Teacher Education, Spanish (AAT)
Award: Associate of Arts in Teaching
No. of credits required: 60
For more information: Contact Brigid Cook, 443-412-2084, bcook@harford.edu; or Admissions, 443-412-2109.
Program Description
The A.A.T. degree program prepares students for transfer into a four-year college or university education program which results in certification to teach Spanish at grades pre-kindergarten through 12. High school preparation should include Spanish: students should enter the program with proficiency at the SPAN 102 Elementary Spanish II (GAH) level.
Students must obtain a passing score on Praxis CORE or an alternative measurement of basic skills as set forth by COMAR and MSDE in order to earn an A.A.T. degree. Students should plan to take Praxis CORE, which includes core English and math competencies, near completion of 45 credit hours. Information can be obtained from Brigid Cook (bcook@harford.edu). Passing scores on Praxis, SAT, GRE, or ACT may be substituted in place of Praxis CORE, but may not be accepted by all transfer institutions.
Program Goals
Upon completion of the Teacher Education A.A.T. degree programs, students will be able to
- Demonstrate professional teaching behavior including effective communication.
- Discuss the development of education/curriculum and select instructional techniques appropriate for a variety of students.
- Describe influences on growth and development, as well as theories of learning.
- Make decisions in accordance with legal and ethical standards.
- Summarize past and present practices pertaining to education.
Transfer Information
This program requires the successful completion of Praxis CORE and at least a 2.75 GPA. Because the program courses are chosen to fulfill predetermined outcomes, the entire program will transfer to any four-year state or private college in Maryland; however, students are not guaranteed admission to any four-year institution and must apply to and meet the criteria required by that particular institution. Additionally, courses in the program will transfer to private and public colleges nationwide.
Past graduates of this program have transferred to four-year state colleges and universities in Maryland and to private and public colleges nationwide. To facilitate transfer, students should consult with an academic advisor early in their studies at HCC and before selecting elective courses.
Employment Information
According to the United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of secondary teachers needed between 2019 and 2029 is expected to grow 4%. According to the U.S. Department of Education, during the 2020-21 school year there is a critical shortage of Spanish teachers in 14 states including Maryland.
Degree Requirements
Recommended Course Sequence
| First Semester | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| EDUC 100 | Professionalism and Ethics in Teaching (D) | 3 |
| ENG 101 | English Composition (GE) | 3 |
| SPAN 102 | Elementary Spanish II (GAH) 1 | 3 |
| Select one of the following: 2 | 3 | |
| History of the United States I (GB) (GAH) (D) | ||
| History of the United States II (GB) (GAH) (D) | ||
| The Twentieth Century World (GB) (D) | ||
| American Ethnic History (D) | ||
| Select one of the following: 2 | 4 | |
Mathematics Elective (GM) and General Elective (1 credit) | ||
| Credits | 16 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| CMST 101 | Speech Fundamentals (GI) | 3 |
| EDUC 101 | Introduction to Education: Early Childhood through Secondary 3, 4 | 3 |
| ENG 234 | Ethnic American Literature (GAH) (D) | 3 |
| PSY 101 | General Psychology (GB) | 3 |
| SPAN 201 | Intermediate Spanish I | 3 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Third Semester | ||
| PSY 207 | Educational Psychology | 3 |
| SPAN 202 | Intermediate Spanish II | 3 |
| Arts/Humanities Elective (GAH) 2 | 3 | |
| Biological/Physical Lab Science Elective (GL) 2 | 4 | |
| Physical Education Elective | 1 | |
| Credits | 14 | |
| Fourth Semester | ||
| EDUC 217 | Introduction to Special Education 3, 4, 5 | 3 |
| PSY 216 | Adolescent Psychology | 3 |
| SPAN 205 | Advanced Conversation (D) | 3 |
| Biological/Physical Science Elective (GS) 2, 6 | 3 | |
| Select one of the following: 2 | 3 | |
| Human Geography (GB) (D) | ||
| World Regional Geography (GB) (D) | ||
| Credits | 15 | |
| Total Credits | 60 | |
- 1
It is assumed that students will enter the program with Spanish proficiency at least at the 102 level.
- 2
Select in accordance with transfer institution requirements. It is recommended that students choose HIST 104 History of the United States II (GB) (GAH) (D) and MATH 216 Introduction to Statistics (GM) to satisfy requirements in the first semester.
- 3
Students are required to participate in a thirty-hour field placement experience in addition to time spent in EDUC 101 Introduction to Education: Early Childhood through Secondary and EDUC 217 Introduction to Special Education. Field placement experiences take place sometime during regular school hours, generally between 8:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. A criminal record check will be conducted prior to students being placed in a school setting.
- 4
A criminal background check and fingerprinting, at the student's expense, may be required for courses including a field placement.
- 5
The EDUC 217 Introduction to Special Education course required by Harford Community College is a necessary requirement of the College's A.A.T. degree, but is not sufficient to meet all special education or inclusion course requirements for four-year teacher education programs. Students may be required to take additional special education or inclusion courses as a part of the requirements for a baccalaureate degree and teacher education certification at four-year institutions.
- 6
A four-credit course may be substituted as long as at least 60 credits are completed.
General Education Degree Requirements
Note: The following codes identify courses which satisfy the General Education Degree Requirements:
Behavioral/Social Science (GB)
English Composition (GE)
Arts/Humanities (GAH)
Interdisciplinary and Emerging Issues (GI)
Biological/Physical Laboratory Science (GL)
Mathematics (GM)
Biological/Physical Science (GS)