Early Childhood, Elementary & Special Education: Associate in Arts

Make the smart choice.

Get your foundation here, then transfer to further your educational path.

Program Description

Wanting to become an early childhood, elementary, or special education teacher? Complete your first two years at TCL, then transfer when you’re ready.

The Early Childhood, Elementary & Special Education Associate in Arts degree program prepares you to transfer to a four-year college or university to earn a baccalaureate degree. TCL’s 60-credit-hour program focuses on the general education courses you’ll need regardless of where you transfer.

All of the courses required to complete this program may be transferred to any four-year public university or college in South Carolina as well as selected out-of-state universities.

Make sure you talk with your advisor about the right course work for your educational goals. In addition, it’s best to check with the your future college/university (and preferably the specific program) to verify the transferability of any TCL course.

Want to know exactly what transfers? Visit the Student Records page and use the SCTrac tool to find a list of courses that transfer.

Accreditation & Accolades

Technical College of the Lowcountry is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award Associate Degrees, Diplomas, and Certificates. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of Technical College of the Lowcountry.

See the Curriculum →

Quick Facts

Quick Fact 1

Continue your studies in early childhood, elementary and special education.

Quick Fact 2

Program courses transfer to many four-year colleges and universities in and out of state.

Quick Fact 3

Save tens of thousands of dollars by completing your first two years at TCL.

What People Are Saying

“TCL gave me confidence and helped realize what I could accomplish.”

Reece Bertholf Graduate

FAQs & Additional Information

toggle all

Important Additional Admission Requirements

Students applying to the Associate in Arts (AA) degree program must supply the following documentation before registering for courses:

An official copy of high school transcripts or Graduation Equivalency Diploma (GED) transcripts. A certificate of completion will not be accepted as a substitute for a high school diploma or GED.

• All candidates for the AA degree must take the COMPASS/ASSET placement evaluation unless they have official college transcripts with a “C” or better in College Algebra (MAT 110) and English Composition I (ENG 101), or have qualifying SAT/ACT scores.

• Official transcripts must be sent from the issuing college/school directly to the Admissions Office at TCL via the mail.

• A copy of the high school or GED transcripts, COMPASS/ASSET placement evaluation, SAT and/or ACT scores, and/or college transcript must be at the TCL Admissions Office before a student can register.

• Students lacking these requirements may register as career development students and will not be admitted into the AA program until all requirements are met.

What does this program cost?*

Tuition: 60 credits x $170 per credit = $10,200.

Remember, this is before S.C. Lottery Tuition Assistance and other financial aid, which could drop your costs by more than half. In fact, after financial aid, many TCL students attend for free. Regardless, you’ll save tens of thousands of dollars compared to other four-year institutions.

*Based on Fall 2016 in-state, in-service-area tuition. Your actual cost may differ. Qualifications vary.

Career & Education Opportunities:

Articulation and Transfer:

TCL participates in a statewide articulation agreement with South Carolina’s publicly supported colleges and universities. In addition to the courses included in the statewide agreement, many courses transfer from TCL to senior institutions both in and out-of-state. Students should check with institutions to which they are seeking admission to determine the particular courses and the exact number of credits that college/university may accept in transfer.

Publicly supported colleges/universities in South Carolina include but are not limited to The Citadel, Clemson University, Coastal Carolina University, College of Charleston, Francis Marion University, Lander University, Medical University of South Carolina, South Carolina State University, University of South Carolina – Columbia, University of South Carolina – Beaufort, University of South Carolina – Aiken, University of South Carolina – Upstate, Winthrop University. The most up-to-date information is available at www.sctrac.org.