Secondary Education
- AS
- AST
Start your teaching career with an associate degree in Secondary Education. With this degree, you will have completed the first two years of the four-year degree that is required for teacher certification in the State of Tennessee. With a variety of course delivery options you can earn your degree online or in person—whatever works for you!
Associate of Science
Length
Two years
COSTS
COURSE LIST
Catalog
Advising Sheets
After Nashville State
Design the Secondary Education A.S. degree at Nashville State with the transfer university program of your choice in mind. Consult your NSCC program advisor and the catalog from the transfer university throughout the advising/registration process to avoid a loss of credits in the transfer process.
More About Transfer Degrees
Campus Availability: Courses for this degree are available at a variety of campus locations and online. To check current course offerings check class schedule.
Associate of Science
Length
Two years
COSTS
COURSE LIST
After Nashville State
The A.S.T. degree in Secondary Education is best used to transfer to a 4-year college or university. We guarantee a 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 listed on the Secondary Education A.S.T. degree TTP at Nashville State, and you will have completed the first two years of a four-year bachelor's degree.
More About Transfer Degrees
Campus Availability: Courses for this degree are available at a variety of campus locations and online. To check current course offerings check class schedule.
Ready to apply?
How to ApplySecondary Education Concentrations
Choose a concentration that aligns with your goals and area of interest. Need help? Meet with your advisor to figure out which concentration is right for you.
- Biology 7-12 A.S.
- Chemistry 7-12 A.S.
- Mathematics 7-12 A.S.
- English A.S.T.
- Mathematics A.S.T.
- Social Studies A.S.T.
Program Requirements
To earn the A.S.T. 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)
- Receive a satisfactory rating on an index of suitability for the teaching profession
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.
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.
Every Associate of Science in Teaching (A.S.T.) 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.
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.
To get a job in education, you must undergo a criminal history and abuse registry background check. This check is required by the state and initiated by the employer.
All prospective teachers must complete coursework in professional education. Nashville State offers 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 (A.S.T.) degree will have met the course requirements at their four-year transfer university of choice in the courses that are like these courses. See the full Tennessee Professional Education Standards.
More Resources
Connect with Peers
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 stay informed on today's foremost topics in education.
Easily Transfer Your A.S.T. Credits
Earn your Associate of Science in Teaching which is guaranteed to transfer to these public universities in Tennessee. Explore your options for after graduation.
Dig Deeper
Join these organizations and training programs to get involved with professional resources and further your grasp on current issues in education
- NAEYC-National Association for the Education of Young Children
- TECTA-Tennessee Early Childhood Training Alliance
- The National Center for Pyramid Model Innovations
- TEA-Tennessee Education Association
- Tennessee State Department of Education
- Nashville Area Association for the Education of Young Children
- Tennessee Association for Children’s Early Education
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Get In Touch
Program office
Ruth Green
Karen Stevenson
Program FACULTY
Kurstin Bush
