Elementary Education and Special Education

Paradise Valley Community College is excited for you to join us in earning your Bachelor’s degree in Elementary and Special Education. Click to find information about the Bachelor’s Degree.

The Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Elementary Education and Special Education (BAEE/SPED) provides an experiential four-year curriculum in Elementary Education (K-8) and Special Education (K-12). This program prepares pre-service teachers to educate diverse learners. Upon completion of the BAEE/SPED, a student will be eligible to seek the Standard Arizona Teaching Certificate in Elementary Education (K-8), Standard Arizona Teaching Certificate in Special Education (K-12), and the Structured English Immersion Endorsement.

Details

Field of Interest

Education

Degree Type

Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Academic Plan

Elementary Education and Special Education (DEG)

Academic Plan Code

9301

Total credits required

120

Catalog Year

2026-2027

Effective Term

Fall 2023

Notes

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

Students must complete the lower-division courses with a cumulative GPA of 2.50 or better and upper-division courses with a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or better.

MAT256 (Investigating Quantity: Number, Operations and Numeration Systems) requires an understanding of algebraic concepts that are not among the learning outcomes of MAT14+ (College Mathematics), so to ensure that a student is adequately prepared to be successful in MAT256, prerequisites have been established based on course placement. A student who tests into MAT14+ or lower must take MAT115 (College Algebra Prep) or MAT12+ (Intermediate Algebra) as well as MAT14+ prior to MAT256. Students who test into MAT15+ (College Algebra/Functions) can meet MAT256 prerequisites by taking MAT15+ or MAT14+.

Arizona state teaching certification requirements include courses on the constitutions of the United States and Arizona. Taking GCU/POS113 (United States and Arizona Social Studies) for [IAM] fulfills this requirement completely. Students who instead take HIS103 (United States History to 1865) or POS110 (American National Government) for [IAM] should consider taking POS221 (Arizona Constitution) as a Content Area Elective so they have completed study of both constitutions. POS220 (U.S. and Arizona Constitution) meets state certification requirements for both constitutions but does not meet [IAM].

As indicated in their course notes, students will be required to complete field experiences in K-12 classrooms in select courses. Field experiences are only available during the traditional K-12 public school calendars.

Prior to taking upper-division (300 and 400 level) coursework, students must complete or provide proof of the following:

OPTION 1: Students admitted into the program without prior credits
1. Formal application is required to begin upper-division coursework.
2. Completion of all lower division coursework as specified.
3. Minimum 2.50 cumulative grade point average (GPA). Refer to the program notes for details.
4. Valid Identity Verified Prints (IVP) Fingerprint Clearance Card.
5. Names of two professional or academic references (evaluation forms will be provided to the references directly as a part of the application).
6. Subject knowledge requirement: Passing Elementary Subtest 1 and 2 OR 3.0 GPA within lower division courses. For questions, consult your advisor.

OPTION 2: Students admitted into the program who have completed the MCCCD Associate in Arts, Elementary Education (AAEE) degree.
1. Formal application is required to begin upper-division coursework.
2. Minimum 2.50 cumulative grade point average (GPA). Refer to the program notes for details.
3. Valid Identity Verified Prints (IVP) Fingerprint Clearance Card.
4. Names of two professional or academic references (evaluation forms will be provided to the references directly as a part of the application).
5. Subject knowledge requirement: Passing Elementary Subtest 1 and 2 OR 3.0 GPA within lower division courses. For questions, consult your advisor.

OPTION 3: Students who have completed the Arizona General Education Curriculum (AGEC) but have not completed the AAEE.
1. Formal application is required to begin upper-division coursework.
2. Completion of MAT256, MAT257, EDU221, and (EED222 or EDU222).
3. Completion of the Arizona Constitution and United States Constitution course(s). Refer to the program notes for details.
4. Minimum 2.50 cumulative grade point average (GPA). Refer to the program notes for details.
5. Valid Identity Verified Prints (IVP) Fingerprint Clearance Card.
6. Names of two professional or academic references (evaluation forms will be provided to the references directly as a part of the application).
7. Subject knowledge requirement: Passing Elementary Subtest 1 and 2 OR 3.0 GPA within lower division courses. For questions, consult your advisor.

