Curriculum

TSTC Curriculum

Link to this page

Print

Printer Friendly

Education & Training

The Education & Training program is designed to prepare students to meet the demands of an increasingly competitive and intellectually challenging future through educational and personal growth, practical skills development, academic courses, and career preparation.

The Associate of Applied Science degree is a 69-semester hour program. This program is unique to the Rio Grande Valley in two ways. It allows students to gain specialized training in one of five developed educational areas of emphasis. Secondly, the program is comprised of educational classes with technical labs for hands-on learning. The students will create and develop instructional materials ready to be used in the school setting utilizing a variety of state-of-the-art media and technical resources. The Associate Degree provides students with the opportunity to continue their education towards a Bachelor Degree and teacher certification.

Admissions Requirements

Students must complete the admissions requirements listed under "Admissions Information."


Associate of Applied Science Degree - 2011				Lec	Lab	Cont	Credit
Semester 1
	EDTC	1301	Educational Systems A study of the role and responsibilities of educational personnel with emphasis on development of professionalism and effective communication strategies with adults. Topics include the various codes of ethics governing the educational field, the issue of confidentiality, learners' rights and responsibilities, and challenges facing schools.	2	4	96	3
	EDTC	1341	Instructional Technology and Computer Applications Examination of specialized educational technology. Topics include the integration of educational computer terminology, system operations, software, and multimedia in the contemporary classroom environment.	2	2	64	3
	HRPO	1311	Human Relations † Practical application of the principles and concepts of the behavioral sciences to interpersonal relationships in the business and industrial environment.	3	0	48	3
	ENGL	1301	Composition I † Principles and techniques of written, expository, and persuasive composition; analysis of literary, expository, and persuasive texts; and critical thinking. Prerequisites: Grade of C or better in READ 0200 and WRIT 0200 or English placement test equivalent.	3	0	48	3
	HIST	1301	U. S. History I † Survey of the political, social, economic, military, cultural, and intellectual history of the United States from the discovery of America to the present. This course provides an integration of social, political and economic history of the United States. Course topics include discovery, the colonial period; the American Revolution; establishment of the nation; political, territorial and socio-economic growth; the sectional controversy, the Civil War, and the reconstruction in the South to 1877. Prerequisites: READ 0200 or English placement test equivalent.	3	0	48	3
	Total Hours			13	6	304	15
Semester 2
	CDEC	1359	Children with Special Needs A survey of information regarding children with special needs including possible causes and characteristics of exceptionalities, intervention strategies, available resources, referral processes, the advocacy role, and legislative issues.	2	4	96	3
	EDTC	2311	Instructional Practices and Effective Learning Environments General principles for selecting developmentally appropriate strategies in core curriculum areas, planning the classroom environment, and instructional accommodations and modifications. Topics address methods for supporting instructional planning and implementation of educational goals and objectives. Also examines cooperative learning strategies.	2	4	96	3
	HIST	1302	U. S. History II † Survey of the political, social, economic, military, cultural, and intellectual history of the United States from the discovery of America to the present. This course provides as integration of social, political and economic history of the United States. Course topics include the growth of transportation and industry; the agrarian protest and movement toward economic and political reform; the creation of an overseas empire; the United States in two world wars; and the cold War and the role of the United States as a dominant world power. Prerequisites: READ 0200 or English placement test equivalent.	3	0	48	3
			General Education Elective †	3	0	48	3
			Speech Elective † *	3	0	48	3
	Total Hours			13	8	336	15
Semester 3
	EDTC	1307	Introduction to Teaching Reading General principles of reading instruction. Topics include emergent literacy, reading readiness, reading instruction, literacy-based environments, and a review of varied materials and techniques for teaching reading.	2	4	96	3
	TECA	1354	Child Growth & Development A study of the physical, emotional, social, and cognitive factors impacting growth and development of children through adolescence.	3	0	48	3
	GOVT	2301	American Government I † Introduction to the theory and practice of politics and government in America at the national, state, and local levels, with special attention to Texas. Topics include political theory, the American and Texas constitutions, federalism, political participation and elections, the institutions of government, and domestic and foreign policies. Prerequisites: READ 0200 or English placement test equivalent.	3	0	48	3
	MATH	1314	College Algebra † * Study of quadratics; polynomial, rational, logarithmic, and exponential functions; systems of equations; progressions; sequences and series; and matrices and determinants. Prerequisite: Grade of C or better in DMTH 0200 or Math placement test equivalent.	3	0	48	3
			Area of Emphasis # 1 (from list below)	2	2	64	3
	Total Hours			13	6	304	15
Semester 4
	EDTC	1394	Special Topics: Teaching Math and Science in the Elementary School This course examines the role of the paraprofessional educator when working with teachers, administrators, parents and students. Topics include legal, administrative, educational, and interpersonal issues.	2	4	96	3
	EDTC	2317	Guiding Student Behavior A study of developmentally appropriate direct and indirect guidance techniques for use in various school environments. Topics include identification of causes of inappropriate behavior, establishing and managing routines, the environment's role in promoting positive behavior, promoting self-esteem negotiation/conflict resolution strageties, and enhancing positive self-direction. Emphasis in implementation of a behavior management plan.	2	4	96	3
	GOVT	2302	American Government II Continuation of the theory and practice of politics and government in America at the national, state, and local levels, with special attention to Texas. Topics include political theory, the American and Texas constitutions, federalism, political participation and elections, the institutions of government, and domestic and foreign policies. Prerequisites: READ 0200 or English placement test equivalent.	3	0	48	3
			General Education Elective †	3	0	48	3
			Area of Emphasis # 2 (from list below)	3	0	48	3
	Total Hours			13	8	336	15
Semester 5
	EDTC	1364	Practicum: Teacher Assistant/Aide ° ‡ * Practical, general workplace training supported by an individualized learning plan developed by the employer, college, and student.	0	21	336	3
			Humanities/Fine Arts Elective †	3	0	48	3
			Social/Behavioral Sciences Elective †	3	0	48	3
	Total Hours			6	21	432	9

