Shape Young Minds and Build Your Future in Education
Are you passionate about guiding young children through their formative years? The Early Childhood Teacher Licensure Transfer Major degree at Iowa Lakes provides the perfect foundation for a rewarding education, childcare, and early childhood development career.
The Early Childhood Education Teacher Licensure Transfer Major degree at Iowa Lakes offers a strong liberal arts education emphasizing childhood development and teaching strategies. You’ll explore essential early education courses, including Children’s Literature, Math for Elementary Teachers, and Technology in the Classroom. These courses allow you to gain the skills and knowledge to create engaging and effective learning environments.
By completing your degree at Iowa Lakes, you’ll be fully prepared to transfer to a four-year institution and continue your journey toward earning a bachelor’s degree. While this AA degree does not grant Iowa teacher licensure, it has been designed in partnership with Iowa Regents Universities, including the University of Northern Iowa, the University of Iowa, and Iowa State University, to ensure a smooth transition into elementary education programs.
Your transfer major will be recorded on your transcripts, demonstrating a clear academic pathway toward your teaching career. Because transfer requirements can vary, working closely with an advisor will help you meet the specific coursework needs of your chosen four-year institution.
Explore career opportunities and educational 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 shaping the future of young learners!
Find Your It!
Your Pathway to Becoming a Teacher
A Degree Designed for Future Educators
The Early Childhood Teacher Licensure Transfer Major prepares students for teaching, childcare, curriculum development, and early education leadership careers. This program ensures you gain theoretical knowledge and hands-on learning experiences, setting you up for success in early childhood education.
Seamless Transfer to a Four-Year University
Completing your Early Childhood Teacher Licensure Transfer Major degree at Iowa Lakes allows you to fulfill general education requirements while preparing for an advanced degree in education. Since transfer requirements vary, our advisors will work with you to align your coursework with your future institution’s teacher preparation program.
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 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 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.
POL 111 – American National Government†
Review of basic fundamentals of government including federalism, the political process, the presidency, the congress and the judicial system.
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.
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.
Choose HIS 151 or POL 111
Plus Math: 3 credits
Term 2
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.
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.
ENG 106 – Composition II
Continuation of ENG 105 with emphasis on research and documentation as well as literary analysis.
Prerequisites: ENG 105 – Composition I
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.
Plus Humanities: 3 credits
Term 3
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.
Plus Humanities: 3 credits
Plus Math: 3 credits
Plus Science: 4 credits
Plus Social Behavioral Science: 3 credits
Term 4
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, or SPC 122
Plus Science: 4 credits
Plus Electives: 10 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 |