Education, Associate of Arts (506)
About Our Program
This program is designed for the student intending to transfer to a senior institution to complete a baccalaureate degree.
Nature of Work and Employment
Graduates of four-year baccalaureate programs in this major are typically employed as teachers in elementary schools, secondary schools, colleges and universities, religious organizations, and civic/social organizations.
Special Considerations
The listed coursework is a recommendation only. Students should check with a student advisor for HCC graduation requirements and specific university requirements in this major.
Requirements
Associate of Arts Requirements
Students must meet all requirements for the Associate of Arts degree in order to graduate from Highland Community College. For more information, please see your advisor.
Recommended Courses
The following are recommended courses for this major only.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| PSY 161 | Introduction to Psychology 1 | 3 |
| EDUC 100 | Education Observation I | 1 |
| EDUC 200 | Education Observation II | 2 |
| EDUC 124 | Multicultural Education | 3 |
| EDUC 224 | The Exceptional Individual 2 | 3 |
| PSY 261 | Educational Psychology 2 | 3 |
| EDUC 221 | American Public School 2 | 3 |
| or EDUC 222 | Education As An Agent Change | |
| EDUC 225 | Educational Technology 2 | 3 |
| PSY 162 | Child Psychology 1 | 3 |
| or PSY 262 | Human Growth\Development | |
- 1
Course has a prerequisite. See course description.
- 2
Consult with a student advisor prior to selection.
Program Outcomes
- Written Communication: Students will be able to produce written work that displays college-level skills, insight, and critical thinking through meaningful and appropriate content.
- Oral Communication: Students will be able to prepare and deliver a purposeful presentation designed to increase knowledge, to foster understanding, or to promote change in the listeners’ attitudes, values, beliefs, or behaviors.
- Critical Thinking: Students will be able to evaluate and create arguments that consider a variety of issues, ideas, artifacts, and events.
- Quantitative Literacy: Students will demonstrate the ability to reason and solve quantitative problems from a wide array of authentic contexts and everyday life situations.
- Information Literacy: Students will engage in reflective discovery of information, evaluate information based on an understanding of how it is produced and valued, synthesize information to create new knowledge and participate ethically in communities of learning.
- Diversity: Students will recognize diversity in the global community and model culturally competent civic and social participation.
Licensure Requirements
Students interested in teaching in the State of Illinois have choices of licensure in many areas. The following are the most popular categories:
- Early Childhood (Birth through Grade 3)
- Elementary (Kindergarten through Grade 9)
- Secondary (Grades 6 through 12)
- Special (Kindergarten through Grade 12)
Highland Community College provides general education courses and some professional courses for students interested in any of these areas. Many courses are the same for all certification levels; however, the number of hours required in certain disciplines may vary.
Students interested in the teaching profession should contact a student advisor for up-to-date information regarding state requirements and senior institution admission requirements.
Special Notes
Some courses require classroom observation at local schools. Students are responsible for completing any fingerprinting and/or background checks required of observers or volunteers in a local school.
Elementary Education
Students need to declare an area of emphasis after transferring to a senior institution. Working with a student advisor will help clarify students’ choices in these areas.
Secondary/Special Education
Students should declare a major in a specific area such as history, biology, speech, hearing impaired, etc. General education and professional education courses complete the program.
The recommended courses on the next page are intended to give students a general idea of course choices. Education majors are required to consult with a student advisor, faculty member, and/or the Transfer Coordinator to ensure proper course selection and program advising. Certification requirements are subject to change due to legislation or Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) decisions.
Test of Academic Proficiency
Test of Academic Proficiency is required by education programs in the state of Illinois. The TAP test should be taken before transfer to a university. Information on the test can be found at www.il.nesinc.com or by contacting the advisor for the program at Highland Community College.