Early Childhood Education/Associate of Applied Science Degree (A.A.S.)
Mastery inEarly Childhood Education/Certificate
Early Childhood Special Education/Certificate
Early Childhood Education/Associate of Arts in Teaching Degree (A.A.T.)
Teaching (Elementary A.A.T.)/Associate of Arts in Teaching Degree (A.A.T.)
Teaching Chemistry (Secondary A.A.T.)/Associate of Arts in Teaching Degree (A.A.T.)
Teaching Mathematics (Secondary A.A.T.)/Associate of Arts in Teaching Degree (A.A.T.)
Teaching Physics (Secondary A.A.T.)/Associate of Arts in Teaching Degree (A.A.T.)
Teaching Spanish (Secondary A.A.T.)/Associate of Arts in Teaching Degree (A.A.T.)
The programs outlined on the following pages serve different purposes. The Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education and Secondary Teacher Education Programs prepare students to transfer to a college of education in Maryland. The Early Childhood Education (A.A.S.) Program pertains to teaching in and managing preschools in private early childhood centers and child care programs. Students preparing to enter the teaching profession should thoroughly review the information on pages 76-80. There are a number of career options presented to aspiring teachers that are influenced by state and county requirements and by the professional associations involved in teacher preparation. With the ongoing advice of a program coordinator or advisor, a student’s career goals should determine which of the college’s programs to follow. The college strongly recommends that no student in these programs make curriculum decisions without meeting with the Education Department staff. Furthermore, students who wish to become teachers of young children should not designate general studies as their curriculum choice.
Following are specific education career objectives and the related program of study:
- To become a staff member or director of a private school—Enroll in the Early Childhood Education (ECE) A.A.S. program.
- To obtain a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education to teach at the N-3 level in a public school—Follow the ECE A.A.T. degree or the ECE A.A.S. program. See the coordinator of the ECE program for advisement.
- To pursue a bachelor’s degree at a college of education in early childhood education, elementary education or secondary education—Enroll in ECE A.A.T. or Elementary A.A.T. or Secondary A.A.T. The Maryland State Department of Education issues the N-3 certification for early childhood and the 1-8 certification for elementary education. Secondary certification is for grades 7-12 and requires that students major in the subject they intend to teach. See the department chair for advisement.
State of Maryland Teacher Certification Requirements
Many baccalaureate teacher preparation programs require that students successfully complete the PRAXIS I test of basic skills assessment in math and reading as an entrance requirement into the programs. All teacher education students are required to complete the PRAXIS I test upon completion of 45 credit hours or prior to graduation.
The Maryland State Department of Education requires that students applying for initial teaching certification successfully complete the PRAXIS II test (subject and pedagogy assessment), which is usually taken near the end of the baccalaureate course work and student teaching.
There is also an alternative route to certification through the Resident Teacher Certification Program, which Prince George’s County Public Schools and Prince George’s Community College offer. The Resident Teacher Certification (RTC) is issued to applicants who have met the following qualifications:
- Hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with a concentration in a discipline appropriate to assignment in an elementary or secondary school curriculum.
- Receive a B average or better in courses related to the assignment.
- Submit qualifying scores on teacher certification tests—PRAXIS I and II.
- Additional hours of study will be specified by the respective school system.
