Teaching Pre K-3, A.S.T.

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Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences • (901) 333-5483

The Associate of Science in Teaching degree has been implemented throughout the Tennessee Board of Regents system to facilitate entry of transfer students from community colleges into university teacher education programs. A common curriculum applicable to all community colleges and acceptable to all TBR universities is prescribed. Admission, retention, and graduation requirements are the same as those published in the Graduation Requirements section of the Southwest Tennessee Community College catalog with the additional requirement that students who qualify for the AST must satisfy the following:

Attainment of a cumulative 2.75 grade point average
Successful completion of the PRAXIS Core examination
- Computer-based tests can be scheduled at any time by visiting www.ets.org
  - Satisfactory Reading Core Score (Test 5712): 156
  - Satisfactory Writing Core Score (Test 5722): 162
  - Satisfactory Math Core Score (Test 5732): 150
  - Students with an institution documented ACT Best Score of 21 or higher are exempt from taking the Praxis Core examination
Achievement of satisfactory rating on three (3) Student Disposition Forms
- One must be from Introduction to EDUC or Introduction to ECE (respective of the specific AST degree being pursued)
- Two forms are at the student’s discretion
Completion of 30 documented department aproved field experience hours

Additional Information:

Criminal and/or other types of background checks, possibly at the student’s expense, may be a requirement of some courses in this degree program. The ability to complete cooperative training, internships, field experiences, and educational practicums may be based on the results of these background checks. This could result in your inability to successfully complete course/program requirements.

The Associate of Science in Teaching (A.S.T.) (Pre K-3 ) pathway is designed as a transfer degree for students who wish to pursue a career in early childhood education, teaching children in Pre-Kindergarten through third grade in public and private schools. The graduate with the A.S.T. degree will have completed the first two years of a four-year degree that is required for teacher certification (licensure) in early childhood education in Tennessee. Students who earn the A.S.T. (Pre K-3) pathway are prepared to transfer to any of the six former Tennessee Board of Regents universities for their junior and senior years, and are prepared to enter into the university’s teacher education program.

First Semester: 16 Credits

ECED 1310 Introduction to Early Childhood Education
BIOL 1010 Introduction to Biology (Gen.Ed.) (Biological/Life Sciences)
ENGL 1010 English Composition I (Gen.Ed.)
HIST 2010 Early United States History (Gen. Ed.)
Or
HIST 2020 Modern United States History (Gen.Ed.)
MATH 1410 Number Concepts for Teachers

Second Semester: 16 Credits

ECED 2320 Infant, Toddler, Child Development
ENGL 1020 English Composition II (Gen.Ed.)
HIST 2310 Early World History (Gen. Ed.)*
Or
HIST 2320 Modern World History (Gen. Ed.)*
MATH 1530 Introductory Statistics (Gen. Ed.)**
ESCI 1010 Weather and Climate (Gen. Ed.) (Physical/Earth Science)
Or
PSCI 1010 Principles of Physical Science (Gen.Ed.)(Physical/Earth Science)

Third Semester: 15 Credits

ECED 2340 Family Dynamics & Community Involvement
English/Literature (Gen.Ed.)***
GEOG 2010 World Regional Geography (Gen.Ed.)
ART 1035 Introduction to Art (Gen. Ed.)
Or
MUS 1030 Introduction to Music (Gen. Ed.)
COMM 2025 Fundamentals of Communication (Gen.Ed.)

Fourth Semester: 15 Credits

ECED 2360 Development of Exceptional Children ****
EDUC 1010 Introduction to Education
PHIL 1030 Introduction to Philosophy (Gen.Ed.)
Or
THEA 1030 Introduction to Theater (Gen.Ed.)
EDUC 2020 Child Development and Learning for Teachers
SOCI 1010 Introduction to Sociology (Gen. Ed.)
Or
POLS 1030 American Government (Gen. Ed.)

Total Program Credits: 62

* Student planning to transfer to out-of-state or private universities must check requirements and complete the appropriate courses.

** Students planning to transfer to out-of-state, private universities, or TBR institutions other than APSU, ETSU, UM, UTC, and UTK, must check requirements of the receiving institution and complete the appropriate courses.

*** Choose from: ENGL 2110 American Literature I, ENGL 2210 English Literature I, OR ENGL 2310 World Literature I

****Students planning to transfer to the University of Memphis must complete one additional course after transferring as Development of Exceptional Children is not on the University’s Pre K-3 curriculum.

Contact the Brad Cliff, (901) 333-5115 or education@southwest.tn.edu, for advising and transfer information. Students should check course recommendations with the college or university to which they intend to transfer for a baccalaureate degree. The receiving institution always makes the final decision about transferability of credits.