Teacher Education Transfer Program
Who hasn’t been influenced by a teacher? If your goal is to be in the classroom, helping children and youth to learn and grow every day, FCC’s teacher education programs can help you begin. FCC provides the foundational experiences required to transfer to a four-year college or university. The Associate of Arts in Teaching (A.A.T.) is a transfer degree program for students who want to become certified in early childhood, elementary, and/or secondary special education. If you are committed to lifelong learning and want to be the visionary leader that every student with a favorite teacher has experienced, the A.A.T. program is step one.
The A.A.T. program provides the first two years of preparation in teacher education and is designed for students planning to transfer to a Maryland four-year institution to complete a bachelor’s degree in education and teacher certification. The A.A.T. moves transfer students seamlessly and efficiently from the community college into the second two years of teacher education. FCC offers the following A.A.T. degrees:
- A.A.T. Early Childhood Education, grades Pre-K, K-3
- A.A.T. Elementary Education, grades 1-6, plus middle
- A.A.T. Secondary Math, grade 7-12
- A.A.T. Secondary Spanish, grades 7-12
The program of study is comprised of
two related areas: a concentration of
core courses in education and courses to
satisfy the College’s General Education
requirements. Our pre-service teachers
learn in an interactive, inquiry-based
environment with experienced faculty who
model best practices in teaching. Under
the guidance of experienced teachers,
students build on classroom learning
through observations and activities in K-12
schools. Students have the opportunity
to participate in Honors level courses,
student clubs and activities, and to attend
professional conferences.
On The Job
Job Skills
Program Objectives
Growth Potential & Estimated Salaries
Financial Assistance
Faculty
Please refer to the catalog for curriculum requirements.
On The Job
Today’s teachers wear many hats. They
work with information and with people.
They must research, organize, manage,
present, and assess information. But they
must connect and communicate with
their students to share that information;
they must motivate and advise them, and
then monitor their progress. Teachers
also share data, ideas, and concerns with
colleagues, administrators, and parents.
They may be experts in subject content,
or for younger children, grade level
content, although certifications usually
span several grade levels. They must be
knowledgeable in aspects of child and
adolescent development and psychology,
current technology, safety issues and
practices, and state and federal curriculum
requirements. Flexibility, dedication, and
stamina help teachers accomplish the
varied demands of educating the next
generation.
Growth Potential & Estimated Salaries
According to The Princeton Review Web site
(July 2007), “there are shortages of qualified
teachers in some urban areas and in some
areas of specialization. The subjects that
offer the most opportunity are English as a
second language (ESL), mathematics, the
sciences, and special education.” This source
also reports that teachers work an average
of 45 hours a week, making an average
starting salary of $38,000. After five years of
experience, the average salary increases to
$50,000, and after 10 to 15 years, $65,000.
Certified teachers also go on to careers as
school counselors and principals.
Financial Assistance
Future teachers are wise to begin their training at Frederick Community College for the first two years of their Bachelor’s program. FCC’s tuition and fees are about half the cost of those at four-year public colleges in Maryland. Payment plans are available for students who wish to segment their tuition payments. Scholarships and loans are also available for eligible students.Faculty
All FCC faculty are credentialed at the master’s or doctorate level. All are experts in their field who take a personal interest in guiding teacher education students to the next phase of their preparation as transfer students in education. Expect small classes, extensive hands-on instruction and flexible class schedules. Register online at www.frederick.edu or call 301.846.2431