The Associate of Arts (AA) in Liberal Arts with an option in Education will offer students the first two years of coursework for acceptance into a four-year Teacher Preparation Program. The program will provide a specialized degree focusing on teaching in the elementary school (K-6) as a generalist. Emphasis will be placed on preparing students for passing the CORE Praxis test of Reading, Writing and Mathematics for acceptance into a College of Education. Embedded in the Education courses, students will be introduced to the rigors of the required edTPA for eventual New Jersey state licensure. 

Transfer Information

This major provides students with a liberal arts background and real world skills to manage the classroom setting including hand-on experience in the field as required by the State of NJ Department of Education. This degree is articulated with Kean's BA in Elementary Education K-6 & Teacher of Students with Disabilities (several academic content areas available); Stockton University's BA Early Childhood Education P-3 and Elementary Education K-6 with Liberal Studies. Other transfer opportunities are available, visit the OCC Academic Advising & Transfer Services Office for more information.

Career Information

The Associate of Arts degree is designed to provide students with the coursework needed to transfer to a four-year institution and pursue a bachelor’s degree for an education program in NJ. The curriculum provides  students with the knowledge and skills needed to pursue a pathway to teaching. Other career options may include admission/recruitment, corporate training, school counseling, activities director, and community health education. Students are strongly encouraged to consult with OCC faculty and Career Services as they begin to explore career options. Students can also utilize Career Coach, a resource provided by OCC, to explore degree programs and corresponding careers https://ocean.emsicc.com