Social Sciences: Teacher Education Specialization, A.S.

Location(s): AL, AN, LO, MA, NOL, WO

CIP Code: 45.0101

NOVA Code: 8822

Purpose: This curriculum prepares students to transfer to a four-year college or university teacher preparation program. It is specifically designed for students who plan to seek endorsement and licensure as teachers in PK-3, PK-6, middle school, or special education.

This degree program is designed to help students earn all of the required endorsement course hours for a teaching license in elementary education for the state of Virginia. In addition, this degree program includes many of the required endorsement courses for licensure in middle school (any subject) and high school history and social sciences. Some of these universities will guarantee admission to graduates of this program who have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5, earn at least a “C” in all English courses. Students are strongly encouraged to take the VCLA exam shortly after completing their 200-level English course. Students may want to take the Praxis CORE math exam after completing 9-12 hours of mathematics. The student, working directly with a NOVA Teacher Education Specialization advisor/counselor, should complete a transfer letter of agreement.

Two Years

1st Semester

Total 14 credits

2nd Semester

Total 16 credits

3rd Semester

Total 15 credits

4th Semester

Total 15 credits

Total credits for the A.S. Degree in Social Sciences with a Specialization in Teacher Education: 60 credits

1 MTH 154 or MTH 161 are preferred to meet the algebra requirement for elementary licensure in Virginia. Students should make choices after consulting with the Teacher Education Specialization academic advisor/counselor on the specific requirements at the four-year Virginia institution to which they plan to transfer. Credit will not be awarded for both MTH 261 and MTH 263 . Credit will not be awarded for both MTH 262 and MTH 264 .

2 Choose from BIO 101 , ENV 121 , GOL 105 , GOL 106 , CHM 101 , PHY 100 , or PHY 150 . The second science should be a different discipline than the first.

³Select from the following: CST 100 , CST 110 , CST 126 , or CST 229 .

⁴200-Level Literature Elective may be chosen from;ENG 245 , ENG 246 , ENG 250 , ENG 255 , or ENG 258 .

⁵See humanities/fine arts courses listed under General Education Electives . Students must choose courses from two of the three areas listed. Credit will not be applied if student takes two courses from the same area. Electives should be selected with advice of a counselor or academic advisor to meet requirements of the transfer institution.

⁶Select the open elective based upon the requirements of the senior institution to which you plan to transfer. Please schedule a meeting with a Teacher Education Advisor. Examples of courses recommended by some institutions include world language, ENG 200 , MTH 161 , PSY 219 , EDU 270 , or EDU 280 .