The Elementary Teacher Education program is designed for students who aspire to become elementary or special education teachers, and offers a breadth of study across disciplines. Elementary Teacher Education incorporates subject matter that prepares students to teach elementary education level subjects including science, mathematics, literature, history, geography and the arts.

Elementary Teacher Education coursework will also introduce theories of education and child development, as well as provide an early field experience. Students who complete these interdisciplinary courses will be able to:

1. demonstrate college-level skills in written English, oral communications, math, and critical thinking;
2. demonstrate a basic grasp of the disciplines most commonly taught in elementary schools in California, including physical science, biology, art, literature in a cultural or geographic context, world geography, United States history, and United States government;
3. demonstrate a basic grasp of child growth and development.

The Associate in Arts in Elementary Teacher Education for Transfer (AA-T in Elementary Teacher Education) is intended for students who plan to transfer and complete a bachelor's degree in Liberal Studies; Integrated Teacher Education, or a major deemed similar at a CSU campus. Students completing this AA-T degree are guaranteed admission to the CSU system, but not necessarily to a particular CSU campus or major of their choice. For a current list of what majors (and what options or areas of emphasis within that major) have been designated as “similar” to this degree at each CSU campus, please refer to adegreewithaguarantee.com and seek guidance from a Moorpark College counselor.

To earn an AA-T in Elementary Teacher Education, students must:

1. Complete 60 semester or 90 quarter CSU transferable semester units.
2. Obtain a minimum grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.0 in all CSU-transferable coursework. While a minimum of 2.0 is required for admission, some majors may require a higher GPA.
3. Complete 50-51 specified major units. All courses in the major must be completed with a grade of C or better or a "P" if the course is taken on a "pass-no-pass" basis (Title 5 § 55063). Even though a "pass-no-pass" is allowed, it is highly recommended that students complete their major courses with a grade.
4. Obtain certification of the California State University General Education-Breadth pattern (CSU GE-Breadth) or the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC for CSU) pattern.

Notes:

1. Students transferring to California State University, Northridge (CSUN) as a Liberal Studies major must complete GEOL M121 for the Earth Science and PHSC M01 and PHSC M01L for the Physical Science requirements.

2. Students transferring to California State University, Channel Islands (CSUCI) should take the following courses from LIST B and C: DANC M24 and MUS M24, CD/EDU M08, EDU M10, ENGL M40 and HIST M143. CSUCI has an approved subject matter program and the inclusion of the prescribed courses above allows students who graduate from the program to be waived from taking the Multiple Subject exam required for graduates of non-waiver programs.  In addition, CSUCI offers an Integrated Multiple Subject or Educational Specialist program that includes the teacher credentialing program for interested students.  This program allows for the completion of both the Bachelor's Degree and teaching credential simultaneously.  Students interested in the integrated program must apply and possess a 3.0 or better GPA.

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to: 

• analyze and describe the teacher’s comprehensive role in supporting learning and development in elementary school settings.