Course Catalog

Education, Degree (ED13)  Degree


Campus Locations: Valdosta, Online

The Education associate of applied science degree program is a series of courses designed to prepare students for a position in education. The program emphasizes a combination of education theory and practical application as well as general core, science, and mathematics competencies necessary for successful employment. Graduates have qualifications to be employed in educational settings including Head Start, Georgia Pre-K programs, and public school teaching assistant positions. Graduates of this program will receive one of two areas of S.T.E.M. specialization: mathematics or science. This program is transferrable to South Georgia State College and Valdosta State University where students can apply their Wiregrass credits to a Bachelors in Education and obtain their Georgia teacher certification.

Program Outcomes: Students in this program will explore the social and political dynamics shaping educational environments. They will critically examine diverse perspectives on the teaching profession and define education within varied cultural contexts. The curriculum emphasizes ethical teaching practices and the role of individual and group cultures. Students will analyze how diversity impacts learning and development, applying educational psychology to enhance teaching strategies. They will develop strong communication skills and ethical conduct, leveraging technology for inclusive and effective lesson delivery across diverse learners.

Careers: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education; Public School Paraprofessionals, Tutors, and After-School Program Teachers

Length of Program: 4 Terms

Admission Requirements:

Program Requirements:

  • A satisfactory criminal background check must be completed prior to entering the Education practicum. A felony conviction could prevent employment in the Education field.
  • Some courses within this program are only offered in an online format.
Curriculum Outline (62 hours)
General Core Courses 27
Area I - Language Arts/Communication - Complete 3 Hours 3
ENGL 1101

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 3 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): Degree Level Reading and Writing Scores Co-requisite(s): None Explores the analysis of literature and articles about issues in the humanities and in society. Students practice various modes of writing, ranging from exposition to argumentation and persuasion. The course includes a review of standard grammatical and stylistic usage in proofreading and editing. An introduction to library resources lays the foundation for research. Topics include writing analysis and practice, revision, and research. Students write a research paper using library resources and using a formatting and documentation style appropriate to the purpose and audience.

3
Area II - Social/Behavior Science - Complete 3 Hours 3
ECON 1101

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 3 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): Program Admission Co-requisite(s): None Provides a description and analysis of economic operations in contemporary society. Emphasis is placed on developing an understanding of economic concepts and policies as they apply to everyday life. Topics include basic economic principles; economic forces and indicators; capital and labor; price, competition, and monopoly; money and banking; government expenditures, federal and local; fluctuations in production, employment, and income; and United States economy in perspective.

3
ECON 2105

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 3 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): Program Admission Co-requisite(s): None Provides a description and analysis of macroeconomic principles and policies. Topics include basic economic principles, macroeconomic concepts, equilibrium in the goods and money markets, macroeconomic equilibrium and the impact of fiscal and monetary policies.

3
ECON 2106

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 3 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): Program Admission Co-requisite(s): None Provides an analysis of the ways in which consumers and business firms interact in a market economy. Topics include basic economic principles, consumer choice, behavior of profit maximizing firms, modeling of perfect competition, monopoly, oligopoly and monopolistic competition.

3
HIST 1111

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 3 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): Degree Level Reading and Writing Scores Co-requisite(s): None Emphasizes the study of intellectual, cultural, scientific, political, and social contributions of the civilizations of the world and the evolution of these civilizations during the period from the prehistoric era to early modern times. Topics include the Prehistoric Era the Ancient Near East, Ancient India, Ancient China, Ancient Rome, Ancient Africa, Islam, the Americas, Japan, Ancient Greece, the Middle Ages, and the Renaissance.

3
HIST 1112

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 3 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): Degree Level Reading and Writing Scores Co-requisite(s): None Emphasizes the study of the intellectual, cultural, scientific, political, and social contributions of the civilizations of the world and the evolution of these civilizations during the period from early modern times to the present. Topics include transitions to the Modern World, scientific revolution and the Enlightenment, political modernization, economic modernization, imperialism, and the Twentieth Century.

3
HIST 2111

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 3 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): Degree Level Reading and Writing Scores Co-requisite(s): None Emphasizes the study of U. S. History to 1877 to include the post-Civil War period. The course focuses on the period from the Age of Discovery through the Civil War to include geographical, intellectual, political, economic and cultural development of the American people. It includes the history of Georgia and its constitutional development. Topics include colonization and expansion; the Revolutionary Era; the New Nation; nationalism, sectionalism, and reform; the Era of Expansion; and crisis, Civil War, and reconstruction.

