Becoming Connecticut State Community College
STUDENTS: The Community Colleges are undergoing a merger with a plan to become Connecticut State Community College in fall 2023; please work closely with your advisor/program coordinator to select your courses accordingly. Click here for more details about this merger.
Misson
The objective of this pathway is to prepare students for transfer to a baccalaureate degree in Elementary Education at a four-year college or university. At the community college level, students will focus on completing their general education requirements and on completing the first two years of study in their chosen major. The State of Connecticut requires students to choose a major in a subject area such as: English, Science, Mathematics, History or Social Studies. Upon completing this pathway, students can receive an Associate’s Degree in General Studies.
Additional information for students wishing to become CT public school elementary education teachers: In addition to completing the required courses, students will need to past the PRAXIS I exam and must have 30 hours of documented experience working with children. They will also need to meet the admissions requirements for the School of Education at the transfer institution; these vary from institution to institution. Students should be aware that most baccalaureate degree programs which offer certification in elementary education require a total of 130 or more credits of study including at least one semester of full-time student teaching during your last year at the four-year institution.
Faculty
Tracy Smith-Michnowicz, tsmith-michnowicz@nwcc.commnet.edu, 860-738-6305
Outcomes
In addition to meeting the outcomes for the General Studies Degree, students will also demonstrate:
- An understanding of the developmental stages of childhood, adolescence, and adulthood.
- An appreciation for history and historiography from the perspective of different cultural groups with attention to race, gender, ethnic and class issues.
- Content knowledge in an area designated as an elementary education major.
- Computer skills.
Coursework
This is the suggested course sequence for full-time students who aim to graduate in two years.
SEMESTER 1
ENG* 101 Composition – 3
PSY* 111 General Psychology I – 3
EAS* 102 Earth Science – 3
MAT* 137 Intermediate Algebra – 3
ELECTIVE Humanities or Fine Arts Elective – 3
SEMESTER 2
ENG* 102 Literature & Composition – 3
PSY* 201 Lifespan Development – 3
ELECTIVE Computer Science Elective – 3
ELECTIVE Social Science Elective – 3
ELECTIVE Directed Elective1 – 3
SEMESTER 3
BIO* 110 Principles of the Human Body – 3(4)
HIS* 201 HIS* 202 US History I OR US History II – 3
ELECTIVE Social Science Elective – 3
ELECTIVE Directed Elective1 – 3
ELECTIVE Directed Elective1 3
SEMESTER 4
COM* 173 Public Speaking – 3
ELECTIVE Directed Elective1 – 3
ELECTIVE Directed Elective1 – 3
ELECTIVE Directed Elective1 – 3
ELECTIVE Directed Elective1 – 3