Bunker Hill Community College

Education Transfer Program

Program Descriptions and Grids - click here.

Mission and Purpose of the Education Transfer Program
Mission.  The department’s mission statement and goals state two primary purposes.  These are: 
(1)  To provide knowledge, training and skill development for persons interested in working in the area of social services with specific educational opportunities for those interested in early childhood development, human services, and education.
(2)  To serve the community as an information and knowledge-base in the area of social service, with specific expertise in early childhood education and development, human services, and education.

Goals.  The department will meet these purposes for the student in the Education Transfer Program by pursuing four goals.  These include:
(1)  To provide a program of study which will develop sufficient student competence so that graduates might enter directly into entry level positions assuming responsibility as paraprofessionals in educational settings.
(2)  To provide a program of study which will prepare graduates for upper-division collegiate work in a four year program which upon completion will lead to increased responsibility in educational settings.
(3)  To provide a program of study which will upgrade the skills and knowledge-base of persons currently working the field of education, increasing their competence in their professional activities.
(4)  To participate in community activities in education by collaboration with community organizations and professionals working in the areas of teaching and learning in educational settings.

The current activity of the Education Transfer Program clearly fits into these purposes and goals.  The catalog states that the two year program of study of Education is intended to prepare students as paraprofessionals in careers that direct the delivery of services to students in educational settings. Students must transfer to a four year college to complete state requirements for Teacher Certification.  Prior to completion of this advanced degree some employment opportunities exist in organizations employing paraprofessionals in educational classrooms. 
In the A.A. program, students may transfer their credits with ease to a bachelor’s level program at many four-year colleges or universities with a number of general education majors and further work in education coursework.  

Special Application Requirements
There are no special application requirements for students beyond those required by the college for admissions.  Because students are not required to do student teaching in this program, they are not asked to submit to a Criminal Offense Records Investigation in this academic program.  However, a CORI will be required of the student before being placed in community settings or practicum sites in the future. Those students with concerns about the CORI requirements should see the college CORI officer for further information

Program Competencies
Once completing the Associate of Arts in Education at Bunker Hill Community College, the graduate will show competency in all areas of General Education, including but not limited to the following areas:

• Demonstrate skills as critical thinkers, readers, and writers.
•  Describe the interaction of history, culture, literature, economics, and science as studied within a broad liberal arts curriculum
• Describe the characteristics of the major psychological theories.
• Understand current perspectives regarding the relationship between the mind and body.
• Demonstrate an understanding of chronology for their subject.
• Articulate the importance of information synthesis.
• Use currently accepted science concepts to investigate problems and ideas presented in college level science coursework.
• Use science concepts to evaluate their own science-related concerns such as personal health or careers in teaching of science.
• Use laboratory technology, equipment, and techniques critically and safely to investigate scientific problems using proper scientific methods.
• Demonstrate analytical skill in evaluating people and problems.
• Analyze and solve quantitative problems.
• Reason logically from hypothesis to conclusion.
• Understand and appreciate an analytical approach to problem solving.

Associate in Arts concentrations are designed to permit the student to transfer smoothly to four-year colleges and universities. Although extreme care has been taken by fashioning these transfer-focused degrees, the student is advised to consult the institution to which he/she wishes to transfer to make the wisest choice of courses at BHCC. These students should also work with the BHCC transfer counselor and academic advisors in planning both the curriculum at BHCC and the transfer process.

Generic Syllabi. 
There are not generic syllabi for this program beyond those offered in Early Childhood, Human Services or from ther General Education Departments.

Special Certifications
There are no special certifications attached to this transfer program Students must graduate with a bachelor’s degree from a 4-year college before being certified to teach in the K-12 school system in the Commonwealth. This program DOES NOT certify a student to work as a qualified teacher in early care and education programs or child care.

For further information regarding these requirements, contact the Department Chair and the Coordinator of the Urban Teaching Program.

Program Success
Program success is judged throughout the program by looking at student’s work and learning in a number of ways.  Student success in general education coursework is the main success measurement.  Each department offering General Education coursework has its own student outcome assessment plan.  See specifics of these in each individual department for more detail.

The Urban Teaching Program
The mission of BHCC’s Urban Teaching Program is to create a career pathway for students who are interested in teaching in the K-12 system.  The participants meet with the coordinator to enrich their educational experience through mentoring, mutual support, and special programs. Eligibility for the program includes a competitive application process, a GPA of 3.0 or higher, 12 earned credits, and two academic references. The program covers tuition and fees. For more information, please contact Andy Reyes, UTP Coordinator at areyes@bhcc.mass.edu or call (617) 228-2033.

Practicum sites/information
There is no practicum experience in this program. All student teaching will be done at the four-year level.

Life Learning credits through Prior Learning Assessment Program
Students may be eligible for credit through the Prior Learning Assessment Program if they have completed work in the following areas

• Family Development Credentialing Program (applicable to Early Childhood and Human Services Programs or as elective in Education program)
• Child Development Associate Credentialing (applicable to Early Childhood Programs or as elective in Human Service Program or Education program)
• BEST Youth Development Training Program (applicable to Human Services Program and Early Childhood Programs or as elective in Education program).

For further information, contact the Director of the PLAP program at (617) 228-2350

Specialty options
There are no specialty options in this program

Articulations
Students may transfer credits into the program according to the college’s requirements for transfer. These courses may be from either two or four year colleges. See the Admissions office for specific information about transfer.

Students may transfer coursework out to a number of four-year colleges. Formal articulations are in place for most all courses to transfer with UMass Boston (College of Public and Community Service), Lesley University, Springfield College, Salem State University, Bridgewater State, and Wheelock College. Informal agreements also exist with some transfer at Cambridge College, and other local colleges. Students should contact their four-year college for specific information about transfer.

Accreditations
This program does not have accreditations attached to its curriculum.

Job outlooks
Graduates of this concentration, which meets all the requirements of the Commonwealth Transfer Compact, qualify to transfer to four-year colleges or universities as juniors. Potential teaching careers include teacher aid; early elementary, later elementary, middle school and high school teaching; preschool and kindergarten teaching; and special education teaching. Students must obtain a bachelor