Jun 16, 2026

2026-2027 Catalog

Secondary Education- Social Studies A.S.T.

Tennessee Transfer Pathways TBR Community Colleges to Tennessee Public Universities
Community College Area of Emphasis: Secondary Social Studies A.S.T. Degree

UTK does not accept this as a TTP.

Contact Information: Program Office 615-353-3400, Program Site, E-mail: kurstin.bush@nscc.edu

The Associate of Science in Teaching (A.S.T.) Degree is designed as a transfer degree for students who wish to pursue a career in one of the secondary Social Studies education endorsement areas teaching in public and private schools. The graduate with an A.S.T. degree will have completed the first two years of a four-year degree that is required for teacher certification in secondary education in Tennessee. Students who earn the A.S.T. can transfer to any of the six state universities and are prepared to interview and be accepted into the university’s teacher education program. The A.S.T. degree courses are likely to transfer but are not guaranteed outside the public university system. It is always best to contact your selected transfer university as early as possible.

Graduates of the program should be able to:

Transfer to a four-year university to earn a degree in one of the secondary Social Studies education endorsement areas; and
Meet requirements for admission into teacher education programs licensure.

Admission Requirements

Students must meet regular degree-seeking admission requirements for the Associate of Science in Teaching degree.

Graduation Requirements

Students earning an AST degree must meet the following additional degree requirements:

Attainment of a 2.75 cumulative grade point average (GPA).
ACT composite score of 21 (or SAT score of 1080) or higher or successful completion of approved standardized examination. (Praxis Core) for admission to the university’s College of Education.
Satisfactory ratings on an index of suitability for the teaching profession (disposition forms).

Transfer/Advising

Students should consult frequently with their advisors to insure completion of all requirements for this degree. Failure to do so could result in a loss of credits in the transfer process. Students transferring to a public university in Tennessee may need to meet additional requirements to gain admittance to the university.

General Education Requirements

Communication- 9 Credits

ENGL 1010 - English Composition I 3 Credits *
ENGL 1020 - English Composition II 3 Credits *
Any approved Communication general education course* 3 Credits

Humanities & Fine Arts (minimum 1 course in literature) - 9 Credits

Any approved Literature general education course* 3 Credits
Any approved Art or Music general education course* 3 Credits
Any approved Humanities general education course* 3 Credits

Social/Behavioral Sciences - 6 Credits

SOCI 1010 - Introduction to Sociology 3 Credits *
OR
POLS 1030 - American Government 3 Credits *
Any approved Geography general education course* 3 Credits

History – 6 Credits

HIST 2010 - Early United States History 3 Credits
HIST 2020 - Modern United States History 3 Credits

Natural Sciences*** - 8 Credits

Any approved Natural Sciences general education course with lab* 4 Credits
Any approved Natural Sciences general education course with lab* 4 Credits

Mathematics - 3 Credits

Any approved Math general education course* 3 Credits

General Education Total - 41 Credits

Area of Emphasis Requirements

EDUC 2000 - Introduction to Education 3 Credits
EDUC 2210 - Educational Psychology 3 Credits

Other approved educational course³3 Credits

PSYC 2130 - Lifespan Development Psychology 3 Credits
HIST 2310 - Early World History 3 Credits
HIST 2320 - Modern World History 3 Credits
ECON 2100 - Principles of Macroeconomics 3 Credits *
ECON 2200 - Principles of Microeconomics 3 Credits *
Elective 1 Credit

Area of Emphasis Total - 19 Credits

Required: NSCC 1010- First Year Experience 1 Credit

NSCC 1010 - First Year Experience 1 Credit

Total - 61 Credits

Notes:

Additional course requirements: The Tennessee Board of Regents requires that students either demonstrate the appropriate skill levels in math, reading, and/or writing before enrolling in college-level courses or enroll in appropriate co-requisite experiences with college-level courses to develop competency in those skills while performing college-level work. ACT/SAT scores, ACCUPLACER test scores, COMPASS test scores, or other relevant information determine whether a student needs to enroll in co-requisite courses in math, reading, and/or writing (English).

* This course is part of the general education core.

MTSU requires a 22 on the ACT.

1. Students pursuing a licensure area in Government or who plan to transfer to UTC or TTU should take POLS 1030: American Government.

2. Because there are multiple areas of licensure in Social Studies, please read the following statements carefully: Students who plan to transfer to UTK should follow the History AS TTP for all social studies-related licensures.

3. Students interested in transferring to MTSU are recommended to take Tennessee History.