Elementary Education Foundations

Recommended Course of Study

Transfer Pathway A.S.

Note: Not all courses will be available every semester. Visit our Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MnTC) page for a complete list of MnTC Goal Area course choices.

2023-2024 Required Courses

Semester 1

Course # Course Name Credit(s)
  EDU 1109
Introduction to Education & Reflective Teaching
4

Course Outline
Credits: 4
Gives prospective educators and school paraprofessionals perspective on the rewards and challenges of teaching, including critical issues facing teaching and learning in today's schools. Class lectures/discussions, course readings, guest speakers, and field experiences will focus on such topics as educational equity, the achievement gap, poverty, diversity, resiliency, cultural awareness, using the community as a resource, effective teaching, school improvement, the importance of engaging in reflective teaching, and opportunities to further explore personal motivations for becoming a teacher. Participants are introduced to education through case studies and first-hand accounts of teaching and learning in schools, including an exploration of the impact that larger social systems have on schools, teachers, and students and their families. In addition to attending the weekly 3-hour class lecture/discussion, students will complete a minimum of 30 Service Learning hours in a school setting. They will also use eFolio Minnesota to create a multimedia electronic portfolio to reflect upon their Service Learning experiences. This course will include completion of MTLE Basic Skills practice tests in Reading, Mathematics, and Writing, in preparation for Minnesota teacher licensure requirements. This course meets the Minnesota Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board (PELSB) 8710.3200, Subp. 3, Standard A2, 3, 8710.2000, Subp. 3, Standard 2C, Subp. 5, Standard 4B, Subp. 6, Standard 5A, 5F, Subp. 10, Standard 9A, Subp. 11, Standard 10A, B, F, L.

Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Future Offering:

  • Fall 2023
  • Spring 2024
  • Fall 2024
  • Spring 2025

  ENG 1108
Writing And Research Skills
4

Course Outline
Credits: 4
MNTC Goal Areas: 01, 02
Provides instruction and practice in reading, researching, and writing for college.

Prerequisites:


Corequisites:
  • ENG 0108 Workshop for Writing and Research Skills

Future Offering:
  • Summer 2023
  • Fall 2023
  • Spring 2024
  • Summer 2024
  • Fall 2024
  • Spring 2025

  PSYC 1215
Child and Adolescent Psychology
3

Course Outline
Credits: 3
MNTC Goal Areas: 05, 07
Explores the basic development in the physical, cognitive and psychosocial areas from conception through adolescence. Pertinent theories, studies, and methodologies are addressed. This course and Adulthood and Aging Psychology (PSYC 1220) provide a comprehensive study of Lifespan Development. Prereq: Recommended PSYC 1101 or PSYC 1201.

Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Future Offering:

  • Fall 2023
  • Spring 2024
  • Fall 2024
  • Spring 2025

  BIOL 1117
Environmental Science (with lab)
4

Course Outline
Credits: 4
MNTC Goal Areas: 03, 10
Introduces students to fundamental concepts in ecology focusing on human impact and exploitation of the environment stressing the limits of the biosphere with respect to resources, energy, and pollution. Activities may include discussion, group activities, guest speakers and films. One semester credit of lab includes field trips and analysis of factors using the campus landscape. This course is open to all students and meets the Minnesota Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board (PELSB) 8710.3200, Subp. 3, Standard J1, J2 a, b, c, d, e, f, J3, J4 J5, J6, H1 a, b, c, H2 a, b, H3 a, b, c, d, H4 a, b, H5 a, b, H6 a, b, H7 a, b, c, d.

Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Future Offering:

  • Summer 2023
  • Fall 2023
  • Spring 2024
  • Summer 2024
  • Fall 2024
  • Spring 2025

Total Credits in Semester 1 15

Semester 2

Course # Course Name Credit(s)
  EDU 1141
Learning Technology for Educators
2

Course Outline
Credits: 2
Examines the historical and current contexts for applications of educational technology, including the research, resources, issues and trends shaping the role of educational technology in today's classrooms. Course readings, class discussions, guest speakers, and course assignments will focus on topics such as the foundations for effective technology integration, the National Educational Technology Standards, and the enhancement of teaching and learning through the successful integration of current and future educational technology across the curriculum. Students will investigate and critically evaluate selected software, multimedia/hypermedia, distance/online learning, and Internet/web-based applications as tools to actively and cognitively engage all learners. Students will use eFolio to develop a multimedia electronic portfolio to document and reflect upon their technology competence. This course meets requirements for Minnesota Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board (PELSB). Prerequisites: Recommended concurrent or previous enrollment in EDU 1109.