3
HIST 2112

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 3 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): Degree Level Reading and Writing Scores Co-requisite(s): None Emphasizes the study of the social, cultural, and political history of the United States from 1865 to the beginning of the twenty-first century and will equip the student to better understand the problems and challenges of the contemporary world in relation to events and trends in modern American history. The course also provides an overview of the history of Georgia and the development of its constitution. Topics include the Reconstruction Period; the great West, the new South, and the rise of the debtor; the Gilded Age; the progressive movement; the emergence of the U. S. in world affairs; the Roaring Twenties; the Great Depression; World War II; the Cold War and the 1950's; the 1960's and 1970's; and America since 1980.

3
POLS 1101

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 3 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): Degree Level Reading and Writing Scores Co-requisite(s): None Emphasizes study of government and politics in the United States. The focus of the course will provide an overview of the Constitutional foundations of the American political processes with a focus on government institutions and political procedures. The course will examine the constitutional framework, federalism, civil liberties and civil rights, public opinion, the media, special interest groups, political parties, and the election process along with the three branches of government. In addition, this course will examine the processes of Georgia state government. Topics include foundations of government, political behavior, and governing institutions.

3
PSYC 1101

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 3 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): Degree Level Reading and Writing Scores Co-requisite(s): None Introduces the major fields of contemporary psychology. Emphasis is on fundamental principles of psychology as a science. Topics include research design, the organization and operation of the nervous system, sensation and perception, learning and memory, motivation and emotion, thinking and intelligence, lifespan development, personality, psychopathology and interventions, stress and health, and social psychology.

3
SOCI 1101

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 3 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): Degree Level Reading and Writing Scores Co-requisite(s): None Explores the sociological analysis of society, its culture, and structure. Sociology is presented as a science with emphasis placed on its methodology and theoretical foundations. Topics include basic sociological concepts, socialization, social interaction and culture, social groups and institutions, deviance and social control, social stratification, social change, and marriage and family.

3
Area III - Natural Sciences/Mathematics - Complete 3 Hours 3
MATH 1111

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 3 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): Degree Level Math Scores Co-requisite(s): None Emphasizes techniques of problem solving using algebraic concepts. Topics include fundamental concepts of algebra, equations and inequalities, functions and graphs, and systems of equations; optional topics include sequences, series, and probability or analytic geometry.

3
Area IV - Humanities/Fine Arts - Complete 3 Hours 3
ENGL 2110

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 3 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): ENGL 1101 w/a “C or better Co-requisite(s): None This course explores the history of the human experience through literature and writing across the cultures of the world. Surveys of important works across multiple genres of fiction and non-fiction as a reflection of cultural values. Explores themes from the ancient through modern era.

3
ENGL 2130

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 3 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): ENGL 1101 w/ a “C” or better Co-requisite(s): None Emphasizes American literature as a reflection of culture and ideas. A survey of important works in American literature. Includes a variety of literary genres: short stories, poetry, drama, nonfiction, and novels. Topics include literature and culture, essential themes and ideas, literature and history, and research skills.

3
HUMN 1101

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 3 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): ENGL 1101 w/ a “C” or better Co-requisite(s): None Explores the philosophic and artistic heritage of humanity expressed through a historical perspective on visual arts, music, and literature. The humanities provide insight into people and society. Topics include historical and cultural developments, contributions of the humanities, and research.

3
MUSC 1101

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 3 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): None Co-requisite(s): ENGL 1101 Explores the analysis of well-known works of music, their compositions, and the relationship to their periods. An introduction to locating, acquiring, and documenting information resources lays the foundation for research to include the creative and critical process, the themes of music, the formal elements of composition, and the placing of music in the historical context. Topics include historical and cultural development represented in musical arts.

3
General Education Core Elective - Complete 15 Hours 15
Occupational Courses 35
EDUC 2110

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 3 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): Program Admission Co-requisite(s): None This course is a critical and theoretical exploration of the "Foundations of Education" and engages students in observations, interactions, and analyses of critical and contemporary educational issues. Students will investigate issues influencing the social and political contexts of educational settings in Georgia, the United States, and globally. Students will actively examine the teaching profession from multiple vantage points both within and outside the school. Against this backdrop, students will reflect on and interpret the meaning of education and schooling in a diverse culture and examine the moral and ethical responsibilities of teaching in a democracy. Successful completion of 10 hours of field experience is required.

3
EDUC 2120

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 3 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): Program Admission Co-requisite(s): None Fundamental knowledge of understanding culture and teaching children from diverse backgrounds. Specifically, this course is designed to examine the nature and function of culture; the development of individual and group cultural identity; definitions and implications of diversity; and the influence of culture on learning, development and pedagogy. Successful completion of 10 hours of field experience is required.

3
EDUC 2130

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 3 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): Program Admission Co-requisite(s): None The study of educational psychology concepts through examination of learning and teaching processes, with the goal of applying this knowledge to enhance the learning of all students in a variety of educational settings and contexts. Successful completion of 10 hours of field experience is required.