State of Maryland certification requirements through credit-count specify that prospective and provisionally certified teachers must complete 18 semester hours of course work in the professional category from an institution of higher education with at least one course in each of the following at the appropriate age or grade level of the certificate:
- Child or adolescent development
- Human learning
- Teaching methodology
- Inclusion of diverse student populations
- Assessment of students
The following courses are applicable to In-Service Teacher Education and Certification in Maryland:
EDU 203 Introduction to Special Education (elementary and secondary)
EDU 205 Assessment of Students (elementary and secondary)
EDU 210 Processes and Acquisition of Reading (elementary only)
EDU 211 Instruction of Reading (elementary only)
EDU 212 Assessment of Reading (elementary only)
EDU 213 Materials for Teaching Reading (elementary only)
EDU 214 Teaching Reading in the Content Areas: Part I (secondary only)
EDU 215 Teaching Reading in the Content Areas: Part II (secondary only)
EDU 220 Special Education Methods: Birth—12th Grade (Generic Special Education, all levels)
EDU 221 Special Education Methods: Birth—6th Grade (Generic Special Education, elementary only)
EDU 222 Special Education Methods: Grade 6—Age 21 (Generic Special Education, secondary only)
EDU 223 Special Education Assessment Part I: Birth—12th Grade (Generic Special Education, all levels)
EDU 224 Special Education Assessment Part II: Birth—12th Grade (Generic SpecialEducation, all levels)
EDU 240 Elementary Methods (elementary only)
EDU 250 Secondary Methods (secondary only)
PSY 203 Child Psychology (elementary only)
PSY 204 Adolescent Psychology (secondary only)
PSY 206 Educational Psychology (elementary and secondary)
In addition to professional category, teachers may need additional credits in some content area. These courses can be selected from the numerous offerings at PGCC.
Completion of certification through credit-count needs to be completed by 2009 when the option is discontinued.
Degrees & Certificates:
Early Childhood Education Code 763
Associate of Applied Science Degree (A.A.S.)
The Early Childhood Education Program (A.A.S. degree) provides the educational background to teach preschool children in private early childhood centers and direct early childhood centers. The program introduces students to child development theories, current early childhood education issues, the exceptional child, assessment skills, developmentally-appropriate curricula, management and language skills. For more information about the Early Childhood Education Program, call 301-322-0525.
| Program Concentration 36 Credits |
| ECE 151 Child Growth and Development |
3
|
| ECE 154 Observing and Recording Child Behavior |
3
|
| ECE 156 Introduction to Early Childhood Special Education |
3
|
| ECE 170 Multicultural Education in the Preschool Classroom** |
3
|
| ECE 191 Early Childhood ProgramManagement |
3
|
|
ECE 251 Language Arts in Early Childhood Education
or
EDU 210 Processes and Acquisition of Reading
|
3
|
| ECE 254 Fieldwork in Early Childhood Education |
6
|
| or |
|
| ECE 220 Internship in Special Education I |
3
|
| and |
|
| ECE 221 Internship in Special Education II |
3
|
| ECE 257 Curriculum Development in Early Childhood Education |
3
|
| ECE 105 Principles and Practices in Early Childhood Education |
3
|
|
Early Childhood electives
Choose from the following:
ECE 165, EDU 260, PSY 203
ECE 259, EGL 223, PSY 206
ECE 260
|
6
|
| |
| Required General Education Courses 27-29 Credits |
| English Composition I and II* |
6
|
| EGL 101 and EGL 102 |
|
| Humanities* |
6
|
|
SPH 101 or SPH 109 and one of the following:
ART 101, ART 273, MUS 101, PHL 101, THE 101, or any foreign language course
|
| Mathematics* |
3-4
|
| MAT 105 recommended |
|
| Science* |
3-4
|
| BIO 101 recommended |
|
| Social Sciences* |
3
|
| PSY 101 |
|
| Computer Literacy* |
3
|
| ECE 281 recommended |
|
| Health/Physical Education |
3
|
| HLE 215 |
|
Minimum Required for A.A.S. Degree 63 Credits
Mastery in Early Childhood Education Code 764
Certificate
| ECE 151 Child Growth and Development |
3
|
| ECE 154 Observing and Recording Child Behavior |
3
|
| ECE 156 Introduction to Early Childhood Special Education |
3
|
| ECE 251 Language Arts in Early Childhood Education |
3
|
| ECE 254 Fieldwork in Early Childhood Education |
6
|
| or |
|
| ECE 220 Internship in Special Education I |
3
|
| and |
|
| ECE 221 Internship in Special Education II |
3
|
| ECE 257 Curriculum Development in Early Childhood Education |
3
|
| ECE 170 Multicultural Education in the Preschool Classroom |
3
|
| ECE 105 Principles and Practices in Early Childhood Education |
3
|
| HLE 215 Introduction to Child Health |
3
|
Total Required for Certificate 30 Credits
Early Childhood Special Education Code 765
Certificate
| ECE 151 Child Growth and Development |
3
|
| ECE 156 Introduction to Early Childhood Special Education |
3
|
| ECE 220 Internship in Special Education I |
3
|
| ECE 221 Internship in Special Education II |
3
|
Total Required for Certificate 12 Credits
Early Childhood Education Code 121
Associate of Arts in Teaching Degree (A.A.T.)
