Oct 14, 2024  
2024-2025 Academic Catalog 
    
2024-2025 Academic Catalog

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


Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Humanities, Social Sciences and Mathematics

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.

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 Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services Department, (901) 333-5483 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.

Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Humanities, Social Sciences and Mathematics