The pathway below represents an efficient and effective course taking sequence for this program. Individual circumstances might require some changes to this pathway. It is always recommended that you meet with an academic counselor to develop a personalized educational plan.
The courses have been intentionally placed and should be prioritized in the order in which they appear. If you are unable to take all the courses in a semester, you should prioritize enrolling in the courses in the order below. Some courses have been noted as “Appropriate for Intersession” . Should you need (or want) to take classes in the summer and/or winter intersessions, the program recommends these courses as appropriate for the condensed schedule of the intersessions.
Some pathways combine a “Certificate of Achievement” and an “Associate Degree”. If you are pursuing only the Certificate of Achievement, you are only required to take the courses marked “Program Requirement” .
All pathways include at least one “Gateway Course” which introduces you to the program and/or field of study and helps you decide if you want to continue with this Academic and Career Path.
Most Associate degrees (though not Associate Degrees for Transfer) require satisfying the SMC Global Citizenship requirement. If the Program Requirements do not include a “Global Citizenship course” , be sure to select a General Education course that also satisfies Global Citizenship.
Effective Fall 2023
The Associate in Arts in Elementary Teacher Education for Transfer is intended for students who plan to transfer and complete a Liberal Studies degree and / or a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential to prepare them for elementary school teaching. Successful completion of the AA-T in Elementary Teacher Education satisfies lower- division preparation for a degree in Liberal Studies.
The Associate in Arts in Elementary Teacher Education is geared towards students who plan to transfer to a bachelor's degree in Integrated Teacher Education, Liberal Studies or a similar major.
Students who seek to become teachers in primary, secondary, bilingual, or special education will find this as one possible pathway. This pathway focuses on building the knowledge, skills, and hopefully the disposition that prepare professionals to work with children grades TK to twelve.
In this program, students will learn how to promote healthy development and learning in individually, culturally, and linguistically responsive ways.
Students must complete the following Associate Degree for Transfer requirements:
- Completion of 60 semester units or 90 quarter units of degree-applicable courses,
- Minimum overall grade point average of 2.0,
- Minimum grade of “C” (or “P”) for each course in the major, and
- Completion of IGETC and/or CSU GE-Breadth.
NOTE: Students who plan to transfer to CSU or UC must take an approved math course in CSUGE Area B4 or IGETC Area 2 to meet GE, Associate Degree for Transfer and admission requirement in math.
Upon completion of the program, students will:
- Upon completion, students will be able to analyze models and methods of effective teaching, especially in relation to the needs of a diverse student body. Students will be able to describe the concepts and issues related to teaching diverse learners in today's contemporary schools. Students will demonstrate introductory subject matter competency for the Multiple Subject California Subject Examination for Teacher (CSET) Students will be able to evaluate elements of diversity and diverse learning styles in student populations and analyze how teachers and schools can promote learning for all students.
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Gateway Course
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Program Requirement
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General Education
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Appropriate for Intersession
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Available Online
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Global Citizenship
Semester 1
15 Units
This introductory course in rhetoric emphasizes clear, effective written communication and preparation of the research paper.
- Prerequisite: ENGL 21B or
- Prerequisite: ENGL 22
- Prerequisite: ESL 19B or
- Prerequisite: Group A on the Placement Test
- 1A: English Composition
- A2 - Written Communication
- Area IV-A: Language and Rationality (Group A)
This course will examine the major developmental milestones for children, both typically and atypically developing, from conception through adolescence in the areas of physical, psychosocial, and cognitive development. Emphasis will be on interactions between maturational and environmental factors within a culturally sensitive framework. While studying developmental theory and investigative research methodologies, students will observe children, evaluate individual differences and analyze characteristics of development at various stages.
- Skills Advisory: Eligibility for English 1
- 4I: Psychology
- D9 - Psychology
- E - Lifelong Understanding and Self-Development
- Area II-B: Social Science (Group B)
This course introduces students to the concepts and issues related to teaching diverse learners in elementary school classrooms. Topics include teaching as a profession and career, historical and philosophical foundations of the American education system, contemporary educational issues, California's content standards and frameworks, and teacher performance standards. In addition to class time, the course requires a minimum of 45 hours of structured fieldwork in public school elementary classrooms that represent California's diverse student population, and includes cooperation with at least one carefully selected and campus-approved certificated classroom teacher.
