Teacher Education

Day/Evening program

The Associate in Arts Degree in Teacher Education offered by the Nashua Community College is designed to transfer to Teacher Education Programs at four-year colleges and Universities.

The Teacher Education Program at NCC has been designed using the NH Department of Education Professional Preparation Programs model and an interdisciplinary curriculum approach. The degree requirements include three categories:

1. General education
2. Education
3. A major concentration within the Liberal Arts.

The General Education component is a coherent and substantive balance in English and literature, science, mathematics, social science and humanities/fine arts/world language. The Education courses are identified and designed to transfer to most four-year colleges as well as provide the student with a beginning introduction to and understanding of the teaching profession. The Liberal Arts concentration will provide an in-depth study in a particular area based on the students' chosen teaching field.

The Teacher Education Program includes academic study and experiences to meet both Associate in Arts Degree requirements and the first two years of Bachelor Degree requirements in Teacher Education. Students should be aware that most four-year colleges require the successful completion of Praxis I examination as a condition of admission to their programs as well as a minimum grade point average, which is usually 2.5 or better. The student works closely with an academic advisor to design a choice and sequence of courses that best meets the specific requirements of their chosen teaching fields and transfer institution.

Future teachers are encouraged to gain practical experience with children in public school settings. In addition to completing the required observations and classroom experiences in the Education courses, it is recommended that students participate in the Service Learning opportunities that are offered in some of the General Education courses.

Students are advised that public schools require those participating in a public school setting be free of criminal convictions as required by the NH Department of Education. The student may incur fees in meeting this requirement. The college must ensure that students in the program do not put themselves or children in jeopardy during classroom observations, participation or Service Learning experiences. Students must demonstrate sufficient emotional and physical ability to respond quickly and appropriately to unexpected child and classroom related events.

An interview with the Education Department Chair is required for admission into the program.