Associate of Arts in Teaching
Advising Guides
The Associate of Arts in Teaching degree (AAT) is a Missouri specific, statewide, specialized degree intended for transfer to approved teacher education programs at Missouri four-year colleges. If you wish to pursue a four-year degree at a school not in Missouri, you should complete the Associate of Arts.
The AAT provides an opportunity to seamlessly transfer into a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in Education concentration at a participating four-year transfer institution in the state of Missouri. Any Missouri community college student who has earned an AAT degree from any Missouri community college is guaranteed consistent treatment by the four-year transfer institution in accordance with the Missouri Coordinating Board for Higher Education (CBHE) Credit Transfer Policy, Principles of Best Practice, and related addenda and clarifying comments.
Length of programs may vary depending on the major and the college or university you wish to transfer to. Students should meet with their advisor to make appropriate course selections.
Program Outcomes
- Content Knowledge Aligned with Appropriate Instruction
The teacher understands the central concepts, structures, and tools of inquiry of the discipline(s) and creates learning experiences that make aspects of subject matter meaningful and engaging for students.
- Student Learning, Growth, and Development
The teacher understands how students learn, develop, and differ in their approaches to learning. The teacher provides learning opportunities that are adapted to diverse learners and support the intellectual, social, and personal development of all students.
- Curriculum Implementation
The teacher recognizes the importance of long-range planning and curriculum development. The teacher develops, implements, and evaluates curriculum based upon student, district, and state standards data.
- Critical Thinking
The teacher uses a variety of instructional strategies and resources to encourage students’ critical thinking, problem solving, and performance skills.
- Positive Classroom Environment
The teacher uses an understanding of individual/group motivation and behavior to create a learning environment that encourages active engagement in learning, positive social interaction, and self-motivation.
- Effective Communication
The teacher models effective verbal, nonverbal, and media communication techniques with students, colleagues, and families to foster active inquiry, collaboration, and supportive interaction in the classroom.
- Student Assessment and Data Analysis
The teacher understands and uses formative and summative assessment strategies to assess the learner’s progress and uses both classroom and standardized assessment data to plan ongoing instruction. The teacher monitors the performance of each student and devises instruction to enable students to grow and develop, making adequate academic progress.
- Professionalism
The teacher is a reflective practitioner who continually assesses the effects of choices and actions on others. The teacher actively seeks out opportunities to grow professionally in order to improve learning for all students.
- Professional Collaboration
The teacher has effective working relationships with students, parents, school colleagues, and community members.
The graduation requirements for the Associate of Arts degree are as follows:
- Have a cumulative grade point average of 2.00 or higher.
- Complete at least 15 credit hours of the degree at Three Rivers College.
- Complete ACAD 101 - Academic Life Strategies (4cr).
- Complete the courses in the Advising Guide. Three Rivers College offers the following guides to the AAT: early childhood education, elementary education, middle school education, secondary education, and music education.
- Pass the Missouri Higher Education Civics Achievement Examination.
- Meet all financial obligations to the College.