- Skills Advisory: ENGL 1
This course is designed for pre-service elementary school teachers. The course examines several content areas: numeration systems (historical development of numeration system, Hindu-Arabic numeration system, and place value systems); integers (structure, basic properties and computational algorithms); basic number theory (divisibility, primes and composites, prime factorization, Fundamental Theorem of Arithmetic, greatest common divisor, least common multiple); rational numbers (structure and properties, ratio and proportions); real numbers (structure and basic properties, arithmetic operations, rational and irrational numbers, decimal representation, number line representation); problem solving (patterns, connections, modeling, reasoning and representations, strategies, inductive and deductive reasoning); and national and state curriculum standards for elementary school math including Common Core State Standards.
- Prerequisite: MATH 20
- Area IV-B: Language and Rationality (Group B) Option 1
This course provides an exploration of intellectual, psychological, social and physical factors that impact lifelong learning, well-being and success. Topics include motivation and self-efficacy; critical thinking, academic integrity and active study strategies; health issues and lifestyle choices; relating to others as a global citizen; written and oral communication; time management; career exploration; and educational planning.
- E - Lifelong Understanding and Self-Development
Semester 2
16-18 Units
This course focuses specifically on Children's Literature, including the value of children’s books to child psychology and development, and the historical construction of childhood. It introduces representative works from major genres, develops students’ close reading and analytical writing skills, and promotes appreciation and critical understanding of the cultural, historical, and aesthetic qualities of literature.
- Prerequisite: ENGL 1
- 3B: Humanities
- C2 - Humanities
- Area III: Humanities
This is a course in public speaking for students learning to prepare and deliver platform speeches. Assignments include speeches of description, exposition, and persuasion. Techniques for controlling tension, building self-confidence, and effective listening are emphasized.
- 1C: Oral Communication
- A1 - Oral Communication
This general biology course is for transfer students who are not biology majors. Topics include basic molecular and cellular biology, genetics, the anatomy and physiology of plants, animals and humans, the diversity of life, evolution, and ecology. Current environmental issues and new developments in biological science are discussed. Laboratory experiences are integrated and stress scientific methodology and thinking. *Credit is allowed for one course from either Biology 3, 4, Botany 1. No UC credit given for Biology 3 if taken after Biology 21, 22 or 23.
- Skills Advisory: Eligibility for English 1
- 5B: Biological Science
- 5C: Physical or Biological Science LABORATORY
- B2 - Life Science
- B3 - Laboratory Sciences
- Area I: Natural Science
MATH 21, 54, or ACCTG 45/BUS 45 recommended
See the full list: CSU GE Area F Course
This course surveys the United States from the colonial period through post-Civil War Reconstruction, addressing developments in American culture; ethnic, racial, gender, and class relations; politics; and the economy. It also considers American interaction with other nations, including both foreign policy and the relationship of domestic developments to the larger history of the modern world.
- Advisory: Eligibility for English 1
- 3B: Humanities
- 4F: History
- C2 - Humanities
- D6 - History
- US1
- Area II-A: Social Science (Group A)
- Area II-B: Social Science (Group B)
- Area III: Humanities
Semester 3
14 Units
This course fulfills the general education requirements for a laboratory science course. Students who successfully complete this course will understand basic chemical principles and how these principles relate to the Earth's natural systems and cycles, with emphasis on humanity's impact on Earth's natural environments. Students will gain a scientific understanding of the impact of human activity on natural systems and sustainability. Students will also learn common laboratory techniques, including the safe handling of chemicals and the proper use of laboratory equipment, as they analyze environmental problems and solutions. Course Note: This course does not fulfill the prerequisite for Chemistry 11.
