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Elementary Education

Do you like working with students and helping them learn? Consider a career in education! As an education pre-major, you will study a wide range of subjects that cover basic teaching skills. You will also learn what is required to become a teacher and gain a general foundational knowledge in subjects such as math and English.

This popular pre-major program allows you to earn an associate degree. Additionally, taking classes at SFCC will also count towards your Bachelor of Arts in Education at a four-year institution. To ensure you are taking the classes you need for your special interests in teaching, meet with an advisor on campus.

What You’ll Learn

  • Identify how children acquire language and creative expression and develop physically, cognitively, and socially (Child Growth and Development).
  • Design, evaluate, and adapt an environment that provides learning experiences to meet children's needs, abilities, and interests (Curriculum and Learning Environment).
  • Observe and assess what children know and can do in order to plan and implement curriculum that meets their developmental and learning needs (Ongoing Measurement of Child Progress).
  • Establish and maintain collaborative relationships with children, families, and communities (Families and Community Partnerships).
  • Apply best practices that ensure children's safety, health, and nutrition (Health, Safety, Nutrition).
  • Recognize and nurture supportive relationships with children and guide them as individuals and as part of a group (Interactions).
  • Implement effective policies, procedures, and systems to create high quality early care and education settings (Program Planning and Development).
  • Employ responsive and respectful strategies for diversity, equity, and inclusion as a representative of early care and education (Professional Development and Leadership).

You and your advisor will use this program map as a starting point to create a personal education plan customized to your needs. We meet you where you are and help you reach your goals.
Need more details? Check out the degree worksheet for the AA-DTA degree and work with your advisor to make sure you take the right classes to prepare to transfer in Elementary Education. Course descriptions and course learning outcomes can be found in our online catalogue.

Program Map for

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Total Credits: 90

First Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
EDUC& 202
Introduction to Education
5
ENGL& 101
English Composition I
5
GUID 105
Student Success
2
Choose 1 course from:
HLTH 101
Health and Wellness
3
HLTH 104
Stress Management
3
HLTH 174
First Aid
3
HLTH 270
Nutrition for Fitness
3
Total Credits
 
15

Second Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
CMST 227
Intercultural Communication
5
EDUC& 204
Exceptional Child
5
ENGL& 102
Composition II
5
Total Credits
 
15

Third Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
PSYC& 100
General Psychology
5
Choose 1 course from:
HIST& 136
US History 1
5
HIST& 137
US History 2
5
Choose 1 course from:
ASL& 121
American Sign Language I
5
DRMA& 101
Introduction to Theater
5
ENGL& 111
Introduction to Literature
5
ENGL& 112
Introduction to Fiction
5
ENGL& 113
Introduction to Poetry
5
Total Credits
 
15

Fourth Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
MATH 208
Mathematics for Elementary Education - A
5
Choose 1 course from:
ASTR& 101
Introduction to Astronomy
5
CHEM& 110
Chemical Concepts w/Lab
5
GEOL& 101
Intro to Physical Geology
5
Choose 2 credit from:
ART 101
Fundamentals of Drawing
4
DRMA 106
Theatre Production
1 - 5
MUSC 145
Concert Band
1 - 3
PE 188
Basic Fitness I
2
PHOTO 101
Introduction to Photography
5
Choose 3 credit from:
EDUC 260
Educational Psychology
5
EDUC 280
Behavior and Classroom Management
5
HLTH 104
Stress Management
3
HLTH 174
First Aid
3
ICS 180
Child Abuse and Neglect
5
Total Credits
 
15

Fifth Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
MATH 209
Mathematics for Elementary Education - B
5
Choose 1 course from:
ART& 100
Art Appreciation
5
DRMA& 101
Introduction to Theater
5
FILM 141
Introduction to Film
5
Choose 1 course from:
ASTR& 100
Survey of Astronomy
5
GEOL& 100
Survey of Earth Science
5
Total Credits
 
15

Sixth Quarter

Course ID
Course Title
Credits
CMST& 220
Public Speaking
5
MATH 210
Mathematics for Elementary Education - C
5
Choose 1 course from:
SOC 221
Race and Ethnic Relations
5
SOC& 101
Introduction to Sociology
5
SOC& 201
Social Problems
5
Total Credits
 
15

Maximum estimated costs for completing this program

  • Tuition

  • Resident

    $
    9,962
  • Non-Resident

    $
    18,074
  • International

    $
    22,666
  • Books

    $
    2,119
  • Course Fees

    $
    175
  • Institutional Fees

    $
    1,554

  • The amounts listed for tuition and lab & course fees reflects a maximum estimated cost and may be lower based on courses selected.
  • The amount listed for books is a maximum estimated cost based on the price of new textbooks purchased during the previous school year. Costs may be lower based on student choices and availability (used books vs new, rental vs purchase).
  • For more information about costs, visit our page How Much Does It Cost?

  • Leah Ruiz
    Leah Ruiz
    ESBS Pathway Specialist
    Leah.Ruiz@sfcc.spokane.edu
    509-533-3943

  • Elodie Goodman
    Elodie Goodman
    Dean Ss/Acct/Econ/Hum Serv
    B.A., M.A., University of Washington
    Elodie.Goodman@sfcc.spokane.edu
    509-533-3694
  • Bonnie Wagner
    Bonnie Wagner
    Spec Ed / Para Educator
    A.A., Spokane Falls Community College; B.A., Eastern Washington University; M.Ed., Washington State University
    Bonnie.Wagner@sfcc.spokane.edu
    509-533-4209

Teaching Washington is a website developed to provide a user-friendly gateway to knowledge about 
teacher certification in the state of Washington. 

  • Find comprehensive and up-to-date information currently available about every teacher certification program in Washington State.
  • Links to certification program websites.
  • Query the site for information about different pathways into teacher education programs, transfer information, and content area endorsements.
  • Frequently asked questions about how to become a teacher in Washington.
  • A salary scale for Washington teachers.
  • Links to information about scholarships and tuition assistance programs.
  • Links to other national and state websites in education.

Have a question? Let's hear it.

Leah Ruiz

Pathways Specialist
leah.ruiz@sfcc.spokane.edu
509-533-3943
Building 16, Room 133D