3
EDUC 2210

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 3 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 9 Pre-requisite(s): Program Admission Co-requisite(s): EDUC 2130 Provides the student with the opportunity to gain a supervised experience in an actual work environment allowing demonstration of techniques obtained from course work. Internship topics include ethical, moral and professional conduct, effective communication skills, use of technology in the classroom, lesson delivery for varied genders, cultures, intellectual abilities, and/or varied learning styles. The student will observe, document, and assess the support of students and the teacher, deliver a group activity, and assist with the development and delivery of a classroom assessment.

3
EDUC 2220

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 2 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): Program Admission Co-requisite(s): EDUC 2210 Review of education as it pertains to the Georgia State certifications administered by Georgia Assessments for the Certification of Educators (GACE). Emphasis on the skills and knowledge in reading, writing, and math possessed by prospective and practicing professionals. This review will guide future educators in the certification of their ability and knowledge to assist in classroom instruction.

2
Select COMP 1000 or COMP 2000 3
COMP 1000

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture -1.667; Lab – 2.667 Pre-Requisites: None Co-Requisite: None This course introduces the fundamental concepts, terminology, and operations necessary to use computers. Emphasis is placed on basic functions and familiarity with computer use. Topics include introductions to computer and digital terminology and usage, operating systems, Internet and digital communication, word processing applications, spreadsheet applications, database applications, and presentation applications. Please note that this course may not transfer to a 4-year institution. Students should check with their transferring institution for transferability of courses. COMP 2000 may be taken in place of COMP 1000 if it is required by a transferring institution.

3
COMP 2000

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture-3 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-Requisites: Program Admission Co-Requisite: None This course provides an introduction to computer applications for the development of analytical and problem-solving workplace skills. The course introduces the fundamental concepts, terminology, and operations necessary to use computers. Topics include file management, word processing software, database software, spreadsheet software, and presentation software skill development. The course also introduces terminology related to computer hardware, computer networks, and social and ethical concepts.

3
Specializations - Choose One of the Following (18 Hours) 18
8EF3 - Elementary Education Specialization (20 Hours)
BIOL 1111

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 3 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): Program Admission Co-requisite(s): BIOL 1111L Provides an introduction to basic biological concepts with a focus on living cells. Topics include chemical principles related to cells, cell structure and function, energy and metabolism, cell division, protein synthesis, genetics, biotechnology, and evolution.

3
BIOL 1111L

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 0 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 3 Pre-requisite(s): Program Admission Co-requisite(s): BIOL 1111 Selected laboratory exercises paralleling the topics in BIOL 1111. The laboratory exercises for this course include chemical principles related to cells, cell structure and function, energy and metabolism, cell division, protein synthesis, genetics, biotechnology, and evolution.

1
BIOL 1112

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 3 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): BIOL 1111, BIOL 1111L w/ a “C” or better Co-requisite(s): BIOL 1112L Provides an introduction to basic animal and plant diversity, structure and function, including reproduction and development, and the dynamics of ecology as it pertains to populations, communities, ecosystems, and biosphere. Topics include classification and characterizations of organisms, plant structure and function, animal structure and function, principles of ecology, and biosphere.

3
BIOL 1112L

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 0 Lab 2 - 0 Lab - 3 Pre-requisite(s): BIOL 1111, BIOL 1111L w/ a “C” or better Co-requisite(s): BIOL 1112 Selected laboratory exercises paralleling the topics in BIOL 1112. The laboratory exercises for this course include classification and characterizations of organisms, plant structure and function, animal structure and function, principles of ecology, and biosphere.

1
EDUC 2000

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 3 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): ENGL 1101 Co-requisite(s): None This course is designed to assist teaching candidates in developing the communication skills required for successful and effective classroom instruction. Verbal and written communication skills in standard English will be emphasized. Candidates will perform a variety of communicative tasks including emails, memoranda, essays, presentations, and listening exercises. Topics include written and oral discourse, communication theory, propaganda, and scenario analysis.

3
EDUC 2001

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 3 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): None Co-requisite(s): None An integrated overview of the core life and earth science content covered in the K-5 Georgia Standards of Excellence and Performance Standards. Topics include the solar system, earth processes, living organisms, biodiversity, and the natural history of Georgia.

3
EDUC 2008

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 3 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): MATH 1101, MATH 1111, or MATH 1113 Co-requisite(s): None An introductory mathematics course for Education majors seeking Elementary teacher certification. This course will emphasize the understanding and use of major concepts of numbers and operations. As a general theme, strategies of problem-solving will be used and discussed in the context of various topics.