- Advisory: eligibility for Math 31
- 5A: Physical Science
- 5C: Physical or Biological Science LABORATORY
- B1 - Physical Science
- B3 - Laboratory Sciences
- Area I: Natural Science
- Area V: Global Citizenship
This course helps students to develop their critical thinking and writing skills beyond the level achieved in English 1. The course emphasizes the application of logical reasoning, analysis, and strategies of argumentation in critical thinking and writing, using literature (both fiction and non-fiction) and literary criticism as subject matter.
- Prerequisite: ENGL 1
- 1B: Critical Thinking-English Composition
- 3B: Humanities
- A3 - Critical Thinking
- C2 - Humanities
- Area III: Humanities
This course introduces Global Studies through a survey of the world’s major geographic regions. Students will encounter core concepts related to processes of global connection and change, while also developing basic geographic literacy in the distribution of human and natural features on Earth. Students will examine and discuss significant issues–cultural, social, political-economic, and environmental–impacting humanity today as both problem and possibility. In particular, this course considers the diverse localized impacts of globalization as a continuing story of peoples and places isolated and connected by imperial, colonial, and international systems of the past and present.
- 4E: Geography
- D5 - Geography
- Area II-B: Social Science (Group B)
- Area V: Global Citizenship
This course surveys world history from the rise of humanity to 1500, addressing human impact on the physical environment, the domestication of plants and animals, and the establishment of complex cultures. A thematic and chronological approach is used to examine the major civilizations of Africa, Asia, the Middle East, the Americas, and Europe in terms of their political, social, economic, intellectual, and cultural development and their inter-regional relations.
- Advisory: Eligibility for English 1
- 3B: Humanities
- C2 - Humanities
- D2 - Economics
- D3 - Ethnic Studies
- D4 - Gender Studies
- D5 - Geography
- D6 - History
- D7 - Interdisciplinary Social and Behavioral Science
- Area II-B: Social Science (Group B)
- Area III: Humanities
Semester 4
15-17 Units
This course presents an introduction to geologic processes that have shaped the Earth. Lecture topics include formation of the Earth, plate tectonics, rocks, minerals, earthquakes, geologic structures, geologic time, coastal processes, and groundwater. Laboratory exercises expand this information by dealing with rock and mineral identification, topographic and geologic map interpretation, and the interpretation aerial photographs. Upon completion of this course, the student will have a good understanding of the processes that form major features on Earth.
- 5A: Physical Science
- 5C: Physical or Biological Science LABORATORY
- B1 - Physical Science
- B3 - Laboratory Sciences
- Area I: Natural Science
This course is similar to Physics 12 in content and difficulty level, but with a laboratory session added to enhance the learning experience. Physics 14 is designed for the student who is interested in a more conceptual and less mathematical approach to physics. It is a one semester survey course introducing the topics of mechanics, heat, sound, electricity and magnetism, light and modern physics. The emphasis will be on developing conceptual understanding of the laws of nature through hands-on experiences, laboratory experiments, and computer interactions, in addition to lectures and demonstrations. Maximum credit for Physics 12 and 14 combined is 4 units. High school math recommended.
- 5A: Physical Science
- 5C: Physical or Biological Science LABORATORY
- B1 - Physical Science
- B3 - Laboratory Sciences
- Area I: Natural Science
This course surveys and analyzes the principles, institutions, policies, and politics of U.S. National and California State Governments. Students will use course concepts to situate themselves as citizens and political agents.
- Skills Advisory: Eligibility for English 1
- 4H: Political Science, Government & Legal Institutions
- D8 - Political Science, Government, and Legal Institutions
- US2
- US3
Transferable Elective Course 1-3 units
Program Electives
30 Units
A survey of the chronological development of Western art from the Stone Age to the Gothic Period with emphasis on the cultural, political, and social factors that influenced this evolution. This includes: Near-Eastern, Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Byzantine, Romanesque and Gothic art and architecture.
- Skills Advisory: Eligibility for English 1
- 3A: Arts
- C1 - Arts, Dance, Music, Theater
- Area III: Humanities
This course is a survey of the chronological development of Western art from the Renaissance to the contemporary with emphasis on the cultural, political, and social factors that influenced this evolution. This includes: Italian and Northern Renaissance,Mannerism, 15th Century Flemish, Baroque, Rococo, Neoclassicism, Romanticism, Realism, impressionism and Post Impressionism and the major movements of the 20th century. painting.
