School of Education
Elementary Teacher Education Associate in Arts
University of Delaware’s Associate in Arts (AA) two-year degree is equivalent to the first two years of the bachelor of science degree in Elementary Teacher Education (BS.Ed.) on the Newark campus. The UD Associate in Arts Program campuses in Georgetown and Wilmington offer a degree option (AA-ETE) that allows students to complete the BS.Ed. in four years.
The AA degree offers small class sizes and faculty who are dedicated to helping each student become successful. Students begin their education courses and field experiences in their first semester, enabling them to apply what they learn from their coursework and to develop their skills with children immediately. The Office of Clinical Studies assists students with field experience clearances, including the tuberculin (TB), criminal background check, and Stewards of Children Training.
In addition, eligible students can participate in the SEED (Student Excellence Equals Degree) Scholarship program that provides free tuition during their two years on the Georgetown and Wilmington campuses.
Program Coordinator: Scott Lykens (Southern Delaware) and Teresa Rush (Wilmington)
The University of Delaware’s Southern Delaware campus is located in the Jason Technology Center at 21179 College Drive, Georgetown, DE, 19947. Visitors to the campus or those interested in the program may contact Scott Lykens, Southern Delaware Program Coordinator, at 302-500-7051 or via email.
The University of Delaware’s Wilmington campus is located at 300 N. Orange Street, Wilmington, DE, 19081. Visitors to the campus or those interested in the program may contact Teresa Rush, Wilmington Program Coordinator, via email.
Students can complete the 62 credits in the Associate in Arts (AA) degree in Elementary Teacher Education in four semesters. Below is a sample two-year plan for an AA student in Elementary Teacher Education.
Freshman Year, Fall Semester
| Course Title | Number of Credits |
| EDUC 100 – Intro. Elementary and Middle School Education | 2 |
| EDUC 205 – Human Development: Grades K-8 | 3 |
| ENGL 110 – Critical Reading & Writing | 3 |
| Fine arts elective in ART, ARTH or MUSC | 3 |
| HIST 103, 104, 105, or 106 | 3 |
| MATH 251 – Math for K-8 Teachers: Number & Operations | 3 |
Freshman Year, Spring Semester
| Course Title | Number of Credits |
| EDUC 240 – Legal and Ethical Issues in Education | 3 |
| MATH 252 – Math for K-8 Teachers: Rational Number & Probability | 3 |
| GEOL 113 – Earth Science | 4 |
| POSC 150 – American Political System | 3 |
| Optional Concentration Course | 3 |
Sophomore Year, Fall Semester
| Course Title | Number of Credits |
| EDUC 230 – Introduction to Exceptional Children | 3 |
| MATH 253 – Math for K-8 Teachers: Geometry, Algebra & Measurement | 3 |
| BISC 104 or 207 – Biology | 4 |
| GEOG 102 or 120 – Geography | 3 |
| ECON 101 – Introduction to Microeconomics | 3 |
Sophomore Year, Spring Semester
| Course Title | Number of Credits |
| EDUC 210 – Beginning Literacy Instruction | 3 |
| EDUC 258 – Cultural Diversity, Schooling and the Teacher | 3 |
| EDUC 387 – Integrating Technology in Education | 3 |
| SCEN 101 – Physical Science | 4 |
| ENGL (An approved literature course) | 3 |
| Optional Concentration Course | 3 |
Students who complete the Associate in Arts (AA) degree in Elementary Teacher Education can transition to the BSED program on the Newark campus. In order to receive upper division clearance for courses beginning their second semester on campus and for student teaching, students need to satisfy the following two requirements:
- Earn a minimum GPA of 2.60
- Successfully pass the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators tests in reading, writing, and math according to the State of Delaware guidelines, or pass another college ready exam such as SAT or ACT earning exempt scores as established by the State of Delaware.
AA students who plan to complete their bachelor’s degree in Elementary Teacher Education (BSED) on the Newark campus will choose one of six concentrations for their program:
- English as a Second Language
- Middle School English
- Middle School Mathematics
- Middle School Science
- Middle School Social Studies
- Special Education
They will take Concentration, General Studies, and Professional Studies courses to complete the BSED degree. These courses are listed in the Elementary Teacher Education program course requirements. AA students will complete their Professional Studies courses and Concentration courses in their final two years on the Newark campus. They will have completed the General Studies courses for the BSED degree on the AA campus.
All Elementary Teacher Education seniors, including students who were on the Georgetown campus for their first two years, have the opportunity to student teach in southern Delaware.
The Delaware SEED Scholarship Program is offered by the state of Delaware and covers tuition for full-time students enrolled in the AA program at UD. SEED Scholarships are granted to Delaware residents who graduate from a Delaware high school with a GPA of 2.5 or higher, enter directly into the AA program from high school, and have not been convicted of a felony. Enrollment in at least 24 credits per academic year and a 2.5 GPA must be maintained to continue eligibility.
For freshmen who will be entering the AA program, UD will award SEED Scholarships to as many eligible students as state funding will allow. In selecting students, UD will give priority to students who have the most financial need as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). UD recommends that families file their FAFSAs by the end of February for first consideration.
For more information, contact UD’s Student Financial Service’s page for AA students.
Visit our Awards and Funding page for information on other external, university, and college-wide scholarship and funding opportunities.
Student and Alumni Spotlights
Emily Halliday
Emily graduated in May with a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Teacher Education (BS.Ed.), using the AA-ETE program as a springboard to her four-year degree. She completed her first two years of college in Georgetown (AA-ETE) and then transitioned to the Newark campus to earn her degree (BS.Ed).
Erika Komp
Erika graduated in May with a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Teacher Education (BS.Ed.) after beginning in the AA-ETE program. After graduating, she taught in Germany and now works as a special education teacher at Southern Elementary in Delaware.
How to Apply
Students apply to the Associate in Arts (AA) degree in Elementary Teacher Education by completing the following two steps.
- Complete the online application for admission to the University of Delaware.
- Indicate their major as the AA degree with an interest in Elementary Teacher Education (ETE).