Programs Offered
Teacher Preparation Pathways
Rowan-Cabarrus Community College offers two specialized transfer degrees for students interested in becoming educators. The Associate in Arts in Teacher Preparation (AATP) and the Associate in Science in Teacher Preparation (ASTP) are designed for those planning to transfer to a four-year college or university, complete a bachelor’s degree in education and meet the qualifications for teacher licensure.
Students enrolled in these programs will complete:
- 45 credit hours of general education coursework in English, humanities and fine arts, social and behavioral sciences, mathematics, and natural sciences
- Four foundational education courses designed to introduce students to the K–12 classroom environment and prepare them for the Praxis Core examination
Associate in Arts in Teacher Preparation (AATP)
The AATP degree is ideal for students interested in teaching non-STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) subjects. Graduates often pursue careers in elementary education or specialize in content areas such as English/language arts, social studies, art, music or special education.
Potential Career Opportunities with the AATP:
- Elementary Education (Grades K–6)
- Middle School Education – Non-STEM Subjects (Grades 6–8)
- Secondary Education – Non-STEM Subjects (Grades 9–12)
Associate in Science in Teacher Preparation (ASTP)
The ASTP degree is designed for students who want to teach STEM-related subjects, such as mathematics or science, in grades 6 through 12. This degree prepares students to transfer to a four-year college or university for a bachelor’s degree in a STEM education field.
Potential Career Opportunities with the ASTP:
- Middle School Math (Grades 6-8)
- Middle School Science (Grades 6-8)
- High School Math (Grades 9-12)
- High School Science (Grades 9-12)
Praxis Core Requirement for Education Majors
The Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators (Praxis Core) is a set of standardized tests basic reading, writing, and math skills. Many four-year institutions require the Praxis Core for admission to teacher education programs, ensuring future educators are prepared for K–12 teaching.Students planning to transfer to a four-year institution may need to complete the Praxis Core for admission to a teacher education program.
Admission Requirement:
Most undergraduate education programs require minimum passing scores on all three Praxis Core subtests:
- Reading: 156
- Writing: 162
- Math: 150
OR a combined score of 468 or higher.
Score Alternatives:
Praxis Core may be waived with qualifying scores on standardized exams:
- SAT:
- 1100+ (pre-March 2016)
- 1170+ (March 2016 and later) → Full exemption
- High section scores on the SAT or ACT may qualify for individual subtest exemptions.
Isha Goode