Students admitted into the program with transfer credit, but who have not earned the Arizona General Education Curriculum (AGEC), will have prior coursework reviewed and may receive course substitutions on a case-by-case basis as outlined in MCCCD Administrative Regulation 2.3.13.

Teacher candidates are encouraged to apply to enroll in the upper-division (300 and 400 level) coursework if they are within fifteen (15) credits of completing lower-division requirements and/or have yet to achieve a passing score on the Arizona Educator Proficiency Assessments (AEPA)/NES Elementary Subtest 1 and 2 (candidates must have attempted the AEPA/NES Elementary Subtest 1 and 2.)

If a student was dismissed from any program for issues relating to academic integrity and/or professional responsibility and ethical standards, the Program reserves the right to deny enrollment or re-enrollment for the upper-division (300 and 400 level) coursework.

Conditional Enrollment into Upper-Division Coursework (300-400):
Teacher candidates may be conditionally enrolled in the upper-division coursework if they have not met all admittance requirements, which may include the following:

AEPA/NES Test Scores - If teacher candidates have taken but have yet to pass the Arizona Educator Proficiency Assessments (AEPA)/NES, Elementary Subtest I and II. Conditionally admitted students must earn a passing score on Subtest I and II by the end of their first semester in the program or with permission for an extension. Teacher candidates may not be permitted to Student Teach until passing scores are submitted or permission for an extension has been provided.

Coursework - Teacher candidates who have not completed all prerequisite coursework should work closely with their advisors and program administrators to complete all prerequisite and required coursework. Failure to meet all coursework and program requirements may delay graduation and the Institutional Recommendation (IR) needed for certification.

BAEE Graduation Requirements:
Students who have been enrolled in upper-division courses under option 3 (admitted with AGEC but without the AAEE), as outlined above, are not required to complete EDU230 or to take the specific courses outlined in the AGEC or Restricted Elective section of this curriculum.

The following courses will be considered an equivalent substitute if successfully completed by a student in a previous associate degree or certificate program before entering the bachelor’s degree program.
BPC110 for EDU/EED115
CIS105 for EDU/EED115

Licensing Disclosures:
The Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education and Special Education degree is designed to meet the coursework requirements for a certified elementary education, K-8 teacher and special education in mild/moderate disabilities, K-12 teacher in the State of Arizona. This degree is not available for students residing outside the state of Arizona.

What You'll Learn

Synthesize relevant theories and educational practices to create, implement, and evaluate developmentally appropriate instruction that meets the needs of individual learners.
Collaborate with others to create and manage a safe, equitable, and inclusive learning environment for diverse learners.
Analyze data from multiple methods of assessment to monitor learning and guide instruction of general education and special education learners.
Manage the creation and implementation of Individual Educational Programs (IEPs) and 504 plans as necessary for the optimal integration and growth of learners with diverse abilities.
Collaborate with learners, families, colleagues, and community members in a way that demonstrates professional and ethical standards of behavior.
Practice culturally relevant pedagogy that encompasses social-emotional, relational, and cognitive aspects of teaching culturally and linguistically diverse students.

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

Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education

$50,830

Special Education Teachers, Secondary School

$54,780

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, Elementary School
Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten

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

Full-time Sequence

Full-time status is 12 credits to 18 credits per semester.

A list of additional requirements for this pathway map
Arizona General Education Curriculum (AGEC)
Students pursuing an Associate for transfer to a university or a MCCCD bachelor's degree should note the following changes to the Arizona General Education Curriculum (AGEC) requirements, effective Catalog Years 2026-27 and beyond. Students are strongly encouraged to visit with an academic advisor to assess whether transitioning to the Reimagined AGEC requirements aligns with educational goals and to ensure completion of all graduation requirements. Effective Catalog Year 2026-27 and beyond, AGEC Requirements will include: Oral Communication [OCM] (3 Credits) Quantitative Reasoning [QNR] (3 Credits) Institutions in the Americas [IAM] (3 Credits) Effective Catalog Year 2026-27 and beyond, AGEC Requirements will no longer include: Literacy and Critical Inquiry [L] (3 Credits) Computers/Statistics/Quantitative Applications [CS] (3-5 Credits) Cultural, Global, and Historical Awareness Areas [C, G, H] (0-3 Credits) Subject Options -AGEC-S only (8 Credits) For a full outline of the Reimagined AGEC Requirements, please visit Maricopa’s AGEC Webpage.

