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Liberal Arts / Education

• Technical Standards
• Degree Program
• Degree Cost Estimate
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Special Education

• Certificate Program
• Certificate Checklist

General Information

• Programs of Study
• Admissions Info
• Course Descriptions

Education

The Liberal Arts/Education degree is designed to allow students to transfer to a four-year degree program to become teachers. The program allows students to experience elementary, middle, and secondary education, and has a common first year of course work. In the second year, students choose courses in any one of the following areas: math, science, social science, English, foreign languages, elementary education, and special education. Completion of these elective courses will demonstrate content expertise required to become eligible for certification once the baccalaureate degree is completed. Elective courses are selected in consultation with the student's advisor. Students are expected to declare their area of focus prior to the beginning of the second year of the program. This degree also meets the requirements for para-professionals seeking an associate degree in fulfillment of national and state requirements. An interview with the program faculty advisor is also required as part of theadmission process.

Education Transfer Credit Policy

In addition to Manchester Community College transfer credit policies, appropriate education courses will be accepted if taken within a five-year period. Exceptions to this policy, based on professional experience, may be granted at the discretion of the department chair. Proper documentation will be required to initiate this process.

Technical Standards

Individuals expecting to pursue their teacher certification and/or seek employment in the educational system are required to undergo a criminal backgrounds check and fingerprinting. Students who expect to transfer to a four-year degree program will be required to take the Praxis I exam for admission to the college and for approval for student teaching. In addition, many four-year teacher training programs willrequire a minimum of a 3.0 GPA for acceptance. Manchester Community College has an online tutoring program designed to prepare students for the Praxis I exam that examines student’s abilities in reading comprehension, writing, grammatical structure and math through Algebra II. Students seeking a career in the educational field should be physically and mentally fit to withstand a physically active work environment, withstand the stresses of ever-changing circumstances and the ability to respond quickly and appropriately when events require. Furthermore, students are expected to have the maturity to accept direction and guidance, exercise sound judgment, maintain confidentiality, and maintain sensitive interpersonal relationships with teachers, fellow students, children and their families.

Liberal Arts / Education Degree Program

Total Credits - 68

* Open Electives Any course that the college offers with a course number of at least 100. ESL courses are not considered open electives and cannot be counted toward graduation requirements.

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Special Education Certificate

The certificate in special education can be earned independently or as part of the Liberal Arts/Education Associate's Degree. This certificate includes three courses that fulfill the requirements of the Education Focus Transfer electives described at left. The certificate is also useful for currently employed paraprofessionals seeking approval as highly qualified under federal No Child Left Behind requirements. Courses in this certificate are:

Required Core Courses

Early Childhood Education Option (12 credits)
OR
School Age Option (12 credits)

Total Credits - 24

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