Secondary Education-Physics, A.A.T. (308)

This program of study meets all the General Education Requirements at Chesapeake College.

Award: Associate of Arts in Teaching Degree

Program Mission: The Chesapeake College Secondary Education—Physics A.A.T. Degree facilitates transfer to a Maryland four year institution for students to complete a course of study to become a secondary education physics teacher. This program provides the first two years of a four-year bachelor’s degree and teacher certification program in physics. To earn the A.A.T. degree, students must achieve a minimum 2.75 cumulative GPA, pass the Praxis I Exam, and complete a professional portfolio.

Program Description: The Associate of Arts in Teaching degree program is designed for teacher education transfer students. The program is based on specific learning outcomes and is comprised of foundation-level pedagogical coursework,  field experience, and general education which meet academic content, outcomes, and requirements of the first two years in a teacher education program in physics. The program provides students with seamless transfer into a teacher education program at any Maryland college or university. Students should acquaint themselves with the requirements of the major department at the receiving institution and consult with an academic advisor in planning an appropriate program. The College’s transfer advisor can provide additional information regarding the transfer requirements of institutions within the University of Maryland System.

Program Goals: The Secondary Education—Physics A.A.T. Degree program will:

• Facilitate proficiency in content knowledge and skills for the College’s general education competencies.
• Provide a core of professional course work, academic content, field experience, and general education appropriate for the first two years of secondary teacher preparation in physics.
• Prepare students to transfer to a mathematics secondary education program at a four-year institution in the State of Maryland.

Student Learning Outcomes: Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:

• Apply the essential principles and concepts of physics.
• Define, investigate, and analyze issues in physics and present findings that combine text and graphic illustrations in a meaningful format.
• Distinguish the social, physical, emotional, and cognitive states of development of children from infancy through adolescence.
• Interpret significant historical events, issues, research, trends, and emerging developments in education and the implications they have for practice, development, and change of curricula.
• Construct learning opportunities that support individual students’ development, acquisition of knowledge, and motivation using the major concepts, principles, theories,and research related to development of adolescents.
• Integrate systematic and effective observation, documentation, and assessment strategies in observing and working with children.
• Apply knowledge of cultural and linguistic diversity and the significance of socio-cultural and political contexts for student development and learning.
• Create meaningful, challenging, and developmentally appropriate learning experiences and environment for high school students that demonstrate a basic understanding of the concepts, inquiry tools, and content areas.
• Analyze and reflect on experiences with high school students in learning environments to improve instruction and to assess appropriateness and effectiveness of models for classroom and behavior management.
• Integrate prior knowledge/experience and new learning through the use of effective written, verbal, critical thinking, and problem solving skills.
• Demonstrate skills, dispositions, and attitudes of professional and ethical behavior.

For More Information, Contact:
Dr. Deanna Stock
Education Department
Chesapeake College
P.O. Box 8, Wye Mills, MD 21679
410-822-5400, ext. 2313.