Term 1

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 1
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
CFS/ECH176 or CFS205 or ECN211 or ECN212 or GCU121WG or HIS104 or PSY101	Child Development or Human Development or Macroeconomic Principles or Microeconomic Principles or World Geography: People, Places, and Culture or United States History 1865 to Present or Introduction to Psychology		Recommend CFS/ECH176	SB or SB or SB or SB or G, SB or H, SB or SB	3
ENG101 or ENG107	First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL	Prerequisites: Writing placement or (C/ better in ESL097 or WAC101) or (B/better in ALT100) or (C in ALT100 & Corequisites: ENG101LL or ENG107LL or WAC101 or ENG100A+) or (C/better in ESL202 & Corequisites: ENG101LL or ENG107LL or WAC101 or ENG100A+). or Prerequisites: Writing test score or (C/better in ESL097 or WAC101),or (B/better in ALT100) or (C in ALT100 & Corequisites: ENG101LL or ENG107LL or WAC101 or ENG100A+) or (C/better in ESL202 and Corequisites: ENG101LL or ENG107LL or WAC101 or ENG100A+).	Critical course	FYC or FYC	3
FYE101 or FYE103	Introduction to College, Career and Personal Success or Exploration of College, Career and Personal Success				1–3
MAT14+ or MAT15+ or MAT187 or MAT188	College Mathematics or College Algebra/Functions or Precalculus or Precalculus	No requisites or No requisites or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in MAT15+, or an appropriate district placement. or No requisites	OR Higher mathematical level Quantitative Reasoning [QNR] approved General Education course with a MAT prefix except MAT206. Note: MAT182, MAT206, MAT256, MAT257 do NOT meet this requirement.	QNR or QNR or MA or None	3–6
EDU221	Introduction to Education			SB	3

Term 2

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 2
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
ENG102 or ENG108	First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL	Prerequisites: Grade of C or better in ENG101. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in ENG107.		FYC or FYC	3
ARH100 or ARH101 or ARH102 or DAH100 or DAH201 or DAH250 or MHL140 or MHL145 or MHL146 or MHL153 or THE111 or THE220	Introduction to Art or Art from Prehistory Through Middle Ages or Art from Renaissance to Modernism or Introduction to Dance in the United States or Dance, Culture, and Global Contexts or Dance in Popular Culture or Survey of Music History or American Jazz and Popular Music or Survey of Broadway Musicals or Rock Music and Culture or Introduction to Theatre or Modern Drama	No requisites or No requisites or No requisites or No requisites or No requisites or No requisites or No requisites or No requisites or No requisites or No requisites or No requisites or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in ENG101, or ENG107, or equivalent.		AHM, HU or AHM, H, HU or H, HU or AHM, HU or G, HU or AHM, C, HU or HU or AHM, C, HU or AHM, HU or AHM, H, HU or AHM, HU or AHM, HU, L	3
NSI	Natural Sciences		Life Sciences: Select four (4) credits of [NSI] in the Biology (BIO) prefix	NSI	4
EDU230	Cultural Diversity In Education			C, HU	3
EDU+++	EDU Elective		Select one (1) additional EDU course (except EDU250; may not select courses listed in Plan Course Requirements). Recommend EDU220, EDU236, EDU/HUM/STO292		3

Term 3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 3
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
OCM	Oral Communication		Recommend COM225	OCM	3
EDU/ENH291 or ENH110 or ENH241 or ENH242 or HUM250 or HUM251	Children's Literature or Introduction to Literature or American Literature Before 1860 or American Literature After 1860 or Ideas and Values in the Humanities: Early Civilizations to the Renaissance or Ideas and Values in the Humanities: Renaissance to the Contemporary World	No requisites or No requisites or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in ENG101. or No requisites or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in ENG101. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in ENG101.	Recommend EDU/ENH291	HU or AHM, C, HU or AHM, C, HU, L or HU or AHM, H, HU, L or H, HU, L	3
MAT256	Investigating Quantity: Number, Operations and Numeration Systems	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in (MAT15+ or higher), or (MAT12+ and MAT14+), or [MAT14+ and (MAT114 or MAT115)], or (MAT14+ and an appropriate District placement into MAT150, MAT151, or MAT152), or permission of Department/Division Chair.			4
Content Area Electives	Content Area Electives				3–5
EDU/EED115	Digital Literacy for Teaching and Learning in Education			CS	3

