;

Associate in Science Degree - Elementary Education Option

Overview

A woman interacts with a group of four children that are holding objects.

The Associate in Science with Elementary Education Option s a major within the School of Education. If you have questions regarding this program, please contact dsu.hawk@dickinsonstate.edu or call 1-800-279-HAWK.

The Associate in Science in Elementary Education includes general education courses, courses from specific disciplines, professional education courses and elective courses. A grade of "C" or better is required in all communication, science, professional education, and elective courses graded on an "A" through "F" letter basis, and a grade of "S" is required in all professional education courses graded on an "A" through "F"  letter basis.

Degree Requirements:

  • General Education Courses
  • Professional Education Courses
  • Elective Courses

Degree available DSUlive

Student Learning Outcomes for the Teacher Education Program

The ten InTASC (Interstate Teacher Assessment and Support Consortium) standards comprise the program outcomes for the Teacher Education Program.  All coursework and experiences in the program are designed to enhance candidates' proficiency in the InTASC standards, which articulate the basic competencies that should be mastered by a beginning teacher.

Graduates of the Teacher Education Program will demonstrate knowledge, skills, and dispositions in these areas:

I. The Learner and Learning

InTASC Standard 1: Learner Development

The teacher understands how learners grow and develop, recognizing that patterns of learning and development vary individually within and across the cognitive, linguistic, social, emotional, and physical areas, and designs and implements developmentally appropriate and challenging learning experiences. (This learning outcome directly addresses Institutional Learning Outcomes I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, and X.)

InTASC Standard 2: Learning Differences

The teacher uses understanding of individual differences and diverse cultures and communities to ensure inclusive learning environments that enable each learner to meet high standards.  (This learning outcome directly addresses Institutional Learning Outcomes I, V, VI, IX, and X.)

InTASC Standard 3: Learning Environments

The teacher works with others to create environments that support individual and collaborative learning, and that encourage positive social interaction, active engagement in learning, and self-motivation. (This learning outcome directly addresses Institutional Learning Outcomes I, V, VI, and X.)

II. Content Knowledge

InTASC Standard 4: Content Knowledge

The teacher understands the central concepts, tools of inquiry, and structures of the discipline(s) that he or she teaches and creates learning experiences that make the discipline accessible and meaningful for learners to assure mastery of the content. (This learning outcome directly addresses Institutional Learning Outcomes II, III, IV, V, and VII.)

InTASC Standard 5: Application of Content

The teacher understands how to connect concepts and use differing perspectives to engage learners in critical thinking, creativity, and collaborative problem solving related to authentic local and global issues. (This learning outcome directly addresses Institutional Learning Outcomes II, IV, V, VI, and VII.)

III. Instructional Practice

InTASC Standard 6: Assessment

The teacher understands and uses multiple methods of assessment to engage learners in their own growth, to monitor learner progress, and to guide the teacher’s and learner’s decision making. (This learning outcome directly addresses Institutional Learning Outcomes IV, V, VI, and VII.)

InTASC Standard 7: Planning for Instruction

The teacher plans instruction that supports every student in meeting rigorous learning goals by drawing upon knowledge of content areas, curriculum, cross-disciplinary skills, and pedagogy, as well as knowledge of learners and the community context. (This learning outcome directly addresses Institutional Learning Outcomes I, II, III, IV, V and VI.)

InTASC Standard 8: Instructional Strategies

The teacher understands and uses a variety of instructional strategies to encourage learners to develop deep understanding of content areas and their connections, and to build skills to apply knowledge in meaningful ways. (This learning outcome directly addresses Institutional Learning Outcomes I, II, III, IV, V, VI, and X.)

IV. Professional Responsibility

InTASC Standard 9: Professional Learning and Ethical Practice 

The teacher engages in ongoing professional learning and uses evidence to continually evaluate his/her practice, particularly the effects of his/her choices and actions on others (learners, families, other professionals, and the community), and adapts practice to meet the needs of each learner. (This learning outcome directly addresses Institutional Learning Outcomes I, V, VI, and X.)

InTASC Standard 10: Leadership and Collaboration

The teacher seeks appropriate leadership roles and opportunities  to take responsibility for student learning; to collaborate with learners, families, colleagues, other school professionals, and community members to ensure learner growth, and to advance the profession. (This learning outcome directly addresses Institutional Learning Outcomes V, VI, and X.)

Students’ achievement of these program outcomes is assessed with multiple measures at points throughout the program. Program assessment tools specify indicators that are related to each outcome and that are aligned with the seven Institutional Learning Outcomes for Dickinson State University.

