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Associate in Arts, Elementary Education

The Associate in Arts, Elementary Education (AAEE) provides the first two years of a four-year curriculum for students who plan to transfer to an Elementary Education or Special Education program at an Arizona public higher education institution. Upon completion of the AAEE, a student may pursue employment as a classroom instructional aide. Upon completing a bachelor's degree, a student may pursue a career as an elementary school teacher or a special education teacher. With further education or certification, students may pursue employment in the field of education in a number of careers, including but not limited to assistant principal, principal, educational administrator, instructional designer, instructional technologist, instructional coordinator, and educational counselor.

Details

Field of Interest
Education
Degree Type
Associate in Arts, Elementary Education (AAEE)
Academic Plan
Associate in Arts, Elementary Education (DEG)
Academic Plan Code
8101
Total credits required
60-64
Catalog Year
2025-2026
Effective Term
Fall 2025
Notes

Students must earn a grade of C or better in all courses within the program.

As a prerequisite to MAT256, students may place into MAT150 or MAT151 or MAT152 and complete MAT140 or MAT141 or MAT142 with a C in lieu of taking both MAT14+ and MAT12+ or taking MAT15+. A student that tests into MAT15+ can take MAT15+ or MAT14+ prior to MAT256. A student that tests into MAT14+ or lower must take MAT12+ and MAT14+ prior to MAT256.

Students must petition NAU to accept (HIS103 and POS221) for POS220.

State certification requirements include courses on the constitutions of US and Arizona. Taking GCU/POS113 for [SB] fulfills this requirement completely. Students who instead take HIS103 or POS110 for [SB] should consider taking POS221 as a Content Area Elective so they have completed study of both constitutions. POS220 meets state certification requirements for both constitutions but does not meet [SB].

This emphasis is intended to align with the degree requirements for the following programs:

ASU (Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College), Elementary Education, BAE

GCC, PVCC, RSC, Elementary Education and Special Education (9301), BA

NAU, Elementary Education, BSE

U of A, Elementary Education Bilingual Option, BAE

U of A, Elementary Education ESL Option, BAE

Refer to the for more information: , ,

What You'll Learn
  • Evaluate the role and impact of various forms of education in a democracy as an active citizen and participate in their communities in constructive ways that demonstrate respect for differing cultures and values.
  • Demonstrate a foundational knowledge of reading, writing, oral language, mathematics, science, social studies, technology, information literacy and art.
  • Analyze K-12 classroom field experience and correlate it with course concepts.
  • Demonstrate ongoing learning and use evidence to continually evaluate his/her professional growth, ethics, knowledge, skills, and dispositions (e.g. collaboration, professionalism, reflection, time management, effective communication).
  • Utilize a foundational knowledge of child development (e.g. physical, cognitive, linguistic, social, and emotional domains), teaching and learning theories, cultural differences, and/or inclusive educational practices for diverse learners.
  • Synthesize knowledge of current and historical influences on education at the local, state, federal and/or global levels to effectively engage in the professional policies and the political process.
  • 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 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
Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors
$54,280
Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education
$51,150
Instructional Coordinators
$58,250

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, Kindergarten and Elementary School
  • Teacher Assistants

* Career and wage information provided by Pipeline AZ using data, reports, and forecasts which are generated using government data sources.

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 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.

A list of additional requirements for this pathway map
Awareness Areas
  • In addition to the requirements identified in the sequence below, students must complete the following awareness areas if not otherwise met by other program requirements:
    • Cultural [C] and
    • Global [G] or Historical [H]
  • Students are strongly encouraged to visit with an academic advisor to ensure completion of all graduation requirements.

Term 1

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 1
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
or
 or Critical course Gateway course SB or C, HU 3
or
or
 or or Or any approved general education course in the Mathematical Applications [MA] area for which is a prerequisite.

Note: , , , and do not meet the [MA] requirement.

 		MA or MA or MA 3–6
or
 or Critical course FYC or FYC 3
or
or
or
or
or
or
 or or or or or or or recommended SB or SB or SB or SB or None or H, SB or SB 3
or
or
or
or
or
 or or or or or or recommended HU or C, HU or C, HU, L or HU or H, HU, L or H, HU, L 3
or
 or 1–3

Term 2

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 2
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
or
 or Critical course Gateway course SB or C, HU 3
or
or
or
or
or
or
or
or
or
or
or
 or or or or or or or or or or or 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
or
 or Critical course FYC or FYC 3
Select from BIO. At least one Natural Sciences course must be SQ. SQ 4
L 0–3

Term 3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 3
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
C, SB 3
or
or
 or or or recommended CS or CS or CS 3
L 3
4
RE Restricted Elective EDU Course Select one additional EDU course (other than , , or ). Recommend , , or (, , or ). 3

Term 4

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 4
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
or
or
 or or Select one of the following US History/Government courses. These courses satisfy the United States Constitution requirement for state teacher certification. H, SB or H, HU, SB or SB 3
or
 or Select from AGS, ASM, AST, CHM, GPH, GLG, PHS or PHY. At least one Natural Science must be SQ. SG or SQ 4
RE Restricted Elective Content Area Course(s) selected must be different from those used to fulfill a requirement of the and/or those used to fulfill Required Courses. 3
Note: is required for Maricopa, NAU and U of A bachelor`s degree. should only be bypassed if transferring to ASU 0–4

Part-time Sequence

Part-time status is 11 credit hours or less.

