Tennessee Transfer Pathways TBR Community Colleges to UT and TBR Four-Year Universities
Community College Area of Emphasis: Early Childhood Education (Pre K-3) A.S.T. Degree

Associate of Science in Teaching (A.S.T.) Pre-K – 3^rd Curriculum

Contact Information: Program Office 615-353-3020, E-mail: earlychildhood@nscc.edu, Program Site

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 early childhood education teaching children in Pre-K through third grade 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 early childhood education in Tennessee. A student who completes all the courses listed in this Tennessee Transfer Pathway will earn an A.S.T. in Pre-K – 3rd grade at NSCC. A student with an A.S.T. is prepared to interview and be accepted into the university’s teacher education program. It is important 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 early childhood Pre-K – 3rd grade; and
• Meet requirements for admission into teacher education programs for Pre-K – 3rd licensure.

Admission Requirements

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

Graduation Requirements

To earn the A.S.T. degree, the student must:

• Successfully complete the required course of study as outlined in the catalog;
• Attain a 2.75 cumulative grade point average;
• Successfully complete the CORE Exam or have a 22 on the ACT or 1020 on the SAT; and
• Receive a satisfactory rating on an index of suitability for the teaching profession.

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.