| Program Concentration 21 Credits |
| ECE 105 Principles and Practices in Early Childhood Education |
3
|
| ECE 151 Child Growth and Development |
3
|
| ECE 156 Introduction to Early Childhood Special Education |
3
|
| ECE 170 Multicultural Education in the Preschool Classroom |
3
|
| ECE 257 Curriculum Development in Early Childhood Education |
3
|
| ECE 262 Fieldwork in Early Childhood Education |
3
|
| EDU 210 Process and Acquisition of Reading |
3
|
| |
| Required General Education Courses 45 Credits |
English*
EGL 101 Composition I
EGL 102 Composition II |
9
|
| EGL 223 Children’s Literature |
|
| Humanities* |
3
|
| ART 273 Integrated Arts |
|
Mathematics*
MAT 105 Elements of Mathematics
MAT 106 Elements of Geometry and Logic
MAT 116 Elements of Probability and Statistics |
12
|
|
Science*
BIO 101 General Biology
PSC 120 Exploring Chemistry and Physics Concepts
PSC 121 Exploring Earth and Space Science Concepts
|
12
|
|
Social Sciences*
HST 141 History of the United States I
GEO 101 Physical Geography
PSY 101 General Psychology
|
9
|
Minimum Required for A.A.T. Degree 66 Credits
(Note: 2.75 GPA, 45 hours of supervised field experience, beginning teacher portfolio, and passing grade on PRAXIS I exam are required. Students may be required to take additional special education courses as part of the requirements for a baccalaureate degree and teacher certification at four-year institutions.)
Teaching (Elementary A.A.T.) Code 115
Associate of Arts in Teaching Degree (A.A.T.)
| Program Concentration 18 Credits |
| EDU 200 Foundations of Education |
3
|
| EDU 233 Field Experience for Foundations of Education |
1
|
| EDU 203 Introduction to Special Education |
3
|
| EDU 234 Field Experience for Special Education |
1
|
| EDU 235 Field Experience for Educational Psychology |
1
|
| EDU 210 Processes and Acquisition of Reading |
3
|
| PSY 203 Child Psychology |
3
|
| PSY 206 Educational Psychology |
3
|
| |
| Required General Education Courses 48 Credits |
| English Composition I and II* |
6
|
| Humanities* |
6
|
| ART 273 Integrated Arts* |
|
| SPH 109 Interpersonal Communication** |
|
|
Mathematics*
MAT 105 Elements of Mathematics
MAT 106 Elements of Geometry and Logic
MAT 116 Elements of Probability and Statistics
|
12
|
|
Science*
BIO 101 General Biology
PSC 120 Exploring Chemistry and Physics Concepts
PSC 121 Exploring Earth and Space Science Concepts
|
12
|
|
Social Sciences*
HST 141 History of the United States I
POS 101 American National Government
PSY 101 General Psychology
|
9
|
| Health/Physical Education |
3
|
| HLE 230 Integrated Health and Physical Education |
|
Minimum Required for A.A.T. Degree 66 Credits
(Note: 2.75 GPA and passing grade on PRAXIS I exam are required. Students may be required to take additional special education courses as part of the requirements for a baccalaureate degree and teacher certification at four-year institutions.)