Grand Totals				58	49	1712	69

Track Courses
			Emphasis in Bilingual Education
	EDTC	1321	Bilingual Education An overview of bilingual education. Topics include awareness of cultural diversity, assessment strategies, teaching techniques, instructional activity development, and historical/philosophical concepts of bilingual/bicultural education.	2	2	64	3
	EDTC	1325	Principles and Practices of Multicultural Education An examination of cultural diversity found in society and reflected in the classroom. Topics include the study of major cultures and their influence on lifestyle, behavior, learning, intercultural communication and teaching, as well as psychosocial stressors encountered by diverse cultural groups.	3	0	48	3

			Emphasis in Early Childhood Education
	CDEC	1321	The Infant & Toddler A study of appropriate infant and toddler programs (birth to age 3), including an overview of development, quality routines, appropriate environments, materials and activities, and teaching/guidance techniques.	3	0	48	3
	CDEC	1356	Emergent Literacy for Early Childhood An exploration of principles, methods, and materials for teaching young children language and literacy through a play-based integrated curriculum.	2	4	96	3

			Emphasis in General Education
	EDTC	2305	Reading Problems In-depth coverage of reading difficulties. Emphasis on the theories, strategies, recognition, and remediation of reading problems. Topics include assessment, direct instruction, and motivational/interactive literacy activities.	2	4	96	3
	EDTC	1393	Special Topics: Teaching Math and Science in the Elementary School This course covers practical approaches for introducing math and science concepts in an elementary classroom lab environment with an emphasis on problem solving, inquiry, and critical thinking. Topics include basic math and science concepts and properties, diagnostic testing, pedagogy, and recognizing and recommending corrective teaching strategies.	3	0	48	3

			Emphasis in Students with Special Needs
	CDEC	2340	Instructional Techniques for Children with Special Needs Exploration of development and implementation of curriculum for children with special needs.	2	4	96	3
	EDTC	1395	Special Topics: Behavior Management for Students with Special Needs Topics address recently identified current events, skills, knowledges, and/or attitudes and behaviors pertinent to the technology or occupation and relevant to the professional development of the student. This course was designed to be repeated multiple times to improve student proficiency.	3	0	48	3


Notes
º This course has been designated as the capstone course † Courses articulated with high schools ‡ Course with external learning experience * SPCH Elective Suggested SPCH 1315 * MATH 1314 or (BIOL 1308 and BIOL 1108) or (BIOL 1309 and BIOL 1109) * EDTC 1364 or (EDTC 1164 and EDTC 1264)

Student from Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Technology.