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Trinidad State College

ElementaryTeacherEducation

Earn your Associate of Arts and transfer seamlessly into a Bachelor’s program. Build the foundation for a career shaping young minds, with guaranteed transfer to Colorado public four-year institutions.

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Elementary
AA Degree • Transfer Ready • 60 Credits

Why Choose Elementary Teacher Education at TSC?

This Associate of Arts degree is designed to complete the lower-division requirements for a Bachelor of Arts in education, giving you a strong foundation before you transfer.

Solid Academic Foundation

Build essential knowledge in educational theory, child development, and instructional strategies that prepare you to transfer and succeed toward a BA degree.

Critical Thinking & Teaching Excellence

Develop reflective practice and effective teaching methods grounded in current research, equipping you to become a thoughtful, innovative educator.

Appreciation of Diversity

Learn to create inclusive classrooms that respect and celebrate the unique backgrounds, abilities, and perspectives of every student.

Comprehensive Curriculum

Coursework spans educational psychology, classroom management, curriculum design, and assessment techniques for a holistic view of the field.

Guaranteed Transfer

Structured for seamless transfer to Colorado public four-year institutions, so your credits carry forward without surprises.

Career Preparation

Beyond academics, the program builds the practical skills and professional dispositions needed to support every learner in an engaging classroom.

Program Cost

Tuition rates are identical at Trinidad and Valley campuses. Fees vary slightly by campus and credit load — see the full schedule for exact per-term totals. Course-specific fees (lab materials, software, certification exams) vary by program and are charged per course. Estimates do not include books, supplies, or room and board. Rates are for 2025–2026 and subject to change.
In-State Resident
$175/cr hr
$291/cr hr minus $116 COF stipend
Must be a Colorado resident to qualify for the Colorado Opportunity Fund (COF).
WUE Student
$288/cr hr
$403.50/cr hr minus $116 COF stipend
Western Undergraduate Exchange rate for residents of AK, AZ, CA, HI, ID, MT, NV, NM, ND, OR, SD, UT, WA, WY & US Pacific territories. Learn more at wiche.edu
Out-of-State
$292/cr hr
Standard non-resident rate
COF stipend does not apply. Financial aid, scholarships, and payment plans are available to all students regardless of residency.
Apply Now Course Specific Fees › Explore Financial Aid & Scholarships › Trinidad Tuition Schedule (PDF) › Valley Tuition Schedule (PDF) ›

Where You Can Study

This program is offered at the following TSC campus locations.

TrinidadTrinidad, CO 81082
Trinidad Campus
Address: 600 Prospect StPhone: (719) 846-5011
ValleyAlamosa, CO 81101
Valley Campus
Address: 1011 Main StPhone: (719) 589-7000

Elementary Teacher Education Transfer Major - Associate of Arts

Click any semester to see the full course list.

Program Code:AA_AAConcentration:DEMTCIP Code:13.1202
1

Semester One

English composition, integrated math, and public speaking, rounded out by a history elective and a geography elective.

15credit hours
⌄
  • ENG 1021 – English Composition I: GT-CO1 (3 credits)
  • MAT 1220 – Integrated Math I: GT-MA1 REQUIRED (3 credits)
  • COM 1150 – Public Speaking (3 credits)

Choose one: (3 credits)

  • HIS 1210 – U.S. History to Reconstruction: GT-HI1
  • HIS 1220 – U.S History Since the Civil War: GT-Hl1

Choose one: (3 credits)

  • GEO 1005 – World Regional Geography: GT-SS2
  • GEO 1006 – Human Geography: GT-SS2
2

Semester Two

English Composition II, integrated math, child development, and children's literature, rounded out by an elective tailored to your transfer institution.

15credit hours
⌄
  • ENG 1022 – English Composition II: GT-CO1 (3 credits)
  • MAT 1230 – Integrated Math II: GT-MA1 REQUIRED (3 credits)
  • PSY 2441 – Child Development: GT-SS3 (3 credits)
  • LIT 2055  – Children's Literature (3 credits)
  • Elective – ** Check with receiving 4-year institution for specific elective courses needed (3 credits)
3

Semester Three

Integrated science, American government, and education foundations covering multicultural education, rounded out by an arts and humanities elective.

16credit hours
⌄
  • SCI 1055 – Integrated Science I - Physics and Chemistry with Lab: GT-SC1 REQUIRED (4 credits)
  • PSC 1011 – American Government: GT-SS1 (3 credits)
  • EDU 2211 – Introduction to Education (3 credits)
  • EDU 2341 – Multicultural Education (3 credits)

Choose one: (3 credits) (Addl. Arts/Hum)

  • ART 1110 – Art Appreciation: GT-AH1
  • MUS 1020 – Music Appreciation: GT-AH1
  • DAN 1025 – Dance Appreciation: GT-AH1
  • THE 1005 – Theatre Appreciation: GT-AH1
4

Semester Four

Integrated science, educational technology, and a field experience, rounded out by a literature or humanities elective.

14credit hours
⌄
  • SCI 1056 – Integrated Science II - Earth and Life Science with Lab: GT-SC1 (4 credits)
  • EDU 2611 – EDU 2611 Teaching, Learning, and Techonology (3 credits)
  • EDU 2088 – Field Exp, or any other 1 credit hour class (1 credit) (Elective — ** Check with receiving 4-year institution for specific elective courses needed)

Choose one: (3 credits) (ARTS & HUM REQUIREMENT AH2)

  • LIT 1015 – Introduction to Literature I: GT-AH2
  • LIT 2001 – World Literature to 1600: GT-AH2
  • HUM 1022 – Humanities: Med.-Mod: AH2
  • HUM 1021 – Humanities: Early Civ: AH2
  • HUM 1015 – World Mythology: AH2
Total Program Credits: 60

* This degree has specific requirements for grades on certain courses. Please visit CDHE Transfer Agreements for the most current information.

** Check with the receiving four-year institution for specific elective courses needed. It is the student’s responsibility to work with a transfer advisor to determine which electives are required for their transfer path.

Statewide Transfer Articulation Agreement

This A.A. degree transfers toward a Bachelor's Degree at the following Colorado public four-year institutions:

  • Adams State University
  • Colorado Mesa University
  • Colorado Mountain College
  • Colorado State University–Pueblo
  • Fort Lewis College
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver
  • University of Colorado Boulder
  • University of Colorado Colorado Springs
  • University of Colorado Denver
  • University of Northern Colorado
  • Western Colorado University

For the most current information on this transfer articulation agreement, visit CDHE Transfer Agreements.

Plan of Study

Where You'll Go

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Contact Us

Have questions about this program? Reach out to a faculty or staff member.

Dr. Emily Hammer portrait
Dr. Emily Hammer
(719) 589-7051
Valley