- Skills Advisory: Eligibility for English 1
- 3A: Arts
- C1 - Arts, Dance, Music, Theater
- Area III: Humanities
- Area V: Global Citizenship
An introduction to artistic practices by exploring the myriad manifestations of visual culture in our world through a cross-cultural thematic approach. This course examines themes in art like Religion, Power, Reproduction and Sexuality, and traces them across cultures and time periods. Emphasis will be placed on learning the language of visual culture both in terms of the formal elements of design as well as the content of style and subject matter and finding connections and differences. Students will explore the various media of art from drawing, sculpture, fresco, oil, photography, motion pictures, architecture to contemporary advertising and design and investigate how various cultures have used specific media and themes. This course is designed to introduce Fine Art and Art History simultaneously providing a unique opportunity to explore these fields as well as to prepare students for a course of study in Fine Art and Art History.
- Skills Advisory: Eligibility for English 1
- 3A: Arts
- C1 - Arts, Dance, Music, Theater
- Area III: Humanities
- Area V: Global Citizenship
This course is a survey of the chronological development of Asian art from earliest times to modern times with emphasis on the cultural, political, and social factors which influenced this evolution. The course includes the art of India, China, Japan, Korea, Thailand, Cambodia, and Indonesia.
- Skills Advisory: Eligibility for English 1
- 3A: Arts
- C1 - Arts, Dance, Music, Theater
- Area III: Humanities
Dance 5 offers an overview of dance in historical, cultural, political, and social contexts. This course covers the historical development of dance as a performing art through the periods of history from the pre-historic era through the 21st Century. This class investigates the origin, tradition, and development of theatrical dance styles, including ballet, modern, postmodern, jazz, tap, hip-hop, world dance forms and contemporary. Examining dance as a performing art as well as a medium of social, cultural, and individual expression is emphasized through the comprehensive study of dance works and dance artists.
- Skills Advisory: ENGL 1
- 3A: Arts
- C1 - Arts, Dance, Music, Theater
- Area III: Humanities
This course is a survey of music in Western Civilization from Antiquity through Baroque (approximately 800 BC to 1750 AD). Emphasis is placed upon the principal composers and their works related to the history and philosophy of each stylistic period and interrelationships with the arts and humanities in general. The stylistic periods covered include Greco-Roman, Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque. The course is designed for the music student, but open to all.
- Skills Advisory: Eligibility for English 1
- 3A: Arts
- C1 - Arts, Dance, Music, Theater
- Area III: Humanities
This course is a survey of music in Western Civilization from the Rococo Period (about 1720) to the present. Emphasis is placed upon the principal composers and their works related to the history and philosophy of each stylistic period and interrelationships with the arts and humanities in general. The stylistic periods covered include Rococo, Classical, Romantic, Impressionist, and the diverse directions of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. The course is designed for the music major but open to all.
- Skills Advisory: Eligibility for English 1
- 3A: Arts
- C1 - Arts, Dance, Music, Theater
- Area III: Humanities
This course is designed for the non-major. It utilizes a broad approach to musical literature, primarily of the sixteenth through twenty-first centuries, and its place in the cultural development of Western Civilization. It provides the tools for a basic understanding of music, an awareness of the primary musical styles, comprehension of the building blocks of music, and the development of an attentive style of listening.
- Skills Advisory: Eligibility for English 1
- 3A: Arts
- C1 - Arts, Dance, Music, Theater
- Area III: Humanities
This course provides the student with a general knowledge of theatre and its influence on modern society. Historical growth, basic vocabulary, skills, and crafts of theatre are emphasized. Attendance of theatre productions for which students must purchase tickets is required.
- 3A: Arts
- C1 - Arts, Dance, Music, Theater
- Area III: Humanities
This course covers the history of theatre and dramatic literature with emphasis on the relationship of the theatre to cultural development. Attendance of theatre productions for which students must purchase tickets is required.
- Skills Advisory: ENGL 1
- 3A: Arts
- C1 - Arts, Dance, Music, Theater
- Area III: Humanities