Teaching Chemistry (Secondary A.A.T.) Code 117
Associate of Arts in Teaching Degree (A.A.T.)
|
Program Concentration 33-34 Credits
|
|
CHM 101 General Chemistry I*
|
4
|
|
CHM 102 General Chemistry II*
|
3
|
|
CHM 103 General Chemistry II Laboratory
|
2
|
|
CHM 201 Organic Chemistry I
|
4
|
|
CHM 202 Organic Chemistry II
|
3
|
|
CHM 204 Organic Chemistry II Laboratory
|
2
|
|
MAT 241 Calculus I for Science and Engineering*
|
4
|
|
MAT 242 Calculus II for Science and Engineering
|
4
|
|
PHY 103 General Physics I
|
3
|
|
PHY 203 General Physics II
|
4
|
|
(Two semesters of calculus-based physics will transfer to all institutions offering chemistry and secondary teacher certification.)
|
|
or
|
|
|
PHY 101 Introductory Physics I
|
4
|
|
PHY 102 Introductory Physics II
|
4
|
|
(Two semesters of algebra-based physics will transfer to Towson University, Hood College, Columbia Union College, Goucher College, or Frostburg State University)
|
| |
| Pre-Professional Courses 15 Credits |
| EDU 200 Foundations of Education |
3
|
| EDU 233 Field Experience for Foundations of Education |
1
|
| EDU 203 Introduction to Special Education |
3
|
| EDU 234 Field Experience for Special Education |
1
|
| PSY 206 Educational Psychology |
3
|
| EDU 235 Field Experience for Educational Psychology |
1
|
| PSY 204 Adolescent Psychology |
3
|
| |
| Required General Education Courses 15 Credits |
|
English*
EGL 101 Composition I
EGL 102 Composition II
|
6
|
|
Humanities*
ART 273 Integrated Arts
SPH 109 Interpersonal Communication
|
6
|
|
Social Sciences*
PSY 101 General Psychology
|
3
|
Minimum Required for A.A.T. Degree 63 Credits
(Note: 2.75 GPA and passing grade on PRAXIS I exam are required. Students may be required to take additional special education courses as part of the requirements for a baccalaureate degree and teacher certification at four-year institutions.)
Teaching Mathematics (Secondary A.A.T.) Code 119
Associate of Arts in Teaching Degree (A.A.T.)
| Program Concentration 23-24 Credits |
| MAT 241 Calculus for Science and Engineering |
4
|
| MAT 242 Calculus II for Science and Engineering |
4
|
| MAT 243 Calculus III for Science and Engineering |
4
|
| MAT 245 Linear Algebra |
4
|
| PHY 103 General Physics I |
3
|
| PHY 203 General Physics II |
4
|
| (For students who wish to transfer to Bowie State University, Coppin State College, Morgan State University, Towson University, UMBC, or UMES, two courses in calculus-based physics or general chemistry are required. All colleges will accept these two courses.) |
| or |
|
| PHY 101 Introductory Physics I |
4
|
| PHY 102 Introductory Physics II |
4
|
| (For students who wish to transfer to Frostburg State University, Hood College, College of Notre Dame, Mount St. Mary’s College, UMCP, or Washington College, two courses in algebra-based physics or general chemistry are acceptable.) |
| or |
|
| CHM 101 General Chemistry I* |
4
|
| CHM 102 General Chemistry II* |
3
|
| |
| Pre-Professional Courses 15 Credits |
| EDU 200 Foundations of Education |
3
|
| EDU 233 Field Experience for Foundations of Education |
1
|
| EDU 203 Introduction to Special Education |
3
|
| EDU 234 Field Experience for Special Education |
1
|
| PSY 206 Educational Psychology |
3
|
| EDU 235 Field Experience for Educational Psychology |
1
|
| PSY 204 Adolescent Psychology |
3
|
| |
| Required General Education Courses 24 Credits |
|
English*
EGL 101 Composition I
EGL 102 Composition II
|
6
|
Humanities*
ART 273 Integrated Arts
SPH 109 Interpersonal Communication
1 elective (PHL 101 or PHL 109 recommended) |
9
|
|
Social Sciences*
PSY101 General Psychology
One history course from the general education list
One nonhistory course from the general education list
|
9
|
Minimum Required for the A.A.T. Degree 62 Credits
(Note: 2.75 GPA and passing grade on PRAXIS I exam are required. Students may be required to take additional special education courses as part of the requirements for a baccalaureate degree and teacher certification at four-year institutions.)
