Elementary Education and Special Education
The Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Elementary Education and Special Education (BAEE/SPED) provides an experiential four-year curriculum in Elementary Education (K-8) and Special Education (K-12). This program prepares pre-service teachers to educate diverse learners. Upon completion of the BAEE/SPED, a student will be eligible to seek the Standard Arizona Teaching Certificate in Elementary Education (K-8), Standard Arizona Teaching Certificate in Special Education (K-12), and the Structured English Immersion Endorsement.
Details
Students must earn a grade of C or better in all courses within the program.
Students must complete the lower-division courses with a cumulative GPA of 2.50 or better and upper-division courses with a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or better.
MAT256 (Investigating Quantity: Number, Operations and Numeration Systems) requires an understanding of algebraic concepts that are not among the learning outcomes of MAT14+ (College Mathematics), so to ensure that a student is adequately prepared to be successful in MAT256, prerequisites have been established based on course placement. A student that tests into MAT14+ or lower must take MAT115 (College Algebra Prep) or MAT12+ (Intermediate Algebra) as well as MAT14+ prior to MAT256. Students that test into MAT15+ (College Algebra/Functions) can meet MAT256 prerequisites by taking MAT15+ or MAT14+.
Arizona state teaching certification requirements include courses on the constitutions of the United States and Arizona. Taking GCU/POS113 (United States and Arizona Social Studies) for [SB] fulfills this requirement completely. Students who instead take HIS103 (United States History to 1865) or POS110 (American National Government) for [SB] should consider taking POS221 (Arizona Constitution) as a Content Area Elective so they have completed study of both constitutions. POS220 (U.S. and Arizona Constitution) meets state certification requirements for both constitutions but does not meet [SB].
As indicated in their course notes, students will be required to complete field experiences in K-12 classrooms in select courses. Field experiences are only available during the traditional K-12 public school calendars.
Prior to taking upper-division (300 and 400 level) coursework, students must complete or provide proof of the following:
1. Formal application is required to begin upper-division coursework.
2. Completion of Associate in Arts, Elementary Education (AAEE) OR coursework equivalent to requirements of Arizona General Education Curriculum (AGEC), MAT256, MAT257, EDU221, and (EED222 or EDU222).
3. Completion of the Arizona Constitution and United States Constitution course(s). Refer to the program notes for details.
4. Minimum 2.50 cumulative grade point average (GPA). Refer to the program notes for details.
5. Valid Identity Verified Prints (IVP) Fingerprint Clearance Card.
6. Names of two professional or academic references (evaluation forms will be provided to the references directly as a part of the application).
7. Passing score on the Arizona Educator Proficiency Assessments (AEPA), Elementary Subtest 1 and 2.
Enrollment into Upper-Division Coursework (300-400):
Teacher candidates are encouraged to apply to enroll in the upper-division (300 and 400 level) coursework if they are within fifteen (15) credits of completing lower-division requirements and/or have yet to achieve a passing score on the Arizona Educator Proficiency Assessments (AEPA)/NES Elementary Subtest 1 and 2 (candidates must have attempted the AEPA/NES Elementary Subtest 1 and 2.)
If a student was dismissed from any program for issues relating to academic integrity and/or professional responsibility and ethical standards, the Program reserves the right to deny enrollment or re-enrollment for the upper-division (300 and 400 level) coursework.
Licensing Disclosures:
The Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education and Special Education degree is designed to meet the coursework requirements for a certified elementary education, K-8 teacher and special education in mild/moderate disabilities, K-12 teacher in the State of Arizona. This degree is not available for students residing outside the state of Arizona.
