Education - Elementary


Program Description


Students planning to enter the field of elementary education can complete their first two years of study at Arizona Western College. An Associate in Arts degree in Elementary Education will prepare students to transfer to a university and earn their bachelor’s degree. Education majors should consult with their academic advisors concerning the courses required for certification in Arizona and/or graduation from a state university with a bachelor’s degree in education.

Graduates of these programs will successfully complete the following learning outcomes:

  • Demonstrate an awareness of and a beginning understanding of the teaching profession in regard to its historical context, the implications of the profession, and the role played by public education in contemporary society
  • Articulate a beginning philosophy of education that incorporates an understanding of relevant theories and models of education
  • Construct lesson plans based on current best practices, developmental theories, and state and national standards
  • Implement self-reflection strategies to enhance professional and personal growth

Degree(s) / Certificates(s)


Title Local Bachelor's
Education - Elementary - A.A. Transfer Degree
Education - Elementary with Early Childhood Education Emphasis - A.A. Transfer Degree

Career Outlook


Successful completion of this program may lead to a variety of employment opportunities, most of which require continued higher education at the university level. Below are examples of related occupations and annual mean wages in Arizona according to a May 2019 State Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates Report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Teaching Assistants
Perform duties that are instructional in nature or deliver direct services to students or parents. Serve in a position for which a teacher has ultimate responsibility for the design and implementation of educational programs and services.
$26,590
Short-Term Substitute Teachers 
Teach students on a short-term basis as a temporary replacement for a regular classroom teacher, typically using the regular teacher’s lesson plan.
$30,080
Kindergarten Teachers 
Teach academic and social skills to kindergarten students.
$45,310
Elementary School Teachers 
Teach academic and social skills to students at the elementary school level
$45,600
Kindergarten and Elementary School Special Education Teachers 
Teach elementary school subjects to educationally and physically handicapped students. Includes teachers who specialize and work with audibly and visually handicapped students and those who teach basic academic and life processes skills to the mentally impaired.
$46,230
Instructional Coordinators 
Develop instructional material, coordinate educational content, and incorporate current technology into instruction in order to provide guidelines to educators and instructors for developing curricula and conducting courses. May train and coach teachers. Includes educational consultants and specialists, and instructional material directors.
Successful completion of this program may lead to employment in a variety of different occupations and industries. Check the above for additional information.

Contact Information


Department Contact(s)

Social Sciences


Hours of Operation
Faculty/Staff Contact(s)
Name Title Phone Email
Patricia Powers Professor of Education (928) 317-6051 patricia.powers@azwestern.edu