teacher standing in front of classroom where children are raising their hands

Who is Eligible to Apply?

To be eligible to apply to Pierce College’s Bachelor of Applied Science in Teaching program, the following must be true or complete:

  • Can pass a character and fitness assessment with background check and fingerprints through the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI)
  • Have completed (or will have completed before beginning the BAS-Teaching program) a basic skills exam (WEST-B, SAT, ACT) with sections for reading, mathematics, and writing. There is no minimum or cut score required to apply.
  • Follow one of the three coursework pathways below with a 2.0 cumulative GPA of all college-level courses and have taken the following early childhood education prerequisite courses***:
    • ECED& 105: Introduction to Early Childhood Education (5 credits)
    • EDUC& 115: Child Development (5 credits)
    • EDUC& 130: Guiding Behavior (3 credits)
    • EDUC& 150: Child, Family and Community (3 credits)
    • ECED& 160: Curriculum Development (5 credits)
    • ECED& 190: Observation and Assessment (3 credits)

***A minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA in all education-related coursework is required and ECED& 105, EDUC& 115 and ECED& 190 must be completed before beginning the BAS-Teaching program.

Pathway 1: Associate of Applied Science Transfer (AAS-T) in Early Childhood Education

Complete an Associate of Applied Science Transfer (AAS-T) in Early Childhood Education degree from an accredited institution that includes ENGL&101 and MATH111 (or another approved college-level math course).

Pathway 2: Associate of Arts Direct Transfer Agreement (AA-DTA) with ECE courses

Complete an Associate of Arts Direct Transfer Agreement (AA-DTA) degree from an accredited institution as well as the six early childhood education prerequisite courses listed above.

Pathway 3: 90 College-Level Credits with ECE courses

Have completed at least 90 college-level quarter credits with the six early childhood education prerequisite courses listed above and the following core course distributions represented:

  • 5 credits of Communication Skills (CS) – must be ENGL&101
  • 5 credits of Quantitative Skills (QM)
  • 10 credits of Humanities (HM)
  • 5 credits of Social Science (SS)
  • 5 credits of Natural Science (NS) with lab
  • 10 credits of Quantitative Skills, Humanities, Social Science, or Natural Science

Do you have significant experience working with children?

Applicants utilizing Pathways 2 or 3 may submit a portfolio demonstrating that they have met the program outcomes for early childhood education prerequisite courses EDUC& 150, ECED& 160, and ECED& 190, allowing them to waive those courses, if they have been working with children aged 0-8 for at least two years and have been engaged in professional development in early childhood education. Contact Teaching@pierce.ctc.edu if you feel you may be eligible.