Term 4

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 4
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
NSI	Natural Sciences		Physical Sciences or Earth/Space Sciences: Select four (4) credits of [NSI] from one of the following prefixes: AGS+++, ASM+++, AST+++, CHM+++, GLG+++, GPH+++, PHS+++, PHY+++	NSI	4
EDU222	Introduction to the Exceptional Learner			C, SB	3
MAT257	Investigating Geometry, Probability and Statistics	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in MAT256 or permission of Department/Division Chair.			4
HIS103 or GCU/POS113 or POS110 or POS220	United States History to 1865 or United States and Arizona Social Studies or American National Government or U.S. and Arizona Constitution			H, HU, IAM, SB or H, SB or IAM, SB or None	3
IAM	Institutions of the Americas		May be fulfilled by HIS103, GCU/POS113, or POS110 in the Plan Course Requirements section.	IAM	3
Content Area Electives	Content Area Electives				0–2

Term 5

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 5
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Credits
EDU225	Professionalism and Ethics in Education		1
EDU367	Science of Reading with Systematic Phonics Instruction in Grades K-8	Prerequisites: Formal acceptance to a Maricopa Community College state approved teacher preparation program or permission of Department or Division.	3
EDU372	Educational Psychology for Teachers (Grades K-12)	Prerequisites: Formal acceptance to a Maricopa Community College state approved teacher preparation program or permission of Department or Division.	3
EDU427	Social Studies Teaching Methods and Pedagogical Strategies for Grades K-8	Prerequisites: Formal acceptance to a Maricopa Community College state approved teacher preparation program or permission of Department or Division.	3
SPE409	Special Education: Law, Policy, and Practice	Prerequisites: Formal acceptance to a Maricopa Community College state approved teacher preparation program or permission of Department or Division. EDU222 recommended but not required.	3

Term 6

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 6
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Credits
EDU337	Structured English Immersion in Grades K-8	Prerequisites: Formal acceptance to a Maricopa Community College state approved teacher preparation program or permission of Department or Division.	3
EDU368	Reading Instructional Practices, Interventions, and Assessments in Grades K-8	Prerequisites: Formal acceptance to a Maricopa Community College state approved teacher preparation program or permission of Department or Division.	3
SPE343	Special Education: Effective Collaboration and Communication Practices	Prerequisites: Formal acceptance to a Maricopa Community College state approved teacher preparation program or permission of Department or Division.	1
SPE376	Special Education: Classroom Management and Behavioral Analysis	Prerequisites: Formal acceptance to a Maricopa Community College state approved teacher preparation program or permission of Department or Division. EDU221 recommended but not required.	3
SPE422	Special Education: Mild to Moderate Disabilities	Prerequisites: Formal acceptance to a Maricopa Community College state approved teacher preparation program or permission of Department or Division.	4

Term 7

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 7
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
EDU204	Fine Arts In Educational Settings	Prerequisites: Formal acceptance to a Maricopa Community College state approved teacher preparation program or permission of Department or Division.			3

Term 8

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 8
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Credits
EDU428	English Language Arts Teaching Methods and Pedagogical Strategies for Grades K-8	Prerequisites: Formal acceptance to a Maricopa Community College state approved teacher preparation program or permission of Department or Division.	3
EDU429	Science Teaching Methods and Pedagogical Strategies for Grades K-8	Prerequisites: Formal acceptance to a Maricopa Community College state approved teacher preparation program or permission of Department or Division.	3
EDU431	Mathematics Teaching Methods and Pedagogical Strategies for Grades K-8	Prerequisites: Formal acceptance to a Maricopa Community College state approved teacher preparation program or permission of Department or Division.	3
SPE341	Special Education: Language Development and Disorders	Prerequisites: Formal acceptance to a Maricopa Community College state approved teacher preparation program or permission of Department or Division.	2
SPE424	Special Education: Assessment and Eligibility of Exceptional Learners	Prerequisites: Formal acceptance to a Maricopa Community College undergraduate state approved teacher preparation program or permission of Department or Division.	4