Prerequisites:

  • EDU 1109 Introduction to Education & Reflective Teaching

Corequisites: None
Future Offering:
  • Fall 2023
  • Spring 2024
  • Fall 2024
  • Spring 2025

  EDU 1143
Multicultural Education / Human Relations
3

Course Outline
Credits: 3
Emphasizes the development of classroom teachers who are multiculturally informed, gender fair, and disability aware. Examines issues such as racism, sexism, oppression, prejudice and discrimination. The course aims to increase students' capacity to identify, discuss, and reflect on the ethical dimensions of political, social and personal life and to examine the responsibility of classroom teachers to practice productive citizenship. Emphasis is on demonstrating multicultural competence required of all successful teachers working with diverse youth. Designed to meet State of Minnesota human relations requirement for teacher licensure. This course meets the Minnesota Processional Educator Licensing and Standards board (PELSB) 8710.2000, Subp. 5, Standard 4B, Subp. 6, Standard 5A, Subp. 4, Standard 3D, E, F, G, H, J, Q, Subp. 6, Standard 5B, Subp. 7, Standard 6B, Subp. 3, Standard 2A, 2B, 2C.

Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Future Offering:

  • Fall 2023
  • Spring 2024
  • Fall 2024
  • Spring 2025

  COMM 1100
Interpersonal Communication
3

Course Outline
Credits: 3
MNTC Goal Areas: 01, 07
Is a course that helps students recognize that we live and work in relationship with others and must communicate effectively with them to achieve our goals. This class helps students acquire the skills to effectively communicate with family members, intimate others, co-workers, friends, and acquaintances. After reviewing relevant interpersonal theory, students will examine and identify their own communication attitudes and behaviors. Students will also learn and apply techniques for improving communication in their relationships through active practice. Students will participate in multiple activities, both in and outside the classroom setting, to build their interpersonal communication skills. This course is open to all students and meets the Minnesota Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board (PELSB) 8710.2000, Subp. 7, Standard 6C, D, F, & G.

Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Future Offering:

  • Summer 2023
  • Fall 2023
  • Spring 2024
  • Summer 2024
  • Fall 2024
  • Spring 2025

  MATH 1107
Mathematical Foundations
4

Course Outline
Credits: 4
MNTC Goal Areas: 02, 04
Includes the topics: analysis of the problem solving process; sets and number systems; operations, properties, and computation with the real numbers and their classic subsets; number theory; decimals, ratio, proportion, and percents; statistics; probability; measurement; relations, functions and patterns; algebra models; geometric shapes; and applications. This course can be used for prospective elementary education majors and liberal arts students. This course meets the Minnesota Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board (PELSB) 8710.3200, Subp. 3, Standard H1 a, b, c, H2 a, b, H3 a, b, c, d, H4 a, b, H5 a, b, H6 a, b, H7 a, b, c, d. Prerequisite: Recommendation based on the results of the Inver Hills Assessment Test or grade of "C" or higher in MATH 0840 within the last 2 years.

Prerequisites:


Corequisites: None
Future Offering:
  • Spring 2024
  • Spring 2025

  SOC 1127
Social Inequalities: Race, Class, & Gender
3

Course Outline
Credits: 3
MNTC Goal Areas: 05, 07
Describes and analyzes selected inequality relationships in the United States. Topic areas will include economic inequality-poverty; ethnic inequality-racism; and gender inequality-sexism. This course is open to all students and meets the Minnesota Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board (PELSB) 8710.3200, Subp. 3, Standard 12a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i, j.

Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Future Offering:

  • Summer 2023
  • Fall 2023
  • Spring 2024
  • Summer 2024
  • Fall 2024
  • Spring 2025

Total Credits in Semester 2 15

Semester 3

Course # Course Name Credit(s)
  EDU 2018
Instructional Strategies for Diverse Learners
3

Course Outline
Credits: 3
Examines research-based instructional strategies for successfully meeting the varying needs of students from economically, ethnically, culturally, and linguistically diverse groups. Course content will focus on how students will learn and develop including learning opportunities that support student intellectual, social, and personal development. This course will also explore individual and group motivation to create learning environments that create positive social interactive active engagement in learning. Learning opportunities will be explored that support student intellectual, social and personal development. This course is designed for prospective educators, teachers, and school paraprofessionals interested in developing the knowledge and skills necessary to work effectively with students from diverse backgrounds. This course meets the Minnesota Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board (PELSB) 8710.2000, Subp. 3, Standard 2A, B, C Subp.6, Standard 5A.

Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Future Offering:

  • Fall 2023
  • Spring 2024
  • Fall 2024
  • Spring 2025

  GEOL 1101
Physical Geology
4

Course Outline
Credits: 4
MNTC Goal Areas: 03, 10
Studies the nature, properties, and processes that shape and alter the Earth. Analysis and study of the nature and character of materials composing the Earth; and processes that have formed, altered, and transformed the Earth's surface. This course is open to all students and meets the Minnesota Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board (PELSB) 8710.3200, Subp. 3, Standard J1, J2 a, b, c, d, e, f, J3, J4.

Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Future Offering:

  • Summer 2023
  • Fall 2023
  • Spring 2024
  • Summer 2024
  • Fall 2024
  • Spring 2025

  MUSC 2220
Music Education and Pedagogy
3

Course Outline
Credits: 3
MNTC Goal Areas: 02, 06
Focuses on the knowledge and skills needed for anyone to experience, understand, produce, discuss and enjoy various forms of music with young children. Examines the characteristics of age-appropriate music activities, how music can integrate with other disciplines, and how to teach music to others. Incorporates music concepts, basic structural elements, principles and vocabulary of music, and current pedagogical practices. The course assumes no musical background and is an introductory course for prospective elementary educators, classroom paraprofessionals or teachers, and other students interested in learning how music pedagogy works. This course is open to all students and meets the Minnesota Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board (PELSB) 8710.3000 sub part 3, section D, #8,b for early childhood education; and 8710.3200 sub part 3, g for elementary education.

Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Future Offering:

  • Spring 2024
  • Spring 2025

  HLTH 1130
Drug Use and Abuse
3

Course Outline
Credits: 3
Provides an overview of the fundamental concepts in drug use and abuse. The course will focus on the drugs of abuse that are most commonly used in the United States and will emphasize the physiological, social, psychological, legal, and health aspects of drug use and abuse. Special attention will be focused on the motivations of drug use/abuse for college students. Critical thinking and communication skills will be emphasized to explain and reinforce personal health choices. This course is open to all students and meets the Minnesota Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board (PELSB) 8710.3200, Subp. 3, Standard K2 8710.2000, Subp. 11, Standard 10E.

Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Future Offering:

  • Summer 2023
  • Fall 2023
  • Spring 2024
  • Summer 2024
  • Fall 2024
  • Spring 2025

  ENG 1111
  ENG 1114
  ENG 1130
Research Writing    OR

The Research Paper    OR

Writing and Research For the Professions
3

Research Writing
Course Outline
Credits: 2
MNTC Goal Areas: 01, 02
Students will analyze primary and secondary sources and develop formal research writing in students' academic and/or professional disciplines including EMS, Paralegal, and Criminal Justice. Prerequisites: ENG 1108 or equivalent, with grade of C or better.

Prerequisites:

  • ENG 0101 Composition I: Expository Writing
  • ENG 1108 Writing And Research Skills

Corequisites: None
Future Offering:
  • Summer 2023
  • Fall 2023
  • Spring 2024
  • Summer 2024
  • Fall 2024
  • Spring 2025

The Research Paper
Course Outline
Credits: 3
MNTC Goal Areas: 01, 02
Emphasizes critical analysis of fiction or nonfiction texts, at least one book-length, resulting in a research paper that reflects analysis and synthesis of multiple sources. Prereq: Grade of C or higher in ENG 1108.

Prerequisites:

  • ENG 0101 Composition I: Expository Writing
  • ENG 1108 Writing And Research Skills

Corequisites: None
Future Offering:
  • Summer 2023
  • Fall 2023
  • Spring 2024
  • Summer 2024
  • Fall 2024
  • Spring 2025

Writing and Research For the Professions
Course Outline
Credits: 3
MNTC Goal Areas: 01, 02
Emphasizes critical audience analysis of professional texts across the disciplines, at least one book length, resulting in a professional research proposal, feasibility study, or report that reflects analysis and synthesis of multiple sources, persuasion, and students' mastery of professional and audience analysis, business writing, researching, and evaluative skills. Prerequisites: ENG 1108 or equivalent, with grade of C or better.

Prerequisites:

  • ENG 1108 Writing And Research Skills

Corequisites: None
Future Offering:
  • Fall 2023
  • Spring 2024
  • Fall 2024
  • Spring 2025

Total Credits in Semester 3 16

Semester 4

Course # Course Name Credit(s)
  ART 1100
Introduction to Art
3

Course Outline
Credits: 3
MNTC Goal Areas: 06, 08
Explores the visual arts of a wide range of peoples, cultures, styles, movements, and media, as well as the various cultural, religious, economic, and political factors related to their creation. Major works of painting, sculpture, architecture, and decorative arts from prehistory to the present will be studied. This course is open to all students and meets the Minnesota Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board (PELSB) 8710.3200, Subp. 3, Standard L 1, 2, 4, Visual Arts.

Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Future Offering:

  • Fall 2023
  • Spring 2024
  • Fall 2024
  • Spring 2025

General Education Credits (MnTC Goal 5)
3



Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Future Offering: None

General Education Credits (MnTC Goal 6b)
3



Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Future Offering: None

General Education Credits (MnTC Goal 9)
3



Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Future Offering: None

General Education Credits (Any MnTC Goal Area)
2



Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Future Offering: None

Total Credits in Semester 4 14
Total Credits: 60
‡ Select General Education electives from specified MnTC goal area or from any MnTC goals if none specified.