Elementary Teacher Education
Launch a career in teaching in the K-12 system and impact children on a daily basis through your work. Santa Monica College created the Teacher Academy to provide support services and training in response to California’s projected need for teachers over the next decade.
K-12 professionals support the youth’s ability to:
- Learn
- Think critically
- Be self-confident and have high self-esteem
- Develop a sense of personal ethics and social responsibility
The elementary education pathway is the first step in preparing you for employment across primary, secondary, bilingual or special education. We additionally provide you with opportunities to meet your 30-hour internship requirement to enter credential programs at many of the California State Universities.
The interactive elementary education curriculum at SMC will help you transfer seamlessly to a 4-year college or university to complete your degree and credential requirements. Our program trains you to promote healthy development and learning in individually, culturally and linguistically responsive ways, with many options to complete transfer coursework and pre-professional supervision. You must earn a bachelor’s degree plus complete additional coursework in teaching methods to teach in the California K-12 system.
Make an appointment with an Education Counselor to learn more about current and future pathways in Elementary Teacher Education. Call 310-434-8109 to schedule an appointment.
Apply Now See an Academic Counselor
Program Paths
Elementary Teacher Education
Associate in Arts for Transfer
The Associate in Arts in Elementary Teacher Education for Transfer is intended for students who plan to transfer and complete a Liberal Studies degree and / or a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential to prepare them for elementary school teaching. Successful completion of the AA-T in Elementary Teacher Education satisfies lower-division preparation for a degree in Liberal Studies.
Elementary Teacher Education
Certificate of Achievement
The cross-disciplinary courses that are part of this certificate serve as an introduction to the field of teaching. Courses will inspire and prepare future educators to teach in urban classrooms, to learn essential professional knowledge including professional teaching standards and ethics, to conduct fieldwork in order to learn how to meet the diverse needs of students and roles of the teacher, and to gain a foundation of knowledge across some of the disciplines that will be necessary for teaching elementary students.
Potential Career Options
| Job Title | Typical Education | Median Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education (opens in new window) | Bachelor's Degree | $69,146 |
| Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education (opens in new window) | Bachelor's Degree | $80,043 |
| Middle School Teachers, Except Special Education & CTE (opens in new window) | Bachelor's Degree | $72,230 |
| Education Administrators, Elementary School (opens in new window) | Master's or Professional Degree | $118,163 |
| Instructional Coordinators (opens in new window) | Master's or Professional Degree | $84,096 |
| Teacher Assistants (opens in new window) | Certificate | $34,294 |
Resources and Transfer
Many colleges and universities offer baccalaureate degrees in this field. Students planning to transfer to a four-year college or university should meet with a counselor to discuss which courses need to be taken at SMC before applying to your designer colleges/universities.
Student Resources
We know college isn't always easy. We are here to help as you navigate through your SMC journey. This resource connects to information about Financial Aid, Tutoring Services, the Center for Wellness and Wellbeing and much more!
Early Childhood Lab School
Santa Monica College and the City of Santa Monica, in a unique partnership, have built an innovative early childhood laboratory school to serve the community while enabling teachers in-training to develop crucial expertise under the guidance of leading education professionals.
Transfers
Education and Early Childhood Education is a career education program that does not directly lead to transfer. Students planning to transfer should talk immediately with an Academic Counselor to discuss what SMC courses will help you transfer.