- Synthesize relevant theories and educational practices to create, implement, and evaluate developmentally appropriate instruction that meets the needs of individual learners. (COM225, EDU204, EDU221, EDU222, EDU225, EDU230, EDU337, EDU367, EDU368, EDU372, EDU427, EDU428, EDU429, EDU431, EDU477, EDU487, MAT256, MAT257, SPE341, SPE343, SPE376, SPE409, SPE422, SPE424, SPE477, [CS], [FYC], [HU], [MA], [SB], [SG/SQ])
- Collaborate with others to create and manage a safe, equitable, and inclusive learning environment for diverse learners. (COM225, EDU204,EDU221, EDU222, EDU225, EDU230, EDU337, EDU367, EDU368, EDU372, EDU427, EDU428, EDU429, EDU431, EDU477, EDU487, MAT256, MAT257, SPE341, SPE343, SPE376, SPE409, SPE422, SPE424, SPE477, [CS], [FYC], [HU], [MA], [SB], [SG/SQ])
- Analyze data from multiple methods of assessment to monitor learning and guide instruction of general education and special education learners. (COM225, EDU204,EDU221, EDU222, EDU225, EDU230, EDU337, EDU367, EDU368, EDU372, EDU427, EDU428, EDU429, EDU431, EDU477, EDU487, MAT256, MAT257, SPE341, SPE343, SPE376, SPE409, SPE422, SPE424, SPE477, [CS], [FYC], [HU], [MA], [SB], [SG/SQ])
- Manage the creation and implementation of Individual Educational Programs (IEPs) and 504 plans as necessary for the optimal integration and growth of learners with diverse abilities. (COM225, EDU204,EDU221, EDU222, EDU225, EDU230, EDU337, EDU367, EDU368, EDU372, EDU427, EDU428, EDU429, EDU431, EDU477, EDU487, MAT256, MAT257, SPE341, SPE343, SPE376, SPE409, SPE422, SPE424, SPE477, [CS], [FYC], [HU], [MA], [SB], [SG/SQ])
- Collaborate with learners, families, colleagues, and community members in a way that demonstrates professional and ethical standards of behavior. (COM225, EDU204, EDU221, EDU222, EDU225, EDU230, EDU337, EDU367, EDU368, EDU372, EDU427, EDU428, EDU429, EDU431, EDU477, EDU487, FYE101, FYE103, MAT256, MAT257, SPE341, SPE343, SPE376, SPE409, SPE422, SPE424, SPE477, [CS], [FYC], [HU], [MA], [SB], [SG/SQ])
- Practice culturally relevant pedagogy that encompasses social-emotional, relational, and cognitive aspects of teaching culturally and linguistically diverse students. (COM225, EDU204, EDU221, EDU222, EDU225, EDU230, EDU337, EDU367, EDU368, EDU372, EDU427, EDU428, EDU429, EDU431, EDU477, EDU487, MAT256, MAT257, SPE341, SPE343, SPE376, SPE409, SPE422, SPE424, SPE477, [CS], [FYC], [HU], [MA], [SB], [SG/SQ])
Successful completion of this degree may lead to employment in a variety of different occupations and industries. Below are examples of related occupations with associated Arizona-based wages* for this degree. Education requirements vary for the occupations listed below, so you may need further education or degrees in order to qualify for some of these jobs and earn the related salaries. Please visit with an academic advisor and/or program director for additional information. You can click on any occupation to view the detail regarding education level, wages, and employment information.
Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary
$81,410 Show expanded career information for Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary
Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors
$54,280 Show expanded career information for Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors
Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education
$51,150 Show expanded career information for Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education
Instructional Coordinators
$58,250 Show expanded career information for Instructional Coordinators
Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education
$50,830 Show expanded career information for Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education
Special Education Teachers, Secondary School
$54,780 Show expanded career information for Special Education Teachers, Secondary School
There are additional career opportunities associated with this degree that do not have occupational data available for Arizona at this time. These occupations are listed below:
- Special Education Teachers, Elementary School
- Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten
* Career and wage information provided by Pipeline AZ using data, reports, and forecasts which are generated using government data sources. Sources
The following is the suggested course sequence by term. Please keep in mind:
- Students should meet with an academic advisor to develop an individual education plan that meets their academic and career goals. Use the Degree Progress Report Tool in your Student Center to manage your plan.
- The course sequence is laid out by suggested term and may be affected when students enter the program at different times of the year.
- Initial course placement is determined by current district placement measures and/or completion of 100-200 level course and/or program requirements.
- Degree and transfer seeking students may be required to successfully complete a MCCCD First Year Experience Course (FYE) within the first two semesters at a MCCCD College. Courses include FYE101 and FYE103. Course offerings will vary by college. See an academic, program, or faculty advisor for details.
Full-time Sequence
Full-time status is 12 credits to 18 credits per semester.
