Inspire the Next Generation as an Elementary Teacher
Teaching is about making an impact—changing lives, uplifting and inspiring students, and being the role model many children need. If you’re ready to become a highly effective elementary teacher, the Elementary Education Transfer Major degree at Iowa Lakes provides the perfect foundation.
The Elementary Education Transfer Major degree at Iowa Lakes equips you with the knowledge, skills, and hands-on experiences necessary to excel in the classroom. You’ll develop a strong understanding of child development and teaching methods, ensuring you graduate ready to make a difference in young lives.
By completing the Elementary Education Transfer Major degree, you’ll fulfill the general education prerequisites required by the University of Northern Iowa, the University of Iowa, and Iowa State University, setting the stage for a seamless transfer into a Bachelor’s in Elementary Education program. Coursework includes Educational Psychology, Technology in the Classroom, and Children’s Literature, providing a well-rounded introduction to elementary education.
To earn your Elementary Education Transfer Major Degree, you must complete all required coursework and maintain a GPA of 2.0 or higher. Since transfer requirements vary, working closely with an advisor ensures that your coursework aligns with your future institution’s program.
Explore career opportunities and educator salary expectations through the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Outlook Handbook. Ready to take the next step? Connect with an enrollment coach today and start your journey toward becoming an elementary teacher!
Find Your It!
Your Path to a Rewarding Teaching Career
A Degree Designed for Future Educators
The Elementary Education Transfer Major degree prepares students for careers in teaching, curriculum development, and education leadership. You’ll gain practical knowledge in classroom management, child psychology, and teaching strategies, ensuring you’re well-prepared to continue your studies and enter the workforce as a future educator.
Seamless Transfer for Future Teachers
Earning your degree at Iowa Lakes means you’ve completed key general education and major-specific courses required by regent universities. Since each institution may have unique transfer requirements, our advisors will help you align your coursework and create a clear path to teacher licensure.
Program Details
Length
4 Terms
Degree
Associate in Arts (64 credits)
Campus
Estherville & Online
Your Career Pathway: Additional Degree & Certificate Options
Additional Information
Term 1
EDU 210 – Foundations of Education
An introduction to professional education providing a historical and philosophical background from which the student can examine his or her commitment to education. Challenges and issues in education today will be discussed in the context of school organization, funding, curriculum, professionalism, legal issues and effective teacher characteristics.
EDU 213 – Introduction to Education
This course presents an overview of the field of education, including foundations of American education, effective teacher characteristics, student engagement, philosophies of education and curriculum development. Current challenges and issues in regards to education will be discussed and analyzed on topics such as school funding, professionalism, ethical and legal issues, student diversity and classroom management. Students will complete a 40-hour practicum at the elementary, middle or high school level in which an emphasis is placed on educational theory, creating document for a teaching portfolio documenting the students understanding of the Iowa Teaching Standards. This course is recommended for students who plan to major in education.
ENG 105 – Composition I
Emphasis on expository and argumentative writings including a review of usage and mechanics.
Prerequisites: Satisfactory score on the ACT, Accuplacer, ASSET, COMPASS as determined by Iowa Lakes policy
HIS 151 – U.S. History to 1877†
Study of national foundations, colonial background, revolution, confederation and institutions; nationalism and expansion. The growth of democracy and war plus reconstruction are analyzed.
MAT 117 – Math for Elementary Teachers
Basic mathematical content pertinent to elementary teaching. Topics include problem solving, set theory, number systems and bases, number theory, informal geometry, measurement and elementary probability, and statistics. Does not count toward the mathematics requirement for the AA or A.S. degree.
SDV 103 – Successful Learning
Students master the academic and personal skills needed to succeed in higher education and in life. Content will cover academic, communication and life management skills. Goal setting, time management, note taking, test taking and how to be a lifelong learner will also be covered.
Term 2
EDU 235 – Children’s Literature
Teaches the criteria for choosing the best children’s literature and applies that criteria to evaluating materials to be used in the classroom.
ENG 106 – Composition II
Continuation of ENG 105 with emphasis on research and documentation as well as literary analysis.
