This program constitutes a JAA transfer program to URI. Students completing a JAA plan receive an Associate's degree and enter the receiving institution with 60 credits and Junior status. Students must complete all requirements as given. Depending on GPA, students receive a tuition discount of up to 30% at the receiving institution, a waived application fee, and personalized advising.

JAA’s help streamlines the educational path for students pursuing a degree in Secondary Education, making the process more efficient and less stressful. The curriculum provides a strong foundation in teaching and learning, assessment, instructional strategies to support special populations, universal design for learning, and supporting the diversity of today’s classrooms. The program includes hands-on experience through practicums or internships, allowing students to apply theoretical knowledge in real-world settings and develop essential skills in classroom management and curriculum planning. Students in this program demonstrate a strong commitment to children's intellectual, social, and emotional well-being. Completing an AA degree can provide a clear path to a B.A. in Secondary Education: Biology.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, a student will be able to:

1. Create written work that develops and expresses ideas and that addresses a given context and target audience.
2. Communicate effectively via oral presentations, performances, participation in group work, and visual presentations.
3. Identify, analyze, and apply evidence and ideas, question assumptions, and draw logical conclusions.
4. Develop information literacy by locating, evaluating, synthesizing, and using information to accomplish a specific purpose.
5. Demonstrate an understanding of and apply scientific or quantitative principles, theories, and methods.
6. Apply quantitative principles to solve problems and support arguments with quantitative evidence in a variety of formats (e.g. words, tables, graphs, equations, etc.).
7. Demonstrate an understanding of global, cultural and historical perspectives.
8. Function effectively in social and professional environments and make reasoned decisions based on ethical standards, self-awareness, and personal responsibility.
9. Utilize discipline-specific theories and concepts to analyze data, texts, and issues at a level appropriate for a 2-year college student.

Requirements

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
General Education Requirements
BIOL 1001	Introductory Biology: Organismal MSCI; Critical Thinking; Social and Professional Responsibilities	4
BIOL 1002	Introductory Biology: Cellular MSCI; Non-Written Communication; Scientific Reasoning	4
ENGL 1010	Composition I (or ENGL 1010A) HUMN; Written Communication, Information Literacy	3
COMM 1010	Communication Fundamentals^ HUMN; Non-Written Communication; Social and Professional Responsibilities	3
History Elective SSCI		3
HMNS 2060	Foundations of Teaching and Learning SSCI; Written Communication; Information Literacy	3
Humanities Elective HUMN		3
Literature Elective HUMN		3
Mathematics Elective MSCI		3
PSYC 2070	Educational Psychology SSCI; Critical Thinking; Scientific Reasoning	3
Social Science Elective		3
Sub-total General Education		35
Major Requirements
BIOL 2090	Genetics	3
BIOL 2480	General Microbiology	4
CHEM 1030	General Chemistry I MSCI; Scientific Reasoning; Quantitative Literacy	5
HMNS 2070	Characteristics and Needs of Special Populations	3
HMNS 2710	Diversity and Cultural Competency Skills^	3
Free Elective		3
Free Elective		3
Free Elective		3
Sub-total Major Requirements		27
Total Hours		62

^

Work-based learning course

Recommended Course Sequence

Plan of Study Grid

Year 1
Semester 1		Hours
BIOL 1001	Introductory Biology: Organismal	4
CHEM 1030	General Chemistry I	5
COMM 1010	Communication Fundamentals^	3
ENGL 1010	Composition I (or ENGL 1010A)	3
	Hours	15
Semester 2
BIOL 1002	Introductory Biology: Cellular	4
HMNS 2060	Foundations of Teaching and Learning	3
Free Elective		3
Free Elective		3
Mathematics Elective		3
	Hours	16
Year 2
Semester 1
BIOL 2090	Genetics	3
HMNS 2070	Characteristics and Needs of Special Populations	3
PSYC 2070	Educational Psychology	3
Free Elective		3
History Elective		3
	Hours	15
Semester 2
HMNS 2710	Diversity and Cultural Competency Skills^	3
BIOL 2480	General Microbiology	4
Humanities Elective		3
Literature Elective		3
Social Science Elective		3
	Hours	16
	Total Hours	62

^

Work-based learning course

Transfer

This program at CCRI is a part of the Joint Admissions Agreement (JAA). JAA helps students transfer seamlessly to Rhode Island College (RIC) or the University of Rhode Island (URI). Students who are eligible for the JAA program have earned less than 30 college credits at the time of joining and have not attended any other college or university.

JAA graduates are guaranteed admissions to either RIC or URI, have personalized advising by a caseload advisor, enter with Junior status at RIC or URI, and are eligible for a tuition discount up to 30% based on GPA. 

Please meet with an Academic Advisor/Student Success Coach to help you select the courses that best prepare you for transfer to RIC or URI. For more information, please visit Joint Admissions Agreement or the Transfer Center.