K-5 Elementary Education A.S.T.

Overview

Teaching preparation starts here.

Nashville State’s K-5 Elementary Education Associate of Science in Teaching (AST) degree offers preparation for students seeking to be elementary teachers. The AST degree prepares students to continue their pursuit of a bachelor's degree and the certification required to teach children in kindergarten through fifth grade in public and private schools in Tennessee.

Transfer Guaranteed

Guarantee your successful transfer to complete your bachelor's degree at a Tennessee public university with the help of Tennessee Transfer Pathways (TTPs). Complete all the courses exactly as listed on the K-5 Elementary Education AST degree TTP at Nashville State, and all courses are guaranteed to count toward the university major in elementary education.

Click Advising on the right for more info about the K-5 Elementary Education TTP.

Advising

K-5 Elementary Education A.S.T. Degree

2022-23 Advising Sheet
2021-22 Advising Sheet
2020-21 Advising Sheet
2019-20 Advising Sheet

The prescribed curriculum for the K-5 Elementary Education AST degree Tennessee Transfer Pathway must be followed exactly to ensure all hour transfer. Talk to an advisor, see the Nashville State Catalog, and visit www.tntransferpathway.org for more TTP information. View TTP video

Requirements

Prepare for the teaching profession.

Transfer to any Tennessee public four-year university with the K-5 Elementary Education AST degree and meet the requirements for the first two years of a baccalaureate degree that leads to elementary teacher licensure. The AST degree requirements below correspond to the four-year universities’ requirements for entrance into the teacher preparation program.

Graduation Requirements

To earn the AST degree students must:

Successfully complete the required course of study as outlined in the catalog;
Attain a 2.75 cumulative grade point average;
Successfully complete the Praxis Exams for Teachers or have a 21 on the ACT or 1020 on the SAT (upon first-time admittance to college); and
Receive a satisfactory rating on an index of suitability for the teaching profession.

Transfer/Advising

Students should consult frequently with their advisors to ensure the completion of all requirements for this degree. Failure to do so could result in a loss of credits in the transfer process.

Praxis Testing

You must pass the Praxis Exams for teachers or attain at least a 21 on the ACT to complete this program. It is strongly recommended that the math portion of the Praxis should be taken after completion of MATH 1410 - Number Concepts for Teachers. For information on pricing, locations for testing, and registration, see Educational Testing Service (ETS) website.

Disposition Assessment

Every Associate of Science in Teaching (AST) degree candidate will undergo a Disposition Assessment. The purpose of the Disposition Assessment is to provide information about the student’s attitudes and skills that are deemed necessary to be a successful teacher. Download the NSCC Disposition Assessment Form and Cover Letter.

Education Professional Portfolio

All education majors must develop a professional portfolio—a collection of work products (such as written papers and artifacts of teaching) from the course of a teacher-preparation program. The professional portfolio will begin in EDUC 2010 - Introduction to Teaching.

Background Check

To get a job in education, you must undergo a criminal history and abuse registry background check. This is required by the state and initiated by the employer.

Tennessee Professional Education Standards

All prospective teachers must complete coursework in professional education. Nashville State offers three of the courses that are in the professional education core:

EDUC 2010 - Introduction to Teaching
EDUC 2210 - Educational Psychology
EDUC 2120 - Intro to Special Education

Students earning the Associate of Science in Teaching (AST) degree will have met the course requirements at their four-year transfer university of choice in the courses that are similar to these three courses. See the full Tennessee professional education standards here.

More Education Programs

Build your qualifications.

Start your teaching certification at Nashville State with the two-year associate degree below that best suits your area of interest. Students in these programs may transfer to a four-year degree to become certified, licensed public or private school teachers.

Build your credentials.

Prepare for employment in early childhood caregiver and education settings. The NSCC Early Childhood Education program is designed to build your qualifications one credential at a time with CDA Prep Courses, a Technical Certificate, and an Associate of Applied Science in Early Childhood Education.

Resources

Connect for success

Get involved with professional resources to further your grasp on current issues in education.

Student Tennessee Education Association

STEA offers opportunities to be a part of the National Education Association, the largest professional teacher organization in the United States. Participate and meet other prospective teachers, subscribe to professional journals, and keep informed on today's foremost topics in education. Student Tennessee Education Association

Tennessee Public Universities

Professional organizations for educators

Contact

All students should talk to an advisor regarding course selection, class registration, and career pathways.

Program Office, D-20

Kurstin Bush, Program Faculty
Kurstin.Bush@nscc.edu
615-353-3359

Karen Stevenson, Division Dean
Karen.Stevenson@nscc.edu
615-353-3430

Ruth Green, Division Office
Ruth.Green@nscc.edu
615-353-3400

Campus Directory

K-5 Elementary Education A.S.T.

Overview

Teaching preparation starts here.

Transfer Guaranteed

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