Overview
Program Narrative
The need for dedicated, caring, and highly skilled teachers in our nation's schools is greater than ever before. Northampton is committed to providing an excellent foundation for students preparing to major in middle level education when they transfer to a four-year college or university.
The College offers the first two years of the baccalaureate degree program. Completion of the Associate in Arts Degree with a major in Middle Level Education: Grades 4 to 8 allows for a smooth transition to a four-year institution. At the transfer institution students will take advanced courses leading to a degree and certification for grades 4 through 8.
Students interested in becoming an art teacher should refer to the Individualized Transfer Studies major which is the pathway from NCC to Kutztown University for art education.
Outcomes
Graduates of the program will be able to:
- Explain the philosophy of secondary education and its grounding in the social, philosophical, and historical foundations of education.
- Describe the range of cognitive and developmental differences of all adolescents and the implications of these differences for teaching and learning.
- Identify and apply strategies that provide adolescent students with appropriate skills in making the transition from middle-level to high school, and then to full adult citizenship.
- Explain the historical, legal, and philosophical frameworks of special education to describe current trends, evidence-based practices, and resources relevant to the education of children with exceptionalities.
- Summarize the process of acquiring multiple languages and literacy skills, and the sociocultural characteristics of English Language Learners.
- Practice being a positive role model and tutor to adolescent students by upholding high professional standards in the school setting during 40 hours of early field experience.
Transfer Information
This AA in Secondary Education provides a pathway to transfer to a four-year college or university where students can earn a baccalaureate degree and apply for their teacher licensure. Students are strongly encouraged to select a transfer destination as soon as possible. Students should consult with their chosen transfer institution regarding recommended courses that will transfer and be applied to their baccalaureate degree program. These are some of the places NCC students transfer frequently to, though students may transfer to a wide variety of institutions.
- East Stroudsburg University
- Kutztown University
- Bloomsburg University
- Moravian College
- DeSales University
- Cedar Crest College
Career Information
NCC's associate degree program focuses on hands-on experiences and ongoing field-work, allowing students to get excited about their future from the start. The associate degree transfers smoothly into a baccalaureate level secondary education teacher certification program. Most, but not all, of the courses can be completed online.
Program Entry Requirements
The Pennsylvania Department of Education requires that all students participating in field experiences must provide the documentation listed below:
- FBI Federal Criminal History Record (Act 114)
- PA State Police Criminal Record Check (Act 34)
- PA Child Abuse History Clearance (Act 151)
- Mandated and Permissive Reporting in PA Online Training (Act 31)
- Arrest/ Convict ion Report and Certification Form (Act 24)
- TB (Mantoux) test
NOTE: Students must obtain all background clearances and other documentation in order to do the field work component of each education course – the field work in schools is integral to success in these courses.
Courses
First Semester
| COLS101 | College Success | 1 credits |
| Transfer Elective + | 3/4 credits |
| CMTH102 | Introduction to Communication | 3 credits |
| ENGL101 | English I | 3 credits |
| EDUC115 | Education for All Students | 3 credits |
| MATH | Mathematics Elective (QL) | 3/4 credits |
| Total Credit Hours: | 16-18 |
Second Semester
| EDUC260G | Adolescent Development & Cognition | 3 credits |
| MATH | Mathematics Elective (QL) | 3/4 credits |
| ENGL151L | English II | 3 credits |
| Science Elective (SCI) | 4 credits |
| General Education Elective (SSHB) | 3 credits |
| Total Credit Hours: | 16-17 |
Third Semester
| SPED160 | Introduction to Special Education | 3 credits |
| General Education Elective (SIT) | 3 credits |
| Transfer Elective + | 9/12 credits |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15-18 |
Fourth Semester
| ENGL215G | Multicultural Adolescent Literature | 3 credits |
| Transfer Elective + | 12/13 credits |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15-16 |
Total Credit Hours: 62-69
- Computer competencies are included in various courses in the program.
+ Transfer Electives must be selected with the advice of an academic advisor so that courses will transfer to the student's intended teacher certification program and correspond to the area of subject content the student will teach at the high school level.