Overview
Students doing pottery

Mission Statement: To cultivate compassionate, knowledgeable, and reflective individuals who are committed to fostering effective and engaging learning environments in K-12 schools.

An Associate of Arts (AA) in Education propels students on a journey to inspire and guide future generations. Given the high demand for qualified teachers, this transfer degree is an affordable, high-quality stepping stone to job security and meaningful community contributions.

An AA in Education will allow students seeking a degree in education to earn an associate of arts degree that will more readily transfer to four-year institutions. This degree program is designed for students who plan to transfer to earn their bachelor’s degree in education and a teaching certificate. Students will arrive at their transfer institution prepared to enroll in upper-division education courses. Students choose between an elementary and a secondary track.

What will our students be able to accomplish upon completing the program?

  • Utilize foundational knowledge of human development, teaching and learning theories and practices, technology in the classroom, cultural differences, and inclusive educational practices for diverse K-12 learners.
  • Identify educators’ professional roles and responsibilities, including observation and assessment, reflection, effective communication, ethical practice, and commitment to ongoing professional development.
  • Develop relevant knowledge, skills, and habits of mind to seek a four-year elementary teacher education program and/or career opportunity in the education field.

Why CEI’s Education Program:

  • Low tuition rates at $140/credit
  • Low instructor-to-student ratio
  • Aligned to state teacher education programs
  • Experienced and dedicated education professors
Requirements

Requirements

Some courses may require prerequisites or placement exams/processes. Please refer to the current CEI catalog or consult with your advisor for more information.

The Associate of Arts in Education is designed as a two-year transfer degree. Please consult with your advisor and the transfer advisor from the university to which you plan to transfer for further guidance. Although the scope and sequence align with four-year programs, some classes may require petitioning for credit when transferring to a four-year university.

Pass Classes: Students must pass their courses with a minimum grade of C- (70%) or higher.

Background Check: Pursuant to Idaho Code 33-130, individuals who may have unsupervised contact with K-12 students are required to undergo a criminal history check. The results of this background check must be on file with the college before a student is permitted to visit a school. This is a requirement for EDU 202: Field Experience.

Placement Scores: CEI utilizes standardized testing scores and placement processes to assign students to the appropriate level of math and English classes for their selected program (if applicable). Students may submit current SAT/ACT scores or take the ALEKS (math placement exam), The Write Class placement assessment, and/or the Accuplacer (English placement exam). Placement exam testing may be scheduled through the CEI Testing Center. Placement scores for basic college-level math and English courses are as follows:

ACTSATACCUPLACERALEKS
ENGL 101 PLUS< 19< 5000 - 249-
ENGL 10119-24500 - 620250+-
GEM Stamped MATH17+430+-46+

Elementary Track Scope and Sequence:

1st Fall Semester

Course Prefix & NumberCourse TitleCreditsTransfer/Technical
COMM 101Fundamentals of Oral Communication3Transfer
ENGL 101Writing and Rhetoric I      3Transfer
EDU 201Foundations in Education3Transfer
MATH 143       Precalculus I (or higher)3   Transfer
EDU 202Field Experience1Transfer
ELECProgram Elective1 to 3Transfer
 TOTAL14-16 

1st Spring Semester

Course Prefix & NumberCourse TitleCreditsTransfer/ Technical
ENGL 102       Writing and Rhetoric II  3Transfer
EDU 204Families, Communities & Culture3Transfer
SCI GE   GEM Science Course + Lab                       4Transfer
ELECProgram Elective3Transfer
PSYC 101       Introduction to Psychology3      Transfer
 TOTAL16 

2nd Fall Semester

Course Prefix & NumberCourse TitleCreditsTransfer/ Technical
EDU 215Educational Technology3Transfer
ELEC   Math 1573Transfer
HUM GEGEM Art & Humanities Class3Transfer
SOC GEGEM Social & Behavioral Class outside of PSYC3Transfer
PSYC 225Child Development3Transfer
 TOTAL15 
*Social & Behavioral courses must be from two different disciplines

2nd Spring Semester

Course Prefix & NumberCourse TitleCreditsTransfer/ Technical
ELECMath 2573Transfer
SCI GE  2nd GEM Science Course + lab4Transfer
HUM GE2nd GEM Art & Humanities Class3Transfer
EDU 225Literacy, Language, & Texts3Transfer
ELECProgram Elective3Transfer
 TOTAL16 
*Science courses must be from two different disciplines
*Art & Humanities courses must be from two different disciplines

Secondary Track Scope and Sequence

1st Fall Semester

Course Prefix & NumberCourse TitleCreditsTransfer/ Technical
COMM 101Fundamentals of Oral Communication3Transfer
ENGL 101Writing and Rhetoric I      3Transfer
EDU 201Foundations in Education3Transfer
MATH 143       Precalculus I3   Transfer
EDU 202Field Experience1Transfer
ELECProgram Elective1 to 3Transfer
 TOTAL14-16 

1st Spring Semester

Course Prefix & NumberCourse TitleCreditsTransfer/ Technical
ENGL 102       Writing and Rhetoric II  3Transfer
EDU 204Families, Communities & Culture3Transfer
SCI GE   GEM Science Course + Lab                       4Transfer
ELECProgram Elective3Transfer
PSYC 101      Introduction to Psychology3      Transfer
 TOTAL16 

2nd Fall Semester

Course Prefix & NumberCourse TitleCreditsTransfer/ Technical
EDU 215Educational Technology3Transfer
ELEC   Program Elective3Transfer
HUM GEGEM Art & Humanities Class3Transfer
SOC GEGEM Social & Behavioral Class outside of PSYC3Transfer
PSYC 225Child Development3Transfer
 TOTAL15 
*Social & Behavioral courses must be from two different disciplines

2nd Spring Semester

Course Prefix & NumberCourse TitleCreditsTransfer/ Technical
ELECProgram Elective            9Transfer
SCI GE  GEM Science Course + lab4Transfer
HUM GEGEM Art & Humanities Class3Transfer
 TOTAL16 
*Science courses must be from two different disciplines
*Art & Humanities courses must be from two different disciplines
Faculty
Cotton, Dana | Department Chair, Associate Degrees | General Education

(208) 524-3000

dana.cotton@cei.edu

Remote Position

PH.D University of Idaho

Godfrey, Christian | Business

(208) 535-5478

christian.godfrey@cei.edu

Robertson Building 2, Room 246B

PH.D. University of Idaho