3
Choose One of the Following (3 Hours)
MATH 1113

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 3 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): MATH 1111 w/ a “C” or better Co-requisite(s): None Prepares students for calculus. The topics discussed include an intensive study of polynomial, rational, exponential, logarithmic, and trigonometric functions and their graphs. Applications include simple maximum and minimum problems, exponential growth and decay.

3
MATH 1127

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 3 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): Degree Level Math Scores Co-requisite(s): None Emphasizes the concepts and methods fundamental to utilizing and interpreting commonly used statistics. Topics include descriptive statistics, basic probability, discrete and continuous distributions, sampling distributions, hypothesis testing chi square tests, and linear regression.

3
8M93 - Middle Grade Education Specialization (18 Hours)
MATH 1127

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 3 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): Degree Level Math Scores Co-requisite(s): None Emphasizes the concepts and methods fundamental to utilizing and interpreting commonly used statistics. Topics include descriptive statistics, basic probability, discrete and continuous distributions, sampling distributions, hypothesis testing chi square tests, and linear regression.

3
Choose One of the Following (3 Hours)
MATH 1112

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 3 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): MATH 1111 w/ a “C” or better Co-requisite(s): None Emphasizes techniques of problem solving using trigonometric concepts. Topics include trigonometric functions, properties of trigonometric functions, vectors and triangles, inverse of trigonometric functions and graphing of trigonometric functions, logarithmic and exponential functions, and complex numbers.

3
MATH 1113

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 3 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): MATH 1111 w/ a “C” or better Co-requisite(s): None Prepares students for calculus. The topics discussed include an intensive study of polynomial, rational, exponential, logarithmic, and trigonometric functions and their graphs. Applications include simple maximum and minimum problems, exponential growth and decay.

3
Complete 3 of the Following Science Sequences (12 Hours)
BIOL 1111

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 3 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): Program Admission Co-requisite(s): BIOL 1111L Provides an introduction to basic biological concepts with a focus on living cells. Topics include chemical principles related to cells, cell structure and function, energy and metabolism, cell division, protein synthesis, genetics, biotechnology, and evolution.

3
BIOL 1111L

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 0 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 3 Pre-requisite(s): Program Admission Co-requisite(s): BIOL 1111 Selected laboratory exercises paralleling the topics in BIOL 1111. The laboratory exercises for this course include chemical principles related to cells, cell structure and function, energy and metabolism, cell division, protein synthesis, genetics, biotechnology, and evolution.

1
BIOL 1112

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 3 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): BIOL 1111, BIOL 1111L w/ a “C” or better Co-requisite(s): BIOL 1112L Provides an introduction to basic animal and plant diversity, structure and function, including reproduction and development, and the dynamics of ecology as it pertains to populations, communities, ecosystems, and biosphere. Topics include classification and characterizations of organisms, plant structure and function, animal structure and function, principles of ecology, and biosphere.

3
BIOL 1112L

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 0 Lab 2 - 0 Lab - 3 Pre-requisite(s): BIOL 1111, BIOL 1111L w/ a “C” or better Co-requisite(s): BIOL 1112 Selected laboratory exercises paralleling the topics in BIOL 1112. The laboratory exercises for this course include classification and characterizations of organisms, plant structure and function, animal structure and function, principles of ecology, and biosphere.

1
CHEM 1211

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 3 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): MATH 1101 or MATH 1111 w/ a “C” or better Co-requisite(s): CHEM 1211L Provides an introduction to basic chemical principles and concepts which explain the behavior of matter. Topics include measurement, physical and chemical properties of matter, atomic structure, chemical bonding, nomenclature, chemical reactions, and stoichiometry and gas laws.

3
CHEM 1211L

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 0 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 3 Pre-requisite(s): MATH 1101 or MATH 1111 w/ a “C” or better Co-requisite(s): CHEM 1211 Selected laboratory exercises paralleling the topics in CHEM 1211. The laboratory exercises for this course include measurement, physical and chemical properties of matter, atomic structure, chemical bonding, nomenclature, chemical reactions, stoichiometry and gas laws.

1
CHEM 1212

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 3 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): CHEM 1211 and CHEM 1211L w/ a “C” or better Co-requisite(s): CHEM 1212L Continues the exploration of basic chemical principles and concepts. Topics include equilibrium theory, kinetics, thermodynamics, solution chemistry, acid-base theory, and nuclear chemistry.

3
CHEM 1212L

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 0 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 3 Pre-requisite(s): CHEM 1211 and CHEM 1211L w/ a “C” or better Co-requisite(s): CHEM 1212 Selected laboratory exercises paralleling the topics in CHEM 1212. The laboratory exercises for this course include equilibrium theory, kinetics, thermodynamics, solution chemistry, acid-base theory, and nuclear chemistry.

1
Faculty
Program Chair

Education Instructor and Program Coordinator
Valdosta Campus

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