Special Education

ASSOCIATE IN ARTS DEGREE (0001) – SPECIAL EDUCATION PRE-MAJOR

Students who plan to earn an Associate in Arts degree and then transfer to a four-year college or university majoring in Special Education should speak with a SWIC counselor. SWIC’s counselors are specially trained to help familiarize you with the specific requirements of the four-year institution where you plan to transfer.

Degree seeking students are also expected to fulfill the General Education and other institutional requirements for the Associate in Arts degree listed in the Online College Catalog. General Education course preferences may vary by transfer institution.

As you fulfill your degree requirements, it is strongly recommended that you take the following classes:

MATH 105 and MATH 106 – Mathematics for Elementary Teachers I and II
MATH 113 – Finite Math for Business & Social Science
PSYC 151 – General Psychology
POLS 150 – Intro to American Government
HLTH 151 – Health
GEOG 152 – Global Geography
BIOL 101 – Principles of Biology I
HIST 180 and HIST 181 – U.S. History to 1865 and U.S. History since 1865
ART 101 – Art Appreciation OR MUS 101 – Music Appreciation

Most four-year colleges and universities will accept the following classes as Special Education major credit:

ED 255 – Introduction to Education
ED 252 – Educational Psychology
ED 265 – Introduction to Special Education

The optional courses listed below may be applicable toward a baccalaureate Special Education major. Please keep in mind that most transfer institutions limit the number of credit hours taken within a student’s major field of study at the community college level. To ensure the acceptance of such courses toward your intended major, check with the four-year institution where you are transferring or a SWIC advisor regarding their applicability.

PE 221 – Elementary School Activities
LIT 293 – Children’s Literature
ED 280 – Introduction to Teaching Reading

Fulfill all other Associate in Arts degree requirements listed in the printed or Online College Catalog.

Apply for graduation by the date published in the College Calendar.

Earn at least 64 transferable credits with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.00 to graduate from SWIC. Many transfer institutions require a higher GPA for admission into the institution and/or specific majors.
Note: Enrollment in many transfer classes is based on your score on the assessment placement test and/or your fulfillment of course prerequisites.

All intended transfer students should meet with an education counselor at their intended transfer institution as soon as possible for direct advising on course requirements. It is also recommended that all intended education transfer students take ED255 Introduction to Education and ED265 Introduction to Special Education (not at the same time) before transferring, in addition to any courses required/suggested in the course catalog. Both courses require fingerprint background checks (performed on campus as part of the course) and cleared TB tests (student responsibility to provide – must be no more than 1 year old); must be completed by end of first week of class.

For licensure and testing information, see the Illinois State Board of Education or contact your local Regional Office of Education.

For more information, please contact:

Carolyn Beal

Education Coordinator

Email: carolyn.beal@swic.edu

For licensure and testing information, see the Illinois State Board of Education website or contact your local Regional Office of Education.

Illinois State Board of Education