Awareness Areas |
---|
|
Fall Semester (Term 1)
Spring Semester (Term 2)
Fall Semester (Term 3)
Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
BPC110 or CIS105 or EED/EDU115 |
Computer Usage and Applications or Survey of Computer Information Systems or Digital Literacy for Teaching and Learning in Education | EED/EDU115 recommended | CS or CS or CS | 3 | |
COM225 | Public Speaking | L | 3 | ||
EDU/ENH291 or ENH110 or ENH241 or ENH242 or HUM250 or HUM251 |
Children's Literature or Introduction to Literature or American Literature Before 1860 or American Literature After 1860 or Ideas and Values in the Humanities: Early Civilizations to the Renaissance or Ideas and Values in the Humanities: Renaissance to the Contemporary World | EDU/ENH291 recommended | HU or C, HU or C, HU, L or HU or H, HU or H, HU, L | 3 | |
MAT256 | Investigating Quantity: Number, Operations and Numeration Systems | 4 | |||
RE | Restricted Elective | 3–5 |
Spring Semester (Term 4)
Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
EDU222 | Introduction to the Exceptional Learner | C, SB | 3 | ||
GCU/POS113 or HIS103 or POS110 |
United States and Arizona Social Studies or United States History to 1865 or American National Government | H, SB or H, HU, SB or SB | 3 | ||
MAT257 | Investigating Geometry, Probability and Statistics | 4 | |||
RE | Restricted Elective | POS221 recommended. | 0–2 | ||
SG or SQ |
Natural Sciences General or Natural Sciences Quantitative | Select from AGS, ASM, AST, CHM, GPH, GLG, PHS, or PHY. At least one Natural Science must be SQ. | SG or SQ | 4 |
Fall Semester (Term 5)
Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
EDU225 | Professionalism and Ethics in Education | May also be taken in summer prior to term 5. | 1 | ||
EDU367 | Science of Reading, Including Systematic Phonics Instruction in Grades K-8 | Requires 20 hours of an Elementary K-8 approved field experience. | 3 | ||
EDU372 | Educational Psychology | May also be taken in summer prior to term 5. | 3 | ||
EDU427 | Social Studies Teaching Methods and Pedagogical Strategies for Grades K-8 | Requires 20 hours of an Elementary K-8 approved field experience. | 3 | ||
SPE409 | Special Education: Law, Policy, and Practice | 3 |
Spring Semester (Term 6)
Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
EDU337 | Grades K-8 Structured English Immersion in Grades K-8 | 3 | |||
EDU368 | Reading Instructional Practices, Interventions, and Assessments in Grades K-8 | Requires 20 hours of an Elementary K-8 approved field experience. | 3 | ||
SPE343 | Special Education: Effective Collaboration and Communication Practices in Special Education | 1 | |||
SPE376 | Special Education: Classroom Management and Behavioral Analysis | Requires 20 hours of an SPED K-12 approved field experience. | 3 | ||
SPE422 | Special Education: Special Education: Mild to Moderate Disabilities | Requires 30 hours of an SPED K-12 approved field experience. | 4 |
Summer Semester (Term 7)
Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
EDU204 | Fine Arts In Educational Settings | 3 |
Fall Semester (Term 8)
Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
EDU428 | English Language Arts Teaching Methods and Pedagogical Strategies for Grades K-8 | Requires 20 hours of an Elementary K-8 approved field experience. | 3 | ||
EDU429 | Science Teaching Methods and Pedagogical Strategies for Grades K-8 | Requires 20 hours of an Elementary K-8 approved field experience. | 3 | ||
EDU431 | Mathematics Teaching Methods and Pedagogical Strategies for Grades K-8 | Requires 20 hours of an Elementary K-8 approved field experience. | 3 | ||
SPE341 | Special Education: Language Development and Disorders | 2 | |||
SPE424 | Special Education: Assessment and Eligibility of Exceptional Learner | 4 |
Spring Semester (Term 9)
Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
EDU477 | Student Teaching: Elementary (Grades K-8) | Requires a minimum of eight (8) weeks, full-time classroom instruction. | 6 | ||
EDU487 | Professional Seminar: Current Trends in Elementary and Special Education | EDU487 may be repeated for a total of four (4) credit hours. | 2 | ||
SPE477 | Student Teaching: Special Education (Mild to Moderate Disabilities) | Requires a minimum of eight (8) weeks, full-time classroom instruction. | 6 | ||
GE | General Elective | As needed to meet minimum credits. | 0–1 |
Program Electives
Choose any combination from the following list of courses and prefixes to total a minimum of five (5) credits of additional coursework. Course(s) selected must be different from those used to fulfill a requirement of the AGEC-A and/or those used to fulfill Required Courses.
Part-time Sequence
Part-time status is 11 credit hours or less.
