You’ve always thought about becoming a teacher. Now, you’re ready to start college – and want to know a little more about teaching. Our Associate of Arts with a concentration in Elementary Education* degree program can give you that insight, and prepare you to move forward with your dream. While this degree program does not prepare you for licensure or certification as a teacher, you will gain foundational knowledge about the American education system and teaching as a profession. The AAEE is a great way to get started on your educational journey. University of Phoenix offers an Associate of Arts degree with a range of concentrations in business, criminal justice, education, health and human services, information technology, and more. The curriculum provides a foundation and overview within the academic disciplines of communication arts, social sciences, mathematics, life sciences, and the humanities. Instruction focuses on the development of student skills in writing, critical thinking, and information utilization, as well as foundational competencies in the selected concentration. The Associate of Arts with a concentration in Elementary Education addresses major issues that impact student learning. Topics include the historical and philosophical contexts of contemporary education, contemporary issues in education, diversity in the classroom, and the exceptional learner. Students are required to apply writing and problem-solving skills to evaluate topics covered through written assignments, discussion, and debate. Students learn to communicate effectively in informal, formal, and quantitative contexts and will become conversant with the values and terminology of the field. Where available, this program prepares students for transition into the Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education degree program at University of Phoenix. Nine weeks in length, courses are offered in pairs, or "blocks," designed to complement each other. In these courses, emphasis alternates weekly between reading and online discussion one week and a work project the next. The completion of an Associate of Arts degree represents an important milestone for many students as they pursue their educational goals.

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