Term 9

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 9
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Credits
EDU477	Student Teaching: Elementary (Grades K-8)	Prerequisites: Formal acceptance to a Maricopa Community College state approved teacher preparation program or permission of Department or Division.	6
EDU487	Professional Seminar: Current Trends in Elementary and Special Education	Prerequisites: Formal acceptance to a Maricopa Community College state approved teacher preparation program or permission of Department or Division.	2
SPE477	Student Teaching: Special Education (Mild to Moderate Disabilities)	Prerequisites: Formal acceptance to a Maricopa Community College state approved teacher preparation program or permission of Department or Division.	6

Content Area Electives

A minimum of eight (8) credits are required to satisfy the Electives for Arizona Professional Teacher Standards: three (3) credits in an additional Education course and a minimum of five (5) 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.

Choose any combination from the following list of courses and prefixes to total a minimum of five (5) credits of additional coursework. Course(s) selected must be different from those used to fulfill a requirement of the AGEC and/or those used to fulfill Plan Course Requirements.

A list of additional, alternative, or supplemental courses for this pathway map
Course Number	Course Name	Notes	Area	Credits
ARH+++	Any ARH Art Humanities course(s)			3
ART+++	Any ARH Art Humanities course(s)			3
BPC+++	Any BPC Business-Personal Computers course(s)			3
CFS/ECH176	Child Development		SB	3
CFS205	Human Development		SB	3
CIS+++	Any CIS Computer Information Systems course(s)			3
DAH+++	Any DAH Dance Humanities course(s)			3
ECN+++	Any ECN Economics course(s)			3
EDU+++	Any EDU Education course(s)	(except EDU204, EDU221, EDU222, EDU225, EDU230, and EDU250)		3
EED215 or (CFS123 and CFS125)	Early Learning: Health, Safety, Nutrition and Physical Fitness or (Health and Nutrition in Early Childhood Settings and Safety In Early Childhood Settings)			2–3
ENG+++	Any ENG English course(s)			3
ENH+++	Any ENH English Humanities course(s)			3
GCU+++	Any GCU Cultural Geography course(s)			3
GPH+++	Any GPH Physical Geography course(s)			3
HIS+++	Any HIS History course(s)			3
MAT+++	Any MAT Mathematics course(s)	Any MAT course higher than MAT142 (except MAT256 and MAT257)		3
MHL+++	Any MHL Music: History/Literature course(s)			3
MTC+++	Any MTC Music: Theory/Composition course(s)			3
POS+++	Any POS Political Science course(s)			3
PSY+++	Any PSY Psychology course(s)			3
SOC+++	Any SOC Sociology course(s)			3
SWU+++	Any SWU Social Work course(s)			3
THE+++	Any THE Theatre course(s)			3
THF+++	Any THF Theatre and Film course(s)			3
THP+++	Any THP Theatre Performance/Production course(s)			3
Foreign Language	Any Foreign Language course			4–5
Natural Science	Any Natural Science course			3–4

Part-time Sequence

Part-time status is 11 credit hours or less.

A list of additional requirements for this pathway map
Arizona General Education Curriculum (AGEC)
Students pursuing an Associate for transfer to a university or a MCCCD bachelor's degree should note the following changes to the Arizona General Education Curriculum (AGEC) requirements, effective Catalog Years 2026-27 and beyond. Students are strongly encouraged to visit with an academic advisor to assess whether transitioning to the Reimagined AGEC requirements aligns with educational goals and to ensure completion of all graduation requirements. Effective Catalog Year 2026-27 and beyond, AGEC Requirements will include: Oral Communication [OCM] (3 Credits) Quantitative Reasoning [QNR] (3 Credits) Institutions in the Americas [IAM] (3 Credits) Effective Catalog Year 2026-27 and beyond, AGEC Requirements will no longer include: Literacy and Critical Inquiry [L] (3 Credits) Computers/Statistics/Quantitative Applications [CS] (3-5 Credits) Cultural, Global, and Historical Awareness Areas [C, G, H] (0-3 Credits) Subject Options -AGEC-S only (8 Credits) For a full outline of the Reimagined AGEC Requirements, please visit Maricopa’s AGEC Webpage.

