Jul 04, 2025  
2025-2026 College Catalog 
    
2025-2026 College Catalog

Liberal Arts - Secondary Education Concentration, A.A.


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HEGIS: 5649.00
PROGRAM CODE: 01044
PROGRAM DIRECTOR: Dr. Jacob Segal
CONCENTRATION COORDINATOR: Dr. Chico Knight

The Liberal Arts AA degree provides a foundation in general studies through exploration of an array of subject areas under liberal arts and sciences. Concentrations provide students opportunity to focus in a specific area. Courses promote development and application of effective communication skills, quantitative and scientific reasoning, critical thinking and analysis, and applying knowledge of human cultures, language and the natural world to issues experienced across diverse communities. The degree provides opportunity for transfer to baccalaureate programs.

The Secondary Education Concentration provides a strong foundation in the social underpinnings of education, inclusive of pedagogic theory and practice, and the analysis of social forces that influence education.  Students have the opportunity to focus on the academic area they are interested in teaching.

The curriculum presented here applies to students who started the major in Fall 2025 or Spring 2026. If you enrolled as a matriculant prior to that, please see the College Catalog for the year you started the major as a matriculant for the curriculum requirements that apply to you.

Consultation with the Program Advisor is required.


Degree Map:

Degree Map for Liberal Arts: Secondary Education Concentration, A.A.  

Your Degree Map contains the suggested term-by-term course sequence for your academic path towards graduation. 

To ensure successful and timely completion of your degree, it is recommended that you meet with your academic advisor to discuss your unique map. 

Please note some courses may only be offered once an academic year.

Program Learning Outcomes:


Upon successful completion of the Liberal Arts degree program requirements, graduates will:

  1. demonstrate and apply ethical judgment to real-world problems and issues while recognizing multiple perspectives.
  2. apply knowledge of human cultures, language, or the natural world to problems and issues experienced across diverse communities.
  3. produce or analyze creative works according to a field or discipline’s vocabulary and theory, using relevant techniques and processes, and in response to best practices.

Secondary Education Concentration Learning Outcomes: 

Upon successful completion of the Secondary Education Concentration requirements, graduates will:

  1. describe the history, practices and philosophies of the social underpinnings of education.

College Requirements:


English and Math proficient as determined by the CUNY Proficiency Index, unless otherwise exempt, or successful completion of any required developmental course(s).

Civic Engagement Experiences:


One (1) Civic Engagement experience satisfied by Civic Engagement Certified or Civic Engagement Component course or approved outside activity.

Writing Intensive Requirement:


One (1) Writing Intensive Course  in any discipline is required. 

Required Core (4 Courses, 12 Credits):


When Required Core Courses are specified for a category they are strongly suggested and/or required for the major

*Note: You may elect to take a math or science course that is 4 credits or more. TAP counts 3 credits towards the requirements and the 4th credit as an elective

Flexible Core (6 Courses, 18 Credits):


One course from each Group A to E. and one (1) additional course from any Group.

No more than two courses can be selected from the same discipline

A. World Cultures and Global Issues Designated Course


B. U.S. Experience in its Diversity Designated Course


C. Creative Expression Designated Course


D. Individual and Society Designated Course


E. Scientific World Designated Course


Note: You may elect to take a math or science course that is 4 credits or more. TAP counts 3 credits towards the requirements and the 4th credit as an elective.

Major Requirements (6 Courses, 18 Credits):


Courses used to satisfy the Major requirements cannot be used to also satisfy the Concentration requirements.  Students enrolled in a Concentration cannot use the following required courses to also satisfy the CUNY Required or Flexible core.

  • Arts 3 Credit(s) or
  • Media and Film Studies 3 Credit(s) or
  • Music 3 Credit(s) or
  • Theatre 3 Credit(s)

      AND

  • Speech 3 Credit(s)

      AND

  • Literature or Philosophy 3 Credit(s)

      AND

  • U.S. Politics or U.S. History 3 Credit(s)

      AND

  • Psychology or Sociology 3 Credit(s)

​      AND

  • World History 3 Credit(s) or
  • Anthropology 3 Credit(s) or
  • World Language 3 Credit(s)

Secondary Education Concentration (3 Courses, 9 Credits):


Courses used to satisfy the Concentration requirements cannot be used to also satisfy the Major requirements.  Students enrolled in a Concentration cannot use the following required courses to also satisfy the CUNY Required or Flexible Core.

 

*The Secondary Education Concentration is not recommended for students interested in teaching in the STEM fields. Students interested in teaching STEM should enroll in the corresponding STEM Major at the College.

Electives:


3 credits sufficient to meet required total of 60 credits.

Total Credits: 60


Notes:


  • World Languages proficiency through the 200-level is recommended for students who do not have native fluency, or have not successfully completed three years of one foreign language in high school and passed the Regents Level 3 language exam. These students may take a 100-level World Language as a Flexible Core: World Cultures and Global Issues (Group A) Pathways requirement and a 200-level World Language as a major requirement. Other concentrations may be able to do as listed above. 
  • For concentrations other than General, it is recommended that you speak with your academic advisor. 

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