Teaching Physics (Secondary A.A.T.) Code 118
Associate of Arts in Teaching Degree (A.A.T.)
|
Program Concentration 27 Credits
|
| PHY 103 General Physics I* |
3
|
| PHY 203 General Physics II* |
4
|
| PHY 204 General Physics III |
4
|
| MAT 241 Calculus for Science and Engineering* |
4
|
| MAT 242 Calculus II for Science and Engineering |
4
|
| MAT 246 Differential Equations |
4
|
| CHM 101 General Chemistry |
4
|
| BIO 101 General Biology |
4
|
| |
|
Pre-Professional Courses 15 Credits
|
|
EDU 200 Foundations of Education
|
3
|
|
EDU 233 Field Experience for Foundations of Education
|
1
|
|
EDU 203 Introduction to Special Education
|
3
|
| EDU 234 Field Experience for Special Education |
1
|
| PSY 206 Educational Psychology |
3
|
| EDU 235 Field Experience for Educational Psychology |
1
|
| PSY 204 Adolescent Psychology |
3
|
| |
| Required General Education Courses 21 Credits |
|
English*
EGL 101 Composition I
EGL 102 Composition II
|
6
|
|
Humanities*
ART 273 Integrated Arts
SPH 109 Interpersonal Communication
|
6
|
Social Sciences*
PSY 101 General Psychology
One history course from the general education list
One nonhistory course from the general education list |
9
|
Minimum Required for A.A.T. Degree 63 Credits
(Note: 2.75 GPA and passing grade on PRAXIS I exam are required. Students may be required to take additional special education courses as part of the requirements for a baccalaureate degree and teacher certification at four-year institutions.)
Teaching Spanish (Secondary A.A.T.) Code 120
Associate of Arts in Teaching Degree (A.A.T.)
| Program Concentration 12 Credits |
|
SPN 102 Spanish for Advanced Beginners
(SPN 101 pre-requisite)
|
3
|
| SPN 201 Intermediate Spanish I |
3
|
| SPN 202 Intermediate Spanish II |
3
|
| SPN 204 Advanced Conversation |
3
|
|
|
| Pre-Professional Courses 15 Credits |
| EDU 200 Foundations of Education |
3
|
| EDU 233 Field Experience–Foundations of Education |
1
|
| EDU 203 Introduction to Special Education |
3
|
| EDU 234 Field Experience–Special Education |
1
|
| PSY 206 Educational Psychology |
3
|
| EDU 235 Field Experience–Educational Psychology |
1
|
| PSY 204 Adolescent Psychology |
3
|
|
|
| Required General Education Courses 34 Credits |
|
English*
EGL 101 Composition I
EGL 102 Composition II
|
6
|
Humanities*
ART 273 Integrated Arts
SPH 109 Interpersonal Communication |
9
|
| 1 elective from approved list (SPN 101 if needed) |
|
|
Mathematics*
MAT 112 or higher
|
3
|
|
Science*
Two courses, one of which has a laboratory component
|
7
|
Social Sciences*
PSY 101 General Psychology
One history course from general education list
One nonhistory course from the general education list |
9
|
Minimum Required for A.A.T. Degree 61 Credits
(Note: 2.75 GPA and passing grade on PRAXIS I exam are required. Students may be required to take additional special education courses as part of the requirements for a baccalaureate degree and teacher certification at four-year institutions.)