102◊.
MAT 117◊, EDU 110◊ and EDU 206◊ may be used as Program Electives.
| ANT 103 ◊ Cultural Anthropology | Social and Behavioral Science Gen-ed | 3 |
| | | |
| MUS 104 ◊ Music in America | Fine Arts Gen-ed | 3 |
| OR | | |
| MUS 110 ◊ Listening to Music | Fine Arts Gen-ed | 3 |
| OR | | |
| MUS 215 ◊ Introduction to Music History | Fine Arts Gen-ed | 3 |
| | | |
| PSC 150 ◊ American National Politics | Social and Behavioral Science Gen-ed | 3 |
| SPE 101 ◊ # Principles of Effective Speaking | Communications Gen-ed | 3 |
| Take Credits Life Science | Life Science Gen-ed | 3-4 |
| Total Semester Credits: | 15-16 |
Meet with your Academic Advisor to update your academic and transfer plan.
Attend a Ready to Apply Workshop.
GECC Credential Achieved. |
| PSY 100 ◊ Introduction to Psychology | Social and Behavioral Science Gen-ed | 3 |
| Take Credits Program Electives | Program Elective | 12 |
| Total Semester Credits: | 15 |
Meet with your Academic Advisor to finalize your transfer plan.
Submit graduation petition by deadline (check for the specific date in catalog or syllabi.)
Apply to your transfer institution(s). |
Note: PSY 100◊ may be used as a Program Elective.
| EDU 110 ◊ Diversity of Schools and Society | Core Course | 3 |
| OR | | |
| EDU 206 ◊ Human Growth and Development | Core Course | 3 |
| | | |
| EDU 200 ◊ Introduction to Special Education | Core Course | 3 |
| EDU 215 ◊ Educational Psychology | Core Course | 3 |
| GEO 104 ◊ Contemporary World Cultures | Social and Behavioral Science Gen-ed | 3 |
(Select courses that meet the BA requirements of your transfer college. Foreign Language encouraged if transferring.)
Note: EDU 110◊, EDU 200◊, EDU 206◊, EDU 207◊ and EDU 215◊ are not approved courses by the Illinois Articulation Initiative. Check with your Transfer College or university to see how they transfer.
Secondary Education (Grades 9 - 12)
Curriculum: EDU.SED.AA
Secondary Education majors follow the same curriculum requirements as Elementary Education majors. (Fall 2020)
Special Education (Grades K through 12)
Curriculum: EDU.SPC.AA
Special Education majors follow the same curriculum requirements as Elementary Education majors. (Fall 2020)
See Associate in Arts Graduation Requirements by discipline: https://triton.smartcatalogiq.com/2023-2024/triton-college-catalog/arts-and-sciences-programs/associate-in-arts/associate-in-arts-degree-requirements/
See EDU course descriptions.
Chairperson: Angela Staunton, Ext. 3257, email: angelastaunton@triton.edu
KEY
(AA/AS/AGS/GECC) |
| General Education |
Communications, Fine Arts, Humanities, Life Science, Mathematics, Physical Science, Social and Behavioral Science (see individual degree requirements). |
| Core Course |
Course(s) that faculty recommend and are listed in a semester for this program. |
| Program Elective |
Course(s) that faculty recommend and are listed in the ‘Program Electives’ section (if any) for this program. |
If intending to transfer, choose courses accepted by your transfer institution. |
| Elective (general) |
Course(s) chosen by the student, if needed, above and beyond core courses and program electives (if any), to complete the Program Total Credits. |
| ◊ symbol |
This course is articulated. (course transfers to 3 or more Illinois State schools, as an elective or equal course-to-course) |
| # symbol |
This course has a prerequisite. (course(s) student takes prior to taking this course) |