Teacher

Education

The Associate of Arts Degree in Teacher Education program at Simmons College of Kentucky is designed to provide candidates with a strong foundation in education and prepare them for transfer to a four-year institution to pursue a bachelor's degree in education. The program includes courses in education theory, child development, classroom management, and teaching methods. It is designed to be completed in two years of full-time study and includes both classroom instruction and field experience. Candidates will have the opportunity to observe and work in real classroom settings to gain practical experience and apply their learning in a hands-on environment.

Associate of Arts Degree

in Teacher Education Degree

Overview

The AA in Teacher Education program is designed to meet the market demand for quality teachers in the Louisville (KY) metropolitan area and across the state of Kentucky and to supply teachers with a Christian worldview.

Benefits

The program is designed to produce teacher assistants, advocates, and tutors who will serve as agents of change in schools.

Curriculum

The AA in Teacher Education curriculum, accredited by our accrediting body, ABHE, and the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education, is the first step in becoming a certified teacher in Kentucky and beyond. The following curriculum (to the extent possible) should be followed precisely.

Fall Semester Year 1	Spring Semester Year 1
ENG 101 English Composition I	ENG 101 English Composition II
MAT 201 Elementary Contemporary Math I	MAT 201 Elementary Contemporary Math II
COM 100 Public Speaking	ENG 202 Introduction to Research
HIS 203 American History	EDU 213 Foundations of Education
PHI 102 Introduction to Philosophy	EDU 201 Technology and Multimedia in Ed.

Summer School
FRE 101 Foundations of Success
BTS 105 Foundation of Ethics

Fall Semester Year 2	Spring Semester Year 2
PSY 301 Human Growth and Development	PHI 201 Introduction to Christian Ethics
BTS 104 The Church and Social Action	EDU 385 Exceptional Education
SCI 101 Life Science	SOC 303 Sociology of Education
OR	EDU 213 Foundations of Education
SCI 102 Earth Science	OR
POL 101 American Government and Politics	MUC 110 Class Piano I
EDU 313 Diversity Awareness	PHI 200 Critical Thinking and Moral Decision making

Financial Aid/Scholarships

Several scholarships, grants, and other ways to help pay for college are available to eligible candidates:

Evolve 502
S.T.E.P. Last Chance Scholarship
Military Benefits
Employer Reimbursements (check with your employer regarding eligibility and availability)
Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority (KHEAA)
Federal and local scholarships, loans, and grants

Candidates are encouraged to file the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) as soon as possible. Students are also encouraged to apply for as many internal and external scholarships and grants as possible.

Career Info

The successful completion of this program is the first step in becoming a fully certified classroom teacher. With this degree, students can become teacher assistants, advocates, and tutors. According to recent data, there are over 300,000 teacher vacancies in the United States. In Kentucky, during the 2021-22 school year, there were 11,000 teacher vacancies—many in elementary schools. Researchers have called teaching, “a recession-proof occupation”.

Admission Requirements

Admission criteria into the Simmons Teacher Education Program’s (S.T.E.P.) AA degree program are:

· Completed Application with official transcripts from all schools/institutions attended,

· GPA 2.0, standardized test scores or placement exam

· Desire to help others by becoming an educational practitioner

Graduation Requirements are:

SCI 101 Life Science or 102 Earth Science

POL 101 American Government and Politics

MUC 110 Class Piano I

EDU 313 Diversity Awareness

PHI 200 Critical Thinking and Moral Decision making

· GPA of 2.75 or higher