Fall Semester (Term 1)

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Fall Semester (Term 1)
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
ENG101 or ENG107	First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL	Prerequisites: Writing placement or (C/ better in ESL097 or WAC101) or (B/better in ALT100) or (C in ALT100 & Corequisites: ENG101LL or ENG107LL or WAC101 or ENG100A+) or (C/better in ESL202 & Corequisites: ENG101LL or ENG107LL or WAC101 or ENG100A+). or Prerequisites: Writing test score or (C/better in ESL097 or WAC101),or (B/better in ALT100) or (C in ALT100 & Corequisites: ENG101LL or ENG107LL or WAC101 or ENG100A+) or (C/better in ESL202 and Corequisites: ENG101LL or ENG107LL or WAC101 or ENG100A+).	Critical course	FYC or FYC	3
EDU221 or EDU230	Introduction to Education or Cultural Diversity In Education			SB or C, HU	3
FYE101 or FYE103	Introduction to College, Career and Personal Success or Exploration of College, Career and Personal Success				1–3

Spring Semester (Term 2)

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Spring Semester (Term 2)
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
ENG102 or ENG108	First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL	Prerequisites: Grade of C or better in ENG101. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in ENG107.		FYC or FYC	3
EDU221 or EDU230	Introduction to Education or Cultural Diversity In Education			SB or C, HU	3

Summer Semester (Term 3)

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Summer Semester (Term 3)
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
MAT14+ or MAT15+ or MAT187 or MAT188	College Mathematics or College Algebra/Functions or Precalculus or Precalculus	No requisites or No requisites or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in MAT15+, or an appropriate district placement. or No requisites	OR Higher mathematical level Quantitative Reasoning [QNR] approved General Education course with a MAT prefix except MAT206. Note: MAT182, MAT206, MAT256, MAT257 do NOT meet this requirement.	QNR or QNR or MA or None	3–6
EDU222	Introduction to the Exceptional Learner			C, SB	3

Fall Semester (Term 4)

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Fall Semester (Term 4)
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
CFS/ECH176 or CFS205 or ECN211 or ECN212 or GCU121WG or HIS104 or PSY101	Child Development or Human Development or Macroeconomic Principles or Microeconomic Principles or World Geography: People, Places, and Culture or United States History 1865 to Present or Introduction to Psychology		Recommend CFS/ECH176	SB or SB or SB or SB or G, SB or H, SB or SB	3
OCM	Oral Communication		Recommend COM225	OCM	3

Spring Semester (Term 5)

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Spring Semester (Term 5)
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
EDU/ENH291 or ENH110 or ENH241 or ENH242 or HUM250 or HUM251	Children's Literature or Introduction to Literature or American Literature Before 1860 or American Literature After 1860 or Ideas and Values in the Humanities: Early Civilizations to the Renaissance or Ideas and Values in the Humanities: Renaissance to the Contemporary World	No requisites or No requisites or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in ENG101. or No requisites or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in ENG101. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in ENG101.	Recommend EDU/ENH291	HU or AHM, C, HU or AHM, C, HU, L or HU or AHM, H, HU, L or H, HU, L	3
EDU/EED115	Digital Literacy for Teaching and Learning in Education			CS	3

Summer Semester (Term 6)

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Summer Semester (Term 6)
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
NSI	Natural Sciences		Life Sciences: Select four (4) credits of [NSI] in the Biology (BIO) prefix	NSI	4
MAT256	Investigating Quantity: Number, Operations and Numeration Systems	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in (MAT15+ or higher), or (MAT12+ and MAT14+), or [MAT14+ and (MAT114 or MAT115)], or (MAT14+ and an appropriate District placement into MAT150, MAT151, or MAT152), or permission of Department/Division Chair.			4

Fall Semester (Term 7)

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Fall Semester (Term 7)
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
NSI	Natural Sciences		Physical Sciences or Earth/Space Sciences: Select four (4) credits of [NSI] from one of the following prefixes: AGS+++, ASM+++, AST+++, CHM+++, GLG+++, GPH+++, PHS+++, PHY+++	NSI	4
MAT257	Investigating Geometry, Probability and Statistics	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in MAT256 or permission of Department/Division Chair.			4

Spring Semester (Term 8)

