Mission and Learning Outcomes

Mission

The Associate of Science in Teaching program is congruent with the School of Education mission to advance students’ professional growth and career opportunities and to cultivate their ability to think critically, to communicate effectively and to apply knowledge wisely. The professional and career-focused academic programs of the School of Education meet and support local, regional and national employment needs. Graduates of the program will complete requirements for an associate’s degree that reflects the student has attained the knowledge, skills, dispositions and commitments that are foundational and essential for success in a baccalaureate teacher licensure program. Graduates of the Associate of Science in Teaching program will be able to enroll in a baccalaureate teacher licensure program at the junior level with a focused study in content knowledge from select general studies courses, and with the first levels of required testing completed. In addition, with the Associate of Science in Teaching degree, they are prepared to work as a Teaching Assistant, Preschool Teacher, Childcare Worker, Preschool and Daycare Center Director and/or as a Library Assistant. 

The purpose of the Associate of Science in Teaching (AST) program is to provide relevant general studies and education courses specifically designed to educate academically strong students during the first two years of college who are fully prepared for entry into a baccalaureate teacher education program.

Learning Outcomes

Major components of the general studies courses will foster personal intellectual development of the preservice student. General studies courses are well planned in accordance with licensure standards and are broad in scope to allow students to develop knowledge, skills and dispositions essential for experiencing success and intellectual growth in the Associate of Science in Teaching Program. Knowledge and skills are embedded in general studies and education courses offered by the South College General Studies Department and the School of Education. All teacher candidates will demonstrate the knowledge and skills to accomplish the following learner outcomes:

1. Demonstrate effective communication through writing.
2. Demonstrate effective communication through speaking and demonstrate an understanding of the basic theory of oral communication.
3. Demonstrate effective quantitative computational and reasoning skills.
4. Demonstrate the ability to read and think critically to evaluate and solve problems.
5. Demonstrate an understanding of cultural diversity and its impact on today’s schools.
6. Demonstrate effective technology use for gathering and communicating information.
7. Demonstrate creativity in thinking and expression.