Instructional Assistance
The Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Instructional Assistance program is designed to prepare students for employment as an assistant to the classroom teacher in grades K through 12. The program emphasizes the philosophical, cultural, and linguistic processes involved in teaching children through required coursework in foundations of education combined with practical application within practicum experiences.
Details
Field of Interest
Education
Degree Type
Associate in Applied Science (AAS)
Academic Plan
Instructional Assistance (DEG)
Academic Plan Code
3119
Total credits required
60-63
Catalog Year
2024-2025
Effective Term
Fall 2023
Notes
Students must earn a grade of C or better for all courses required within the program.
What You'll Learn
- Implement developmentally and culturally appropriate instructional strategies and materials.
- Accommodate field-sensitive and field independent styles of teaching and learning.
- Explain the basic philosophical premises of first and second language acquisition as well as the role of culture in learning.
- Participate in K-12 classroom field experiences as an assistant to the teacher.
- Include multicultural literature in instruction to increase cultural awareness and sensitivity.
- Evaluate and apply various computer/technology applications for educational purposes.
- Apply relevant knowledge, skills, and habits of mind to seek career opportunities in the field.
Career statistics
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 annual median wages* for this program. 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.
Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary
$29,580 Show expanded career information for Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary
* Wage information sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics Program. Updated May 2022.
Course Sequence by Term
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.
- Consult with your faculty mentor or academic advisor to determine educational requirements, including possible university transfer options, for your chosen career field.
Full-time Sequence
Full-time status is 12 credits to 18 credits per semester.
Term 1
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EDU221 | Introduction to Education | SB | 3 | ||
| ENG101 or ENG107 |
First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL | FYC or FYC | 3 | ||
| MAT112 | Mathematical Concepts and Applications | OR Satisfactory completion of a higher-level mathematics course | 3 | ||
| Restricted Electives | RE | ||||
| FYE101 or FYE103 |
Introduction to College, Career and Personal Success or Exploration of College, Career and Personal Success | 1–3 |
Term 2
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CFS176 or ECH176 |
Child Development or Child Development | SB or SB | 3 | ||
| CRE101 | College Critical Reading and Critical Thinking | L | 3 | ||
| EDU222 | Introduction to the Exceptional Learner | C, SB | 3 | ||
| ENG102 or ENG108 |
First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL | FYC or FYC | 3 | ||
| BPC110 or CIS105 |
Computer Usage and Applications or Survey of Computer Information Systems | Students must select one of the following technology/computer usage courses | CS or CS | 3 | |
| Restricted Electives | RE |
Term 3
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| COM100 or COM110 or COM225 or COM230 |
Introduction to Human Communication or Interpersonal Communication or Public Speaking or Small Group Communication | SB or SB or L or SB | 3 | ||
| EDU230 | Cultural Diversity In Education | C, HU | 3 | ||
| Natural Science | Any general education course from the Natural Sciences area | NS | 4 | ||
| Restricted Electives | RE |
Term 4
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EDU220 | Introduction to Serving English Language Learners (ELL) | L | 3 | ||
| EDU291 or ENH291 |
Children's Literature or Children's Literature | HU or HU | 3 | ||
| Restricted Electives | RE | ||||
| HIS103 or POS110 or POS227 |
United States History to 1865 or American National Government or United States and Arizona Social Studies | H, HU, SB or SB or H, SB | 3 |
Program Electives
Select from the following courses to meet the Restricted Electives requirements.
Course Area Key
- C = Cultural Diversity in the US
- CS = Computer/Statistics/Quantitative Application
- FYC = First Year Composition
- H = Historical Awareness
- HU = Humanities, Fine Arts, and Design
- L = Literacy & Critical Inquiry
- NS = Natural Science
- RE = Restricted Elective
- SB = Social-Behavioral Sciences
Disclaimer
Students must earn a grade of C or better for all courses required 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/freeForm3?id=182568).
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.
Previous Catalog Years
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 Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Instructional Assistance