Associate in Arts, Liberal Arts and Sciences

Bedford Campus and Lowell Campus - Day and Evening

Program Description:

The Elementary Education Transfer Degree program is designed to prepare students to transfer into a bachelor’s degree program leading to elementary or secondary (K-12) teacher licensure through the MA Department of Elementary or Secondary Education (DESE). Graduates of the Elementary Education program transfer to a four-year institution to continue their studies toward bachelor’s and then master’s degrees as required for MA DESE licensure.

• View the Academic Map for this program

Career and Transfer Outlook:

This program qualifies for MassTransfer, which guarantees credit transfer to Massachusetts state universities and the University of Massachusetts. Academic advisors and transfer counselors work closely with students to plan course selections in accordance with their intended bachelor’s degree major and transfer institution. Many graduates choose to further their education toward a bachelor’s degree through one of MCC’s partner universities.  Students should meet with an academic advisor to ensure course sequencing and transferability.

Helpful Hints:

• Students need to apply for teacher licensure directly through MA DESE. More information about teacher certification can be found on DESE’s website.
• Eligibility or successful completion of English Composition I (ENG 101) is a prerequisite for all program courses.
• Additional coursework may be required based on college placement testing.

Program Outcomes:

Graduates of the Elementary Education Transfer Concentration program will achieve the learning outcomes of the Liberal Arts and Sciences degree . Additionally, graduates are prepared to:

• Demonstrate knowledge of the core competencies in child and school-age development;
• Communicate skills in research, professional development and family involvement in children’s education;
• Analyze the various approaches of curriculum design to address the diverse needs of children;
• Evaluate resources and services for children with or without special needs;
• Identify the historical and theoretical foundations of education;
• Examine and understand the issues facing schools in today’s diverse society, including socioeconomic distinctions, gender, race, ethnicity, special education and the changing standards for future educators;
• Demonstrate knowledge of the theory and research relevant to the professional role(s) and focus area(s) emphasized in the program;
• Demonstrate competency in core content knowledge for second major in Liberal Arts & Science courses;
• Apply knowledge acquired in the program as a foundation for continued study.

Note: In order for a student to be eligible to participate in an academic, community or clinical program that involves potential unsupervised contact with children, the disabled, the elderly, or other vulnerable populations, the student may be required to undergo a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) check and/or a Sex Offender Registry Information (SORI) check .

Special Requirements for Early Childhood and Elementary Education Students Liberal Arts & Sciences Courses: In addition to meeting their early childhood or elementary education degree and core content knowledge area course requirements, students will be required to select a second major in Liberal Arts & Sciences. To prepare them for upper-level coursework in their major after transfer, students should complete 9 to 15 credits in the Liberal Arts & Sciences area of their choice at MCC. Additional coursework may be required based on college placement testing. Students are urged to meet with their academic advisor for proper course sequencing. Rationale for Recommendations: To be licensed as a public early childhood or elementary education school teacher in Massachusetts, the State Department of Education requires that students complete courses in several core content knowledge areas. Competency in all the areas must be demonstrated on the General Curriculum Test of the Massachusetts Test for Educator Licensure (MTEL). Students are encouraged to complete courses in these areas prior to transfer. The Middlesex courses listed on the Early Childhood Education Transfer and Elementary Education Transfer program pages meet the core content knowledge area requirements.

**Recommended General Education and Free electives: Humanities Electives: ART 101, ART 105, MUS 101, MUS 102, PHL 101 Math Electives: MAT 165, MAT 177, MAT 182, MAT 195, MAT 250, MAT 270, MAT 271, MAT 290, MAT 291 Science Electives: any 3- or 4-credit Science course Social Science Electives: ECO 140, ECO 150, HST 124, GOV 110, GOV 120 (Note: If not selected as History/Social Science requirements, students may also select HST 130, HST 131.) or other courses as recommended by the student’s academic advisor to prepare the student for a Liberal Arts & Sciences major after transfer. (Note: Students are required to complete a minimum of 9 to 15 credits in a Liberal Arts & Sciences area before transfer.)