Prerequisites: ENG 105 – Composition I
CSC 110 – Intro to Computers
CSC-110 is an introductory course that surveys a variety of topics to include history, hardware, software, terminology, communications, computer ethics, and societal impact of computers. In addition to computer literacy, students will complete hands-on modules using operating systems, word processing, database, presentation, and spreadsheet software; such as Microsoft Office programs.
SPC 101 – Fundamentals of Oral Communication†
The fundamentals course develops the basic skills involved in a variety of communication situations, including oral presentations and interpersonal speaking. Emphasis is placed on organization, audience analysis, vocal and physical delivery, listening, nonverbal communication, critical thinking, and methods of dealing with communication apprehension through class discussion and activities.
SPC 112 – Public Speaking
This course examines both the theoretical and practical basis of speech communication, particularly public speaking. Emphasis is placed on speech preparation, organization, support, delivery, and audience analysis.
SPC 122 – Interpersonal Communications
Examines how humans communicate in one-on-one situations through personal and professional relationships.
Choose either SPC 101, SPC 112, SPC 122
Plus Humanities: 3 credits
Term 3
EDU 245 – Exceptional Learner
This course is an introductory course designed to provide the student with an overview of the field of special education and the policies and programs established for the education of students with various learning abilities. It includes an analysis of characteristics of persons with disabilities, behavior disorders, talented and gifted students, persons with mental health disabilities, and those who have physiological disorders such as asthma. This course is required for teacher licensure in Iowa. Students will complete 25 clock hours in a K-12 Special Education Setting.
PSY 121 – Developmental Psychology
Studies human development from conception through the lifespan. Physical, emotional, social, cognitive and moral aspects are studied in the classroom, by lecture, file/video, projects, and observation and by reading the literature.
Plus Science: 4 credits
Plus Social Behavioral Science: 3 credits
Plus Math: 3 credits
Term 4
EDU 255 – Technology in the Classroom
Technology in the Classroom introduces prospective teacher-prep candidates and other interested students to a variety of digital tools and Internet resources along with best practices in the use of tools and technologies for classroom related functions and issues.
PSY 281 – Educational Psychology
This course is designed for individuals who are or will be working in a vocational environment, which requires them to provide or become part of an educational or training program. Although the course is targeting traditional educational systems, it is directly applicable to virtually any setting in which a person may be required to help an individual or group of individuals learn and understand new information, or to develop new knowledge and skills sets. The fundamentals of this course are designed to assist the student in differentiating learning theory and processes as aspects of human development. Emphasis is placed on the roles of the educators and the students in applying the principles of learning, instruction, evaluation, and pupil management.
Plus Humanities: 3 credits
Plus Math: 3 credits
Plus Science: 4 credits
General Education & Program Learning Outcomes
By obtaining an Associate in Arts (AA) degree from Iowa Lakes, you will learn the following:1
Communications:
- Students are able to communicate clearly, both written and oral using the correct medium.
- Students are able to support ideas with appropriate and adequate information.
Sciences:
- Demonstrate safe laboratory practices.
- Apply scientific inquiry/scientific method to answer questions about the natural world.
Mathematics:
- Apply mathematical methods to solve real world problems.
- Evaluate the validity of mathematical solutions.
Social Sciences:
- Students will demonstrate critical thinking skills in written and oral communication.
- Students will critique the diversity of human experience, individually and collectively.
Humanities:
- Respond critically using established aesthetic principles or criteria, or an ethical judgement of specific examples as it relates to the discipline.
- Express the principles of the discipline within the global community by using the language, syntax, and cultural context of the discipline appropriately.
Computers:
- Integrate the technology necessary in the workplace environment.
- Demonstrate knowledge in utilizing software application tools.
1The What You’ll Learn section of our website provides a description of Learning Outcomes for students who successfully complete all requirements for obtaining an Associate in Arts degree from Iowa Lakes Community College.
Hands-On
Training
Career-Ready
Day One
Transfer data to Iowa Regent Universities
First Year University GPA
Note: This is the average of transfer with associates and transfer, no associates
2.94
Average Retention One Year After Transferring to a Regent University
86%
Average University Graduation Rates Three Years After Entry to a Regent University
58%
START YOUR LAKER JOURNEY IN 4 STEPS!
Questions? Let's Talk
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Tiffany A. Nolta Academic Advisor 712-362-6833 | tnolta@iowalakes.edu |