General Information for Education Majors
Tulsa Community College provides the first two years of the four-year degree required to enter the career of teaching in an Oklahoma public/private school. The Pre-K through grade 12 certification is overseen by the Oklahoma State Department of Education whose definition of grade certification is important to determine your program of study. Early Childhood is defined as Pre-K through 3rd grade, Elementary is 1st - 8th grade with credentialed subject matter required for 7th and 8th grade math, and Secondary encompasses both middle school and high school or grades 5th - 12th only in credentialed subject matter.
After an Education major has completed all required general education courses, he/she must take the OGET (Oklahoma General Education Test), prior to admission to a College of Teacher Education at a four-year university. Visit with a TCC Advisement Office on any campus for information about the OGET.
The Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) advances excellent educator preparation through evidence-based accreditation that assures quality and supports continuous improvement to strengthen P-12 student learning. It reviews departments, schools, and colleges which prepare teachers and other educators. Though each four-year university’s requirements are similar, it is best to check with your transfer university about their specific requirements. Information about teacher certification will be discussed in CHLD 2042 which is required for all Pre-Education majors.
Before enrolling in CHLD 2042 students must pass a Criminal Background Investigation. Students are responsible for obtaining the Criminal Background Investigation packet from the School of Child Development and Education office at West Campus, following the instructions provided within the packet, and paying the required fee. Once the School of Child Development and Education at West Campus has been notified that a student has received Criminal Background and Sex Offender clearance, the division office will notify the student by e-mail that he/she may enroll in CHLD 2042 .
To receive an A.A. or A.S. Degree, students must demonstrate computer proficiency.
Prior to graduation from a four-year university, students majoring in Elementary and Secondary Education must complete with a “C” or better a minimum of :
- 12 hours of Communication Arts,
- 12 hours of Social Science,
- 12 hours of Math,
- 12 hours of Science, and
- Demonstrate proficiency in a language other than English.
Students should work with an academic counselor at TCC’s West Campus to carefully select courses that will meet the requirements of both the TCC associate degree program and the baccalaureate program at the four-year university you plan to attend.
See Child Development for Early Childhood Education degrees.
For More Information Contact:
School of Child Development and Education
West Campus: (918) 595-8077
Program Learning Outcomes
After successful completion of this program, you will be able to:
- Explore teaching as a career choice in Elementary Education.
- Examine personal and professional goals.
- Exhibit professionalism in interactions with community partners.
- Interact professionally with students.
Careers
Search careers in Elementary and Secondary Education at TCC Career Explorer and visit TCC Career Services to learn more about our free career planning and job preparation services.
Student Organizations
The CHLD student organization (which was officially named “PACE” or Professional Association of Childhood Educators by its founding members in Fall 2003 is for any and all students (CHLD majors or non-majors) with interest in child development and early childhood education. Group activities include free DHS-accredited training in child care topics, field trips, social and networking events, community service projects, and greeting and orientation services for first-semester CHLD students at West Campus. For more information, contact Dawn Parton at (918) 595-8039 or Debbie Deibert at (918) 595-8108.
Degree Requirements
View a semester-by-semester course plan of study and information on transferring this degree to other colleges and universities on the Pre-Education, Elementary Degree Map.
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