A future teacher thanks to Ashford University

Bachelor of Arts in Social Science with Education Concentration

Earn your Bachelor of Arts in Social Science w/ Education concentration online from Ashford University, ® and launch your career as a teacher. If you are an aspiring teacher, this degree makes a great fit, whether or not you choose to transfer to Rio Salados' Teacher Preparation Program. You'll take courses in your Bachelor's degree program at Ashford, and then you may take advantage of the opportunity to transfer into the Rio Salado Teacher Preparation Program.

Degree Focus

Build a strong foundation and develop your instructional skills -- including communication, group behavior, and human development. Your Education concentration will give you a two- to four-class head start on your Teacher Preparation Program at Rio Salado College in foundational content areas.

Career Opportunities

Prepare yourself for a rewarding career when you complete the Bachelor of Arts in Social Science w/ Education concentration. Through the Rio Salado program and state of Arizona certification, your career path can include teaching opportunities either in Elementary, Secondary, or Special Education, including:

  • Public schools
  • Private schools
  • Charter schools

Why the Education concentration?

For aspiring teachers, this concentration offers the opportunity of a lifetime. The Ashford University/Rio Salado partnership empowers you to:

Accelerate your path to degree completion. Ashford University offers courses that are required in Rio Salado College's online Teacher Preparation Program. In addition, you can transfer up to 99 approved credits toward your Bachelor of Arts degree at Ashford, making your path to completion even faster.

Focus your education when you choose your area of specialization: Elementary Education, Secondary Education or Special Education.

Experience comprehensive coursework in the Rio Salado Teacher Preparation Program. You'll participate in four major components: online coursework, site-based practicums, nine weeks of student teaching, and Master Teacher Seminars. Online teacher education coursework begins every two weeks for easy scheduling, and you can complete the coursework in 14 weeks, or even as few as six weeks (with instructor approval).

Admission Requirements

  • Have a regular high-school diploma earned through college preparatory or regular high school courses or GED equivalency recognized by the Department of Education of the state in which it was earned, completed secondary school through home schooling as defined by state law, or earned an equivalent to a US high school diploma at an international high school. An earned IEP or Special Education Diploma or Certificate of Completion based upon IEP goals does not meet the regular high school diploma requirement for admission to Ashford University. Qualified applicants will self-certify as to their high school education on the application for admission. Ashford University may also require, at its discretion, that an applicant or student provide a high school transcript, high school diploma, and/or evidence of passing the GED. If no high school degree was earned, applicants may be admitted with a minimum of 60 transferable credits from an appropriately accredited postsecondary institution as defined by Ashford University transfer credit policies.
  • Be 22 years of age or older, or a graduate of Ashford University's Associate of Arts in Business degree program, or receive documented approval from the Registrar's Office via the "Under 22 Appeal" process.
  • Technology capabilities (minimally, students must have a computer with the following features and system configurations: Platforms: Mac OS X 10.2 or greater or Windows 2000, NT, or XP or greater; Hardware: 256 Mb RAM, CD-ROM, and 1 Gb free disk space; Productivity Software: Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Adobe Acrobat; Web Browser: Firefox, Netscape 6 or greater, Internet Explorer 5.5 or greater or Safari; Networking: 56k dialup modem, DSL, or cable modem; and Email: Outlook, Outlook Express, Mac Mail, Eudora, Entourage, or Yahoo/Hotmail/Google mail.)
  • The following additional platform and hardware requirements apply when using ebooks: Platforms: Mac OS X 10.4 or higher, Windows XP with service pack 2 or higher, or Vista; Hardware: 512 Mb RAM, CD-ROM, 1 gHz processor, and 1 Gb free disk space; 1024x768 screen resolution or larger.
  • English Language Requirement

Progression Requirements

  • Satisfy the English proficiency standards of the Center for External Studies
  • Maintain required Grade Point Average

Transferability

Put your college credits to work at Ashford! When you enroll in the Bachelor of Arts in Social Science with Education concentration program, you can transfer up to 99 semester credits (148.5 quarter credits) to help fulfill your degree requirements*. That means all your past hard work will not be wasted.

If you enter the program with fewer than twenty-four (24) transferable credits, you will be required to successfully complete EXP 105 Personal Dimensions of Education as your first course. EXP 105 is required if you have little or no previous college experience and is not recommended if you have high transfer credit. EXP 105 applies toward elective credit requirements so enrollment in EXP 105 may result in the reduction of three (3) potential transfer credits in the Elective category. If you take EXP 105, you are required to take PSY 202 as your second course.

If you enter the program with twenty-four (24) or more college transferable credits, you will be required to successfully complete PSY 202 Adult Development and Life Assessment as your first course. PSY 202 is designed to help you acclimate to the online college environment, though you already have some college experience. If you have been out of school for a long time or feel that you need additional support to enter the online environment, you may appeal to enroll in EXP 105 Personal Dimensions of Education as your first course, followed by PSY 202 as your second course. Unsuccessful completion of either EXP 105 or PSY 202 will result in the rescheduling of the course and revision of the future course sequence. See the Courses tab for descriptions of each course.

* The transferability of credits is subject to Ashford University transfer credit policies, and requires the submission of official transcripts. The official transcripts will be evaluated to determine the credits that will officially apply toward an Ashford University degree program.



Graduation Requirements

Required credits graphic

  • Total number of credits required: 120 credits
  • General Education Requirements: 46 credits*
  • Major Course Requirements: 39 credits*
  • Electives: 47 credits

Students must earn a minimum of 30 upper-division credits and a minimum of 21 credits at Ashford University (residency requirement).

*In this program, 12 credits from the major may also satisfy General Education requirements.

Online Format

You will take your classes one at a time for 5 weeks each, accelerating your path to graduation. Your course content is delivered in a high-tech format, and you can complete your weekly assignments when and where it's convenient for you thanks to the asynchronous online environment.

Cost**

You will appreciate that Ashford offers one of the lowest tuition rates available online. Your tuition is $354 per credit. You will also be responsible for fees to enroll. Call today to learn more at 866-711-1700.

Payment Options

  • Cash Plan – 100% of tuition and fees paid prior to each course start date.
  • Tuition Reimbursement – If your employer offers a tuition reimbursement plan, we'll work with you to apply this great benefit toward your education.
  • Financial Aid – You may be eligible for financial aid. Talk to an enrollment advisor to find out if you meet the requirements to qualify.
  • Direct (Employer) Billing – If you work for a company approved for direct billing, you may qualify for this payment option.
  • Military Tuition Assistance – Includes active duty service and Veteran's Administration Benefits, such as GI Bill and Vocational Rehab if you qualify. Click here for more information on military benefits.

If this program sounds like it will fit your personal and professional goals, contact us at 866-711-1700 to learn more, or click here to request additional information.

Click here for Information on Rio Salado Teacher Preparation Program Details.

** Tuition costs subject to change without notice.