The Associate of Arts Oregon Transfer Elementary Education (Elementary Education AAOT) is a prescriptive degree that identifies the optimal and specific set of community college courses students need to take to transfer efficiently into an Elementary Education program at Oregon universities. It is important to note the AAOT may not be the best degree option for all majors. Students should consult advisors in their major areas for educational planning related to required courses in their majors.

Graduation Requirements

Students must complete a minimum of 90 credit hours. All courses must be completed with a grade of ‘C’ or better. Students must have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 at the time the AAOT is awarded. Twenty-four (24) credits must be completed at Southwestern before the degree is awarded.

Students must successfully complete the following courses from the list of approved general education courses for the AAOT degree and a number of elective credits.

Students may take any college-level course that would bring total credits to 90 quarter hours, including up to 12 credits of college-designated career and technical education (CTE) courses. Note: Some courses are considered career technical courses and have limitations within this degree, they are designated with "CTE" in the Course Description area of this catalog. A maximum of nine (9) credits of PE185 sport/activity courses may be applied to the AAOT degree. All Honors courses may substitute for their equivalent requirements.

Courses that are developmental in nature (designed to prepare students for college transfer courses) are not applicable to this degree.

Students must complete the graduation application process one term prior to the term of completion (e.g., spring term graduates must apply during winter term).

Math and writing placement are unique to each student and are determined during the admissions and intake advising process.  Additional math or writing courses may be required prior to taking the math or writing program requirements in this degree. 

Program Guide 

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Science options: 3 sciences are required, and must include a biology and an earth science with a lab. Biological science options include: BI101, BI102, BI103 , BI201, BI202, BI203. Earth science options include: GS104, GS105, GS106, GS107, GS108. Third option includes: PH201, PH202, PH203, CHEM221, CHEM222, CHEM223 or any other science listed here.

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MTH211, MTH212, MTH213 are offered every other year, beginning in 21-22 school year. Consult your advisor for details.

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ANTH221 may be substituted for GEOG105.

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Any course from the AAOT Arts & Letters Discipline list.

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Free Electives to reach 90 credits. Recommended Electives: ED135, ED134, ECE150, ED154, ECE151, ECE154, HDFS140, HDFS229, HDFS222 (Up to 12 credit of CTE courses are allowable). See an advisor for specific university requirements.

Student Program Learning Outcomes

Arts & Letters

• Interpret and engage in the Arts & Letters, making use of the creative process to enrich the quality of life; and
• Critically analyze values and ethics within a range of human experience and expression to engage more fully in local and global issues.

Cultural Literacy

• Identify and analyze complex practices, values, and beliefs and the culturally and historically defined meanings of difference.

Mathematics

• Use appropriate mathematics to solve problems; and
• Recognize which mathematical concepts are applicable to a scenario, apply appropriate mathematics and technology in its analysis, and then accurately interpret, validate, and communicate the results.

Science or Computer Science

• Gather, comprehend, and communicate scientific and technical information in order to explore ideas, models, and solutions and generate further questions;
• Apply scientific and technical modes of inquiry, individually, and collaboratively, to critically evaluate existing or alternative explanations, solve problems, and make evidence-based decisions in an ethical manner; and
• Assess the strengths and weaknesses of scientific studies and critically examine the influence of scientific and technical knowledge on human society and the environment.

Social Science

• Apply analytical skills to social phenomena in order to understand human behavior; and
• Apply knowledge and experience to foster personal growth and better appreciate the diverse social world in which we live. 

Speech/Oral Communication

• Engage in ethical communication processes that accomplish goals;
• Respond to the needs of diverse audiences and contexts; and
• Build and manage relationships.

Writing

• Read actively, think critically, and write purposefully and capably for academic and, in some cases, professional audiences;
• Locate, evaluate, and ethically utilize information to communicate effectively; and
• Demonstrate appropriate reasoning in response to complex issues.

Information Literacy

• Formulate a problem statement;
• Determine the nature and extent of the information needed to address the problem;
• Access relevant information effectively and efficiently;
• Evaluate information and its source critically; and
• Understand many of the economic, legal, and social issues surrounding the use of information.