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Spring Semester (Term 8)
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
ARH100 or ARH101 or ARH102 or DAH100 or DAH201 or DAH250 or MHL140 or MHL145 or MHL146 or MHL153 or THE111 or THE220	Introduction to Art or Art from Prehistory Through Middle Ages or Art from Renaissance to Modernism or Introduction to Dance in the United States or Dance, Culture, and Global Contexts or Dance in Popular Culture or Survey of Music History or American Jazz and Popular Music or Survey of Broadway Musicals or Rock Music and Culture or Introduction to Theatre or Modern Drama	No requisites or No requisites or No requisites or No requisites or No requisites or No requisites or No requisites or No requisites or No requisites or No requisites or No requisites or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in ENG101, or ENG107, or equivalent.		AHM, HU or AHM, H, HU or H, HU or AHM, HU or G, HU or AHM, C, HU or HU or AHM, C, HU or AHM, HU or AHM, H, HU or AHM, HU or AHM, HU, L	3
EDU+++	EDU Elective		Select one (1) additional EDU course (except EDU250; may not select courses listed in Plan Course Requirements). Recommend EDU220, EDU236, EDU/HUM/STO292		3

Summer Semester (Term 9)

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Summer Semester (Term 9)
Course Number	Course Name	Notes	Area	Credits
Content Area Electives	Plan Course Electives			3–5
HIS103 or GCU/POS113 or POS110 or POS220	United States History to 1865 or United States and Arizona Social Studies or American National Government or U.S. and Arizona Constitution		H, HU, IAM, SB or H, SB or IAM, SB or None	3
IAM	Institutions of the Americas	May be fulfilled by HIS103, GCU/POS113, or POS110 in the Plan Course Requirements section.	IAM	3

Fall Semester (Term 10)

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Fall Semester (Term 10)
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Credits
Content Area Electives	Plan Course Electives		0–2
EDU225	Professionalism and Ethics in Education		1
EDU367	Science of Reading with Systematic Phonics Instruction in Grades K-8	Prerequisites: Formal acceptance to a Maricopa Community College state approved teacher preparation program or permission of Department or Division.	3
EDU372	Educational Psychology for Teachers (Grades K-12)	Prerequisites: Formal acceptance to a Maricopa Community College state approved teacher preparation program or permission of Department or Division.	3

Spring Semester (Term 11)

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Spring Semester (Term 11)
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
EDU427	Social Studies Teaching Methods and Pedagogical Strategies for Grades K-8	Prerequisites: Formal acceptance to a Maricopa Community College state approved teacher preparation program or permission of Department or Division.			3
SPE409	Special Education: Law, Policy, and Practice	Prerequisites: Formal acceptance to a Maricopa Community College state approved teacher preparation program or permission of Department or Division. EDU222 recommended but not required.			3

Summer Semester (Term 12)

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Summer Semester (Term 12)
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
EDU204	Fine Arts In Educational Settings	Prerequisites: Formal acceptance to a Maricopa Community College state approved teacher preparation program or permission of Department or Division.			3

Term 13

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 13
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Credits
EDU337	Structured English Immersion in Grades K-8	Prerequisites: Formal acceptance to a Maricopa Community College state approved teacher preparation program or permission of Department or Division.	3
EDU368	Reading Instructional Practices, Interventions, and Assessments in Grades K-8	Prerequisites: Formal acceptance to a Maricopa Community College state approved teacher preparation program or permission of Department or Division.	3
SPE343	Special Education: Effective Collaboration and Communication Practices	Prerequisites: Formal acceptance to a Maricopa Community College state approved teacher preparation program or permission of Department or Division.	1

Term 14

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 14
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
SPE376	Special Education: Classroom Management and Behavioral Analysis	Prerequisites: Formal acceptance to a Maricopa Community College state approved teacher preparation program or permission of Department or Division. EDU221 recommended but not required.			3
SPE422	Special Education: Mild to Moderate Disabilities	Prerequisites: Formal acceptance to a Maricopa Community College state approved teacher preparation program or permission of Department or Division.			4

Term 15

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 15
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
SPE424	Special Education: Assessment and Eligibility of Exceptional Learners	Prerequisites: Formal acceptance to a Maricopa Community College undergraduate state approved teacher preparation program or permission of Department or Division.			4

