ASSOCIATE IN ARTS DEGREE (0001) – SPECIAL EDUCATION PRE-MAJOR

Are you planning to earn an Associate in Arts degree and then transfer to a four-year college or university to major in Special Education? We strongly encourage you to consult with a SWIC Advisor prior to enrolling each semester.  We also advise you to familiarize yourself with the specific requirements of the four-year institution where you plan to transfer.

Fulfill the General Education and other institutional requirements for the Associate in Arts degree listed in the printed or Online College Catalog. General Education course preferences may vary by transfer institution.

As you fulfill your degree requirements, it is strongly recommended that you take the following classes:

• MATH 105 and MATH 106 – Mathematics for Elementary Teachers I and II
• PSYC 151 – General Psychology
• POLS 150 – Intro to American Government
• HLTH 151 – Health
• BIOL 101 – Principles of Biology I
• HIST 180 and HIST 181 – U.S. History to 1865 and U.S. History since 1865
• ART 101 – Art Appreciation OR MUS 101 – Music Appreciation

Most four-year colleges and universities will accept the following classes as Special Education major credit:

• ED 255 – Introduction to Education
• ED 252 – Educational Psychology
• ED 265 – Introduction to Special Education

The optional courses listed below may be applicable toward a baccalaureate Special Education major. Please keep in mind that most transfer institutions limit the number of credit hours taken within a student’s major field of study at the community college level. To ensure the acceptance of such courses toward your intended major, check with the four-year institution where you are transferring or a SWIC Advisor regarding their applicability.

• ED 267 – Diversity in the 21st Century
• LIT 293 – Children’s Literature
• ED 280 – Literacy Methods

Fulfill all other Associate in Arts degree requirements listed in the printed or Online College Catalog.

Apply for graduation by the date published in the College Calendar.

Earn at least 64 transferable credits with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.00 to graduate from SWIC. Many transfer institutions require a higher GPA for admission to the institution and/or specific majors.
Note: Enrollment in many transfer classes is based on your score on the assessment placement test and/or your fulfillment of course prerequisites.

All intended transfer students should meet with an education counselor at their intended transfer institution as soon as possible for direct advising on course requirements. It is also recommended that all intended education transfer students take ED255 Introduction to Education and ED265 Introduction to Special Education (not at the same time) before transferring, in addition to any courses required/suggested in the course catalog. Both courses require fingerprint background checks (performed on campus as part of the course) and cleared TB tests (student responsibility to provide – must be no more than 1 year old); must be completed by end of first week of class.

For licensure and testing information, see the Illinois State Board of Education website, or contact your local Regional Office of Education.

Your course work from SWIC may be transferable to the following institutions:

• SIUE (Dual admission is available for seamless transfer.) The SIUE office is open at the SWIC Belleville Campus Main Complex. Contact Tricia Grissom (trgriss@siue.edu) for more information.
• Greenville College (UTEP program; junior/senior years to be offered at the SWIC Belleville Campus when possible.) An admissions counselor is at the Belleville Campus one day per week (office in LA faculty office area). Contact admissions counselor (utep.info@greenville.edu) for an appointment, or Barb Tackett for more information.
• McKendree Contact Elizabeth Ketchum (elketchum@mckendree.edu)
• Lindenwood University Contact Nicole Sullivan (nsullivan@lindenwood.edu)

For more information, please contact:

Jessica Day

Education Coordinator

Email: jessica.day@swic.edu