Awareness Areas |
---|
|
Fall Semester (Term 1)
Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
EDU221 or EDU230 |
Introduction to Education or Cultural Diversity In Education | Critical course | SB or C, HU | 3 | |
ENG101 or ENG107 |
First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL | Critical course | FYC or FYC | 3 | |
FYE101 or FYE103 |
Introduction to College, Career and Personal Success or Exploration of College, Career and Personal Success | 1–3 |
Spring Semester (Term 2)
Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
EDU221 or EDU230 |
Introduction to Education or Cultural Diversity In Education | Critical course | SB or C, HU | 3 | |
ENG102 or ENG108 |
First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL | Critical course | FYC or FYC | 3 |
Summer Semester (Term 3)
Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
EDU222 | Introduction to the Exceptional Learner | C, SB | 3 | ||
MAT14+ or MAT15+ or MAT187 or MAT188 |
College Mathematics or College Algebra/Functions or Precalculus or Precalculus | Or any higher approved general education course in the Mathematical Applications [MA] area for which MAT15+ is a prerequisite.
Note: MAT182, MAT206, MAT256, MAT257 do NOT meet this requirement. |
None or MA or None | 3–6 |
Fall Semester (Term 4)
Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
CFS/ECH176 or CFS205 or ECN211 or ECN212 or GCU121 or GCU122 or HIS104 or PSY101 |
Child Development or Human Development or Macroeconomic Principles or Microeconomic Principles or World Geography I: Eastern Hemisphere or World Geography II: Western Hemisphere or United States History 1865 to Present or Introduction to Psychology | CFS/ECH176 recommended. | SB or SB or SB or SB or G, SB or G, SB or H, SB or SB | 3 | |
COM225 | Public Speaking | L | 3 |
Spring Semester (Term 5)
Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
BPC110 or CIS105 or EED/EDU115 |
Computer Usage and Applications or Survey of Computer Information Systems or Digital Literacy for Teaching and Learning in Education | EED/EDU115 recommended | CS or CS or CS | 3 | |
EDU/ENH291 or ENH110 or ENH241 or ENH242 or HUM250 or HUM251 |
Children's Literature or Introduction to Literature or American Literature Before 1860 or American Literature After 1860 or Ideas and Values in the Humanities: Early Civilizations to the Renaissance or Ideas and Values in the Humanities: Renaissance to the Contemporary World | EDU/ENH291 recommended. | HU or C, HU or C, HU, L or HU or H, HU or H, HU, L | 3 |
Summer Semester (Term 6)
Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
MAT256 | Investigating Quantity: Number, Operations and Numeration Systems | 4 | |||
SG or SQ |
Natural Sciences General or Natural Sciences Quantitative | Select from BIO. At least one Natural Sciences course must be SQ. | SG or SQ | 4 |
Fall Semester (Term 7)
Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
MAT257 | Investigating Geometry, Probability and Statistics | 4 | |||
SG or SQ |
Natural Sciences General or Natural Sciences Quantitative | Select from AGS, ASM, AST, CHM, GPH, GLG, PHS, or PHY. At least one Natural Sciences course must be SQ. | SG or SQ | 4 |
Spring Semester (Term 8)
Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
ARH100 or ARH101 or ARH102 or DAH100 or DAH201 or DAH250 or MHL140 or MHL145 or MHL146 or MHL153 or THE111 or THE220 |
Introduction to Art or Art from Prehistory Through Middle Ages or Art from Renaissance to Modernism or Introduction to Dance in the United States or Dance, Culture, and Global Contexts or Dance in Popular Culture or Survey of Music History or American Jazz and Popular Music or Survey of Broadway Musicals or Rock Music and Culture or Introduction to Theatre or Modern Drama | HU or H, HU or H, HU or HU or G, HU or C, HU or HU or C, HU or HU or H, HU or HU or HU, L | 3 | ||
EDU+++ | EDU Elective | Select one additional EDU course (other than EDU204, 221, 222, 225, 230 or 250). Recommended: EDU110, EDU220, EDU236, or EDU/HUM/STO292. | 3 |
Summer Semester (Term 9)
Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
GCU/POS113 or HIS103 or POS110 |
United States and Arizona Social Studies or United States History to 1865 or American National Government | H, SB or H, HU, SB or SB | 3 | ||
RE | Restricted Elective | 3–5 |
Fall Semester (Term 10)
Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
EDU225 | Professionalism and Ethics in Education | May also be taken in summer prior to term 10. | 1 | ||
EDU367 | Science of Reading, Including Systematic Phonics Instruction in Grades K-8 | Requires 20 hours of an Elementary K-8 approved field experience. | 3 | ||
EDU372 | Educational Psychology | 3 | |||
