Catalog Year 2017-2018

If you want to be an elementary or secondary school teacher, you will be making a number of decisions: What age group do you want to teach? What subject do you want to teach? Will you transfer to a school with an undergraduate (four-year/bachelor’s) or graduate (fifth year/master’s) teaching program? Which school do you want to transfer to? The answer to these questions will help determine the appropriate courses to take. MHCC offers a number of education courses to help you determine if teaching is really for you and prepare you for transfer to a four-year university. Three courses, ED142, ED200 and ED209A/B, are recommended for students who want to more fully explore the profession before beginning an educational program.

Curricular Outcomes

At the completion of this curriculum, students should be able to:

• Demonstrate the reflective practitioner skills of observation and reflection
• Provide an educational plan for their preferred Teacher Education program

Teaching in the public school system requires a professional license from the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission (TSPC) requiring a bachelor’s or higher degree from an approved university program. TSPC requires particular coursework, tests and experiences depending upon the grade level and subject matter to be taught. Thus education program requirements vary widely at the baccalaureate level, so a student’s coursework must be planned in accordance with his or her chosen transfer institution. It is recommended that students work closely with the MHCC Education faculty adviser and their transfer institution to develop a meaningful course of study at MHCC. Failure to talk with both the MHCC Education faculty adviser and the transfer institution adviser often results in course credits that are not accepted, missing course requirements, wasted financial aid and time delays. In order to reduce many of these difficulties, students are strongly encouraged to complete an Associate of Arts Oregon Transfer degree with adviser help. ED142 Education Orientation and ED200 Introduction to Education are courses that should be taken early to help with planning what to take and where to transfer. Depending upon the transfer institution, these two courses are required or strongly suggested. These two courses, plus an early field experience taken as soon as possible, will help confirm that this is the correct profession for you and set you on the correct path.

Students interested in teaching at the elementary level (Pre-K to eighth grade) will want to follow a course of study that is multidisciplinary since they will teach many subjects. There are a number of Elementary Teacher Education programs in the Portland area. Eastern Oregon University (EOU) offers a Bachelor of Science in multidisciplinary studies and elementary education on the MHCC campus. Additional endorsements in Reading and ESOL are possible. See an EOU adviser located on MHCC’s Gresham Campus.

Students interested in teaching at the secondary level (middle or high school) will want to follow a course of study that reflects the major area they wish to teach (i.e., math, social science, science, health/PE, language arts, etc.).

It is very important to consult with education advisers at both MHCC and at the school you wish to transfer to as soon as possible since licensure and university requirements vary. Again, ED142 Education Orientation and ED200 Introduction to Education are courses that should be taken early to help with planning what to take and where to transfer.

Note: The following is not a complete list of courses needed to complete an AAOT degree. Please see MHCC faculty education adviser.

¹ Required by EOU and treated as an elective elsewhere.
² Oregon Administrative Rules require that students complete a measles immunization certificate before attendance at their school practicum site. Some school districts may require a criminal background check and fingerprinting.
³ This course is required for elementary education majors and has a prerequisite of MTH095 with a grade of “C” or better, or suitable performance on the mathematics placement exam.
⁴ This course is required for elementary education majors. All other education majors should check with their faculty advisers or transfer school.

Disclaimer
This information is meant to serve as a general guide for students intending to major in education. Specific requirements for transfer will vary from school to school. It is the student’s responsibility to contact his or her four-year transfer school to confirm specific admission requirements.