2018-2019 Catalog and Student Handbook 
    
    Mar 28, 2024  
2018-2019 Catalog and Student Handbook [Archived Catalog]

Early Childhood Education (Pre K-3), A.S.T.


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Major in Tennessee Transfer Pathway with the option in Early Childhood Education (Pre K-3) (A.S.T.)

Program and Career Description:

The Associate of Science in Teaching Degree in Early Childhood Education (Pre K-3) is an education specialty designed to prepare individuals to work with children from Pre-K through 3rd grade. Early Childhood Education is a two-year program designed for students planning to continue their studies toward a bachelor's degree at a four-year college or university.

  • An associate's degree could lead to work as a teacher's assistant, Head Start teacher or work as a preschool teacher in a day care setting.
  • A bachelor's degree could lead to a teacher certification in Pre-K through 3rd grade where you would be able to teach in a public or private school.
Career Entry-Level Education Entry-Level Pay Median Pay Experienced Pay
Elementary School Teacher Bachelor's Degree $38,490 $48,750 $55,890
Teacher Assistant Some college, no degree $17,180 $20,670 $25,980
Preschool Teacher Some college, no degree $17,900 $24,770 $37,410

Career and salary information taken from JOBS4TN.GOV. Check out this website for additional information about job descriptions, education requirements and abilities, and supply and demand for these careers. For additional information from a national perspective, go to Bureau of Labor Statistics, U. S. Department of Labor on the internet at www.bls.gov. Visit the Occupational Outlook Handbook on this website. Salaries are not guaranteed.

Transfer Options

This program is a Tennessee Transfer Pathway (TTP) major. A student who completes the associates degree in this major is guaranteed that all required community college courses will be accepted in this major at the transfer institution. To see which four-year institutions offer this TTP major and guarantees a seamless transfer, visit the Tennessee Transfer Pathway website at www.tntransferpathway.org.

Articulation agreements exist between other private and non-TN public institutions. These agreements are available at www.columbiastate.edu/admissions/transfer-information.

Program Requirements


Students may be required to take additional Learning Support courses.

History Requirement


Take 2 courses - HIST 2010  and HIST 2020  are recommended

Humanities/Fine Arts


Take 2 courses

Natural Sciences Requirement


Social/Behavioral Sciences


Take 2 courses

Early Childhood Education (Pre K-3), A.S.T. Sample Academic Plan - Total Credit Hours: 63


First Year - Fall Semester - Total Credit Hours: 17


First Year - Spring Semester - Total Credit Hours: 15


Second Year - Fall Semester - Total Credit Hours: 16


Second Year - Spring Semester - Total Credit Hours: 15


Requirements for Graduation Include:


  • earning 25% of total program credits in residence at Columbia State.
  • earning a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher.
  • pass all parts of the Praxis Core Academic Skills Tests for Educators (Reading 156, Writing 162, and Math 150 or have an ACT composite of 22 or SAT composite of 1020).
  • having four Disposition of Suitability forms completed on you.
  • taking the Columbia State Exit Exam.

* It is recommended that students complete ENGL 1010 , MATH 1410 , MATH 1420  (not required but highly recommended) , and EDUC 2210  before taking Praxis Core Tests.

If you have completed TN eCampus courses, run a degree audit from the student tab in myChargerNet to determine how these courses apply to this program.

Note(s):


*Students transferring to APSU, ETSU, University of Memphis, UT Chattanooga and UT Knoxville should take MATH 1530 .

Criminal background checks are required of all enrolled education students prior to participating in course required classroom field experiences at affiliate public and private schools. Based on the results of the criminal background check, an affiliate school may determine not to allow a student's presence at their school. This could result in the student's inability to successfully complete the requirements of a specific course and the AST program. More information is available from education lead faculty.

Each student enrolled in education courses must show proof of individual liability insurance prior to the onset of the required classroom field experience. More information is available from the education lead faculty.

For more information contact:
Kirstin Davenport at
kdavenport3@columbiastate.edu or 615.465.5762
or
Humanities & Social Sciences Division office at 931.540.2780

Columbia State Community College, a Tennessee Board of Regents institution, is an equal opportunity, affirmative action educational institution. CoSCC- ECE-02-14-18

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