Term 16

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 16
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
EDU428	English Language Arts Teaching Methods and Pedagogical Strategies for Grades K-8	Prerequisites: Formal acceptance to a Maricopa Community College state approved teacher preparation program or permission of Department or Division.			3
SPE341	Special Education: Language Development and Disorders	Prerequisites: Formal acceptance to a Maricopa Community College state approved teacher preparation program or permission of Department or Division.			2

Term 17

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 17
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
EDU429	Science Teaching Methods and Pedagogical Strategies for Grades K-8	Prerequisites: Formal acceptance to a Maricopa Community College state approved teacher preparation program or permission of Department or Division.			3
EDU431	Mathematics Teaching Methods and Pedagogical Strategies for Grades K-8	Prerequisites: Formal acceptance to a Maricopa Community College state approved teacher preparation program or permission of Department or Division.			3

Term 18

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 18
Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Credits
EDU487	Professional Seminar: Current Trends in Elementary and Special Education	Prerequisites: Formal acceptance to a Maricopa Community College state approved teacher preparation program or permission of Department or Division.	2
EDU477	Student Teaching: Elementary (Grades K-8)	Prerequisites: Formal acceptance to a Maricopa Community College state approved teacher preparation program or permission of Department or Division.	6
SPE477	Student Teaching: Special Education (Mild to Moderate Disabilities)	Prerequisites: Formal acceptance to a Maricopa Community College state approved teacher preparation program or permission of Department or Division.	6

Content Area Electives

A list of additional, alternative, or supplemental courses for this pathway map
Course Number	Course Name	Notes	Area	Credits
ARH+++	Any ARH Art Humanities course(s)			3
ART+++	Any ARH Art Humanities course(s)			3
BPC+++	Any BPC Business-Personal Computers course(s)			3
CFS/ECH176	Child Development		SB	3
CFS205	Human Development		SB	3
CIS+++	Any CIS Computer Information Systems course(s)			3
DAH+++	DAH+++ Any DAH Dance Humanities course(s)			3
ECN+++	Any ECN Economics course(s)			3
EDU+++	Any EDU Education course(s)	(except EDU204, EDU221, EDU222, EDU225, EDU230, and EDU250)		3
EED215 or (CFS123 and CFS125)	Early Learning: Health, Safety, Nutrition and Physical Fitness or (Health and Nutrition in Early Childhood Settings and Safety In Early Childhood Settings)			2–3
ENG+++	Any ENG English course(s)			3
ENH+++	Any ENH English Humanities course(s)			3
GCU+++	Any GCU Cultural Geography course(s)			3
GPH+++	Any GPH Physical Geography course(s)			3
HIS+++	Any HIS History course(s)			3
MAT+++	Any MAT Mathematics course(s)	Any MAT course higher than MAT142 (except MAT256 and MAT257)		3
MHL+++	Any MHL Music: History/Literature course(s)			3
MTC+++	Any MTC Music: Theory/Composition course(s)			3
POS+++	Any POS Political Science course(s)			3
PSY+++	Any PSY Psychology course(s)			3
SOC+++	Any SOC Sociology course(s)			3
SWU+++	Any SWU Social Work course(s)			3
THE+++	Any THE Theatre course(s)			3
THF+++	Any THF Theatre and Film course(s)			3
THP+++	Any THP Theatre Performance/Production course(s)			3
Foreign Language	Any Foreign Language course			4–5
Natural Science	Any Natural Science course			3–4

Course Area Key

Critical Course = A course that is highly predictive of future success in a pathway.

AHM = Arts and Humanities
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 & Design
IAM = Institutions of the Americas
L = Literacy & Critical Inquiry
MA = Mathematics
NSI = Natural Sciences
OCM = Oral Communication
QNR = Quantitative Reasoning
SB = Social-Behavioral Sciences
SCB = Social and Behavioral Sciences
SG = Natural Sciences General
SQ = Natural Sciences Quantitative
WCM = Written Communication

Disclaimer

Students must earn a grade of C or better in all courses 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 official curriculum documentation for additional details regarding the requirements of this award at https://aztransmac2.asu.edu/cgi-bin/WebObjects/MCCCD.woa/wa/freeForm10?id=175097.

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.

Previous catalog years for Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Elementary Education and Special Education