Education Degrees & Pathways

AA - Associate in Arts program (WT Course ID #: A1010T)

The Associate in Arts in Teacher Preparation is a university transfer degree for students interested in becoming licensed elementary, middle, high school or special education teachers. It is designed for those who want to teach in the humanities or social sciences and is comprised of 60 credit hours of college transfer courses allowing students who meet requirements the opportunity to transfer as a junior to 15 University of North Carolina System institutions and a number of North Carolina private colleges and universities.

In addition to 45 credit hours of general education courses, teacher prep degree students will also complete a social diversity course as well as the following four teacher education courses: Teaching and Learning for All, Foundations of Education, Literacy Development and Instruction, and Teacher Licensure Preparation.


AAS - Associate in Applied Science program (WT Course ID #: A55220C)

The Early Childhood Education curriculum prepares individuals to work with children from birth through age 8 in diverse learning environments. Students will combine learned theories with practice in actual settings with young children under the supervision of qualified teachers.

Course work includes child growth and development; physical/ nutritional needs of children; care and guidance of children; and communication skills with families and children. Students will foster the cognitive/language, physical/motor, social/emotional, and creative development of young children.

Graduates are prepared to plan and implement developmentally appropriate programs in early childhood settings. Employment opportunities include child development programs, preschools, public and private schools, recreational centers, Head Start Programs, and school-age programs. Early Childhood Education 


AAS - Associate in Applied Science program (WT Course ID #: A55220B)

The Birth-Kindergarten Licensure degree is for Wake Tech students looking to transfer to a four-year college or university. Licensure allows you to work in public pre-K classrooms as a lead teacher.


AAS - Associate in Applied Science program (WT Course ID #: A55220E)

The Early Childhood Education curriculum prepares individuals to work with children from birth through age 8 in diverse learning environments. Students will combine learned theories with practice in actual settings with young children under the supervision of qualified teachers.

Course work includes child growth and development, physical/ nutritional needs of children, care and guidance of children and communication skills with families and children. Students will foster the cognitive/language, physical/motor, social/emotional and creative development of young children.


AS - Associate in Science program (WT Course ID #: A1040T)

The  Associate in Science in Teacher Preparation is a university transfer degree for students interested in becoming licensed elementary, middle, high school or special education teachers, and is tailored for those with an interest in STEM – science, technology, engineering and math.

It is comprised of 60 credit hours of college transfer courses allowing students who meet requirements the opportunity to transfer as a junior to 15 University of North Carolina System institutions and a number of North Carolina private colleges and universities.

In addition to 45 credit hours of general education courses, teacher prep degree students will also complete a social diversity course as well as the following four teacher education courses: Teaching and Learning for All, Foundations of Education, Literacy Development and Instruction, and Teacher Licensure Preparation.


Diploma program (WT Course ID #: D55220A)

The Early Childhood Education diploma prepares individuals to work as assistants with early childhood specialists in children’s centers, nursery schools, kindergartens, child development centers, hospitals, institutions, camps, and recreation centers. 


Certificates program (WT Course ID #: C55220D)

The Early Childhood Education Certificate provides a strong foundation for early childhood professionals working with young children through six courses. The Early Childhood Education Certificate is stackable within the diploma and associate degree. Students will combine learned theories with practice through a practicum experience with young children under the supervision of qualified teachers.

Upon successful completion of EDU 119, the student earns the NC Early Childhood Credential and qualifies to be the lead teacher in a child care center. Additionally, all courses with EDU prefixes are used to evaluate the educational level of each child care provider by the NC Division of Child Development and Early Education


Certificates program (WT Course ID #: C55290)

The Infant/Toddler Care Certificate introduces the student to the field of ECE with a concentration of study of children birth through the age of two years through six courses. The Infant/Toddler Care Certificate is stackable within the diploma and associate degree. Students will combine learned theories with practice through a practicum experience with young children under the supervision of qualified teachers.

Upon successful completion of EDU 119, the student earns the NC Early Childhood Credential and qualifies to be the lead teacher in a child care center. Additionally, all courses with EDU prefixes are used to evaluate the educational level of each child care provider by the NC Division of Child Development and Early Education. This certificate is listed as one option in obtaining quality points in the Star Rated License System


Certificates program (WT Course ID #: C55220G)

The Preschool Foundation Certificate provides a foundation for early childhood professionals working with young children through five courses. The certificate is stackable within the Early Childhood Education diploma and associate degree.

Upon completion of EDU 119, the student earns the North Carolina Early Childhood Credential and qualifies to be the lead teacher in a child care center. Additionally, all courses with EDU prefixes are used to evaluate the educational level of each child care provider by the North Carolina Division of Child Development and Early Education.


Certificates program (WT Course ID #: C55220E)

The School-Age Certificate provides a strong foundation for early childhood professionals working with school-age children through six courses. The School-Age Certificate enables the student to receive two state credentials.

Upon successful completion of EDU 119, the student earns the North Carolina Early Childhood Credential and qualifies to be the lead teacher in a child care center.

By successfully completing EDU 145 and either EDU 235 or EDU 263, the student receives the North Carolina School-Age Credential.

Additionally, all courses with EDU prefixes are used to evaluate the educational level of each child care provider by the North Carolina Division of Child Development and Early Education.