A list of additional requirements for this pathway map
Awareness Areas
  • In addition to the requirements identified in the sequence below, students must complete the following awareness areas if not otherwise met by other program requirements:
    • Cultural [C] and
    • Global [G] or Historical [H]
  • Students are strongly encouraged to visit with an academic advisor to ensure completion of all graduation requirements.

Term 1

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 1
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
or
 or Critical course Gateway course SB or C, HU 3
or
 or Critical course FYC or FYC 3
or
 or 1–3

Term 2

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 2
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
or
 or Critical course FYC or FYC 3
or
or
 or or Or any approved general education course in the Mathematical Applications [MA] area for which is a prerequisite.

Note: , , , and do not meet the [MA] requirement.

 		MA or MA or MA 3–6

Term 3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 3
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
or
 or Critical course Gateway course SB or C, HU 3
L 3
L 0–3

Term 4

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 4
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
or
or
or
or
or
or
 or or or or or or or recommended SB or SB or SB or SB or None or H, SB or SB 3
or
or
or
or
or
 or or or or or or recommended HU or C, HU or C, HU, L or HU or H, HU, L or H, HU, L 3

Term 5

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 5
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
or
or
or
or
or
or
or
or
or
or
or
 or or or or or or or or or or or 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
Select from BIO. At least one Natural Sciences course must be SQ. SQ 4

Term 6

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 6
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
C, SB 3
4

Term 7

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 7
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
or
or
 or or or recommended CS or CS or CS 3
RE Restricted Elective EDU Course Select one additional EDU course (other than , , or ). Recommend , , or (, , or ). 3

Term 8

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 8
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
or
or
 or or Select one of the following US History/Government courses. These courses satisfy the United States Constitution requirement for state teacher certification. H, SB or H, HU, SB or SB 3
or
 or Select from AGS, ASM, AST, CHM, GPH, GLG, PHS or PHY. At least one Natural Science must be SQ. SG or SQ 4

Term 9

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 9
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
RE Restricted Elective Content Area Course(s) selected must be different from those used to fulfill a requirement of the and/or those used to fulfill Required Courses. 3
Note: is required for Maricopa, NAU and U of A bachelor`s degree. should only be bypassed if transferring to ASU 0–4

General Electives

Select additional courses 100-level or higher to complete a minimum of 60 semester credits but no more than a total of 64 semester credits. Consult with a faculty advisor, program director, and/or academic advisor to identify coursework that best aligns with academic and professional goals.

Restricted Electives

A total of six (6) semester credits are required to satisfy the Electives for Arizona Professional Teacher Standards: three (3) credits in an additional Education course and three (3) credits in Content Area Electives.

Courses must transfer to all public Arizona universities as Elective Credit, Departmental Elective, or Equivalent to a university course as indicated in the Arizona Course Equivalency Guide in effect when the course is taken. Courses identified as Non-transferable in the Arizona Course Equivalency Guide cannot be used to satisfy this requirement.

Select one (1) additional EDU course (other than , , or ):
Recommended:
Introduction to Serving English Language Learners (ELL) (3) OR
Classroom Relationships (3) OR
EDU/HUM/ The Art of Storytelling (3) 3

Choose any combination from the following list of courses and prefixes to total three (3) credits of additional coursework. Course(s) selected must be different from those used to fulfill a requirement of the and/or those used to fulfill Required Courses.

Content Area Electives: Select three (3) credits from the following:
Any ARH Art Humanities course(s) 3
Any ART Art course(s) 3
Any B¶À¼Ò±¬ÁÏ Business-Personal Computers course(s) 3
CFS/ Child Development 3
Human Development 3
Any CIS Computer Information Systems course(s) 3
Any ECN Economics course(s) 3
Any EDU Education course(s) 3 (except , , , and )

Early Learning: Health, Safety, Nutrition and Physical Fitness (3) OR
Health and Nutrition in Early Childhood Settings (1) AND
Safety in Early Childhood Settings (1) 2-3

Any ENG English course(s) 3
Any ENH English Humanities course(s) 3
Any GCU Cultural Geography course(s) 3
Any GPH Physical Geography course(s) 3
Any HIS History course(s) 3
Any MAT Mathematics course(s) higher than (except and ) 3-5
Any MHL Music: History/Literature course(s) 3
Any MTC Music: Theory/Composition course(s) 3
Any POS Political Science course(s) 3
Any THE Theatre course(s) 3
Any THF Theatre and Film course(s) 3
Any THP Theatre Performance/Production course(s) 3
Any Foreign Language course 4-5
Any Natural Science course 3-4

Course Area Key

Gateway Course = Generally the first major-specific course in a pathway.

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
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 for additional details regarding the requirements of this award .

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.