 

Career Options

Why should you pursue an Associate in Science Degree - Elementary Education Option?

The Associate in Science in elementary education program is beneficial for those who are working as paraprofessionals in the school district and parents who may want to gain some pedagogy for working with their own children. This program provides students with some content and pedagogy required of students in the bachelor’s program and transitions into the Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education.

Possible Career Paths

  • Paraprofessional
  • Child Care Worker
  • Tutor
  • Substitute Teacher

Requirements

General Education Requirements for the Associate in Science degree in Elementary Education

This degree is a transitional degree into the Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education. General education requirements are specific to meet the requirements of both degrees.

First Year Experience

UNIV 100Freshman Seminar

1

Communication


ENGL 110College Composition I

3

Or

ENGL 111HHonors Composition I

3

 

ENGL 120College Composition II

3

Or

ENGL 121HHonors Composition II

3

 

COMM 110Fundamentals Of Public Speaking

3

Or

COMM 111HHonors Public Speaking

3

Citizenship

CSCI 101Introduction To Computers

3

GEOG 161World Regional Geography

3

HPER 100Concepts of Fitness and Wellness

2

PSYC 111Introduction to Psychology

3

Critical and Creative Thinking

ART 122Two-Dimensional Design

3

BIOL 111Concepts of Biology

3

BIOL 111LConcepts of Biology Lab

1

MATH 103College Algebra

4

Select one course from the following:

HIST 103United States To 1877

3

HIST 104United States Since 1877

3

Select one course from the following:

ENGL 220Introduction to Literature

3

ENGL 240Masterpieces of World Literature

3

ENGL 260Masterpieces of American Literature

3

Select four credits from the following:

GEOL 100Earth Science

3

GEOL 100LEarth Science Laboratory

1

Or

SCNC 105Physical Science

3

SCNC 105LPhysical Science Lab

1

Education Core:

EDUC 250Introduction to Education

3

EDUC 280Education of Exceptional Learners

3

EDUC 300Teaching For Diversity

3

EDUC 360Managing the Learning Environment

3

EDUC 405Educational Psychology

2

ELED 238Children's Literature

3

ELED 281Foundations of Teaching Reading in the Elementary Classroom

3

PSYC 250Developmental Psychology

3

Students will choose 2-3 credits from the following:

EDUC 305Philosophy and Curriculum of Middle School

2

ENGL 382Adolescent Literature

3

MATH 277Mathematics for Elementary Teachers I

3

Total Credit Hours:67-68

Semester Sequence

First Semester

BIOL 111Concepts of Biology

3

BIOL 111LConcepts of Biology Lab

1

CSCI 101Introduction To Computers

3

ENGL 110College Composition I

3

PSYC 111Introduction to Psychology

3

MATH 103College Algebra

4

UNIV 100Freshman Seminar

1

Total Credit Hours:18

Second Semester

COMM 110Fundamentals Of Public Speaking

3

EDUC 250Introduction to Education

3

ENGL 120College Composition II

3

GEOG 161World Regional Geography

3

 

GEOL 100Earth Science

3

GEOL 100LEarth Science Laboratory

1

OR

SCNC 105Physical Science

3

SCNC 105LPhysical Science Lab

1

Total Credit Hours:16

Third Semester

ELED 281Foundations of Teaching Reading in the Elementary Classroom

3

EDUC 280Education of Exceptional Learners

3

EDUC 300Teaching For Diversity

3

PSYC 250Developmental Psychology

3

 

General Education Literature Course

3

Or

General Education Social Science Course

3

 

Education Elective

2-3

Total Credit Hours:17-18

Fourth Semester

ART 122Two-Dimensional Design

3

EDUC 360Managing the Learning Environment

3

EDUC 405Educational Psychology

2

ELED 238Children's Literature

3

HPER 100Concepts of Fitness and Wellness

2

 

General Education Literature Course

3

Or

General Education Social Science Course

3

Total Credit Hours:16

Must complete one of the following Literary Expressions and Social Science courses:

  • ENGL 220 - Introduction to Literature
  • ENGL 240 - Masterpieces of World Literature
  • ENGL 260 - Masterpieces of American Literature
  • HIST 103 - United States to 1877
  • HIST 104 - United States since 1877

Choose from one of the following Education Elective courses:

  • EDUC 305 - Philosophy & Curriculum of Middle School
  • ENGL 382 - Adolescent Literature
  • MATH 277 - Mathematics for Elementary Teachers