RE | Restricted Elective | POS221 recommended. | 0–2 |
Spring Semester (Term 11)
Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
EDU427 | Social Studies Teaching Methods and Pedagogical Strategies for Grades K-8 | Requires 20 hours of an Elementary K-8 approved field experience. | 3 | ||
SPE409 | Special Education: Law, Policy, and Practice | 3 |
Summer Semester (Term 12)
Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
EDU204 | Fine Arts In Educational Settings | 3 |
Fall Semester (Term 13)
Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
EDU337 | Grades K-8 Structured English Immersion in Grades K-8 | 3 | |||
EDU368 | Reading Instructional Practices, Interventions, and Assessments in Grades K-8 | Requires an approved field experience. | 3 | ||
SPE343 | Special Education: Effective Collaboration and Communication Practices in Special Education | 1 |
Spring Semester (Term 14)
Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
SPE376 | Special Education: Classroom Management and Behavioral Analysis | Requires 20 hours of an SPED K-12 approved field experience. | 3 | ||
SPE422 | Special Education: Special Education: Mild to Moderate Disabilities | Requires 20 hours of an SPED K-12 approved field experience. | 4 |
Summer Semester (Term 15)
Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
SPE424 | Special Education: Assessment and Eligibility of Exceptional Learner | 4 |
Fall Semester (Term 16)
Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
EDU428 | English Language Arts Teaching Methods and Pedagogical Strategies for Grades K-8 | Requires 20 hours of an Elementary K-8 approved field experience. | 3 | ||
SPE341 | Special Education: Language Development and Disorders | 2 |
Spring Semester (Term 17)
Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
EDU429 | Science Teaching Methods and Pedagogical Strategies for Grades K-8 | Requires 20 hours of an Elementary K-8 approved field experience. | 3 | ||
EDU431 | Mathematics Teaching Methods and Pedagogical Strategies for Grades K-8 | Requires 20 hours of an Elementary K-8 approved field experience. | 3 |
Fall Semester (Term 18)
Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
EDU477 | Student Teaching: Elementary (Grades K-8) | Requires a minimum of eight (8) weeks, full-time classroom instruction. | 6 | ||
EDU487 | Professional Seminar: Current Trends in Elementary and Special Education | EDU487 may be repeated for a total of four (4) credit hours. | 2 | ||
SPE477 | Student Teaching: Special Education (Mild to Moderate Disabilities) | Requires a minimum of eight (8) weeks, full-time classroom instruction. | 6 | ||
GE | General Elective | As needed to meet minimum credits | 0–1 |
Program Electives
Choose any combination from the following list of courses and prefixes to total a minimum of five (5) credits of additional coursework. Course(s) selected must be different from those used to fulfill a requirement of the AGEC-A and/or those used to fulfill Required Courses.
Critical Course = A course that is highly predictive of future success in a pathway.
- C = Cultural Diversity in the US
- CS = Computer/Statistics/Quantitative Application
- FYC = First Year Composition
- G = Global Awareness
- H = Historical Awareness
- HU = Humanities, Fine Arts, and Design
- L = Literacy & Critical Inquiry
- MA = Mathematics
- SB = Social-Behavioral Sciences
- SG = Natural Sciences General
- SQ = Natural Sciences Quantitative
Students must earn a grade of C or better in all courses within the program.
Course Sequence total credits may differ from the program information located on the MCCCD curriculum website due to program and system design.
View MCCCD’s official curriculum documentation for additional details regarding the requirements of this award (https://aztransmac2.asu.edu/cgi-bin/WebObjects/MCCCD.woa/wa/freeForm10?id=175097).
At Maricopa, we strive to provide you with accurate and current information about our degree and certificate offerings. Due to the dynamic nature of the curriculum process, course and program information is subject to change. As a result, the course list associated with this degree or certificate on this site does not represent a contract, nor does it guarantee course availability. If you are interested in pursuing this degree or certificate, we encourage you to meet with an advisor to discuss the requirements at your college for the appropriate catalog year.
The pathway map presented above is for the current catalog year and is the intended pathway map for new students. All previous catalog years for this pathway map are available at the link below.
Previous catalog years for Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Elementary Education and Special Education