Teaching, AS

The Associate of Science in Teaching Program is designed to educate academically strong college students during their first two years of college for entry into a baccalaureate teacher education initial licensure program. Students will complete a specific general education core of 98 quarter credit hours aligned to the baccalaureate elementary education K-5 requirements to make a smooth transition to the last two years of the baccalaureate licensure program without loss of credits and time to the student.

Students are provided a focused and relevant foundation in selected general education courses in communication, mathematics, humanities, social sciences, and natural/basic science courses as well as introductory courses in education. Knowledge, skills and professional dispositions are embedded in the general education and professional education courses and are offered by the General Education Department and the School of Education at South College. Tennessee Teacher Licensure Standards, Tennessee Academic Standards, Interstate Teacher Assessment and Support Consortium (InTASC) Standards, and the Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) inform the Associate of Science in Teaching curriculum. Program completers will be able to apply knowledge and skills in communication in speaking and writing, computation, reasoning, critical thinking and problem solving, creative thinking and expression, technology, and cultural diversity and its impact to their careers in elementary education.

Purpose of the as Teaching Program

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 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 eligible to enroll in a baccalaureate teacher licensure program at the junior level with a focused study in content knowledge from select general education 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 education 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.

Major components of the general education courses will foster personal intellectual development of the preservice student. General education 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 education and education courses offered by the South College General Education Department and the School of Education. Students are required to earn a minimum grade of “C” in all coursework.

Learning Outcomes

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 the ability to read and think critically to evaluate and solve problems.
4. Demonstrate an understanding of cultural diversity and its impact on today’s schools.
5. Demonstrate effective technology use for gathering and communicating information.
6. Demonstrate creativity in thinking and expression.

The Associate of Science in Teaching degree program is currently offered at the Knoxville campus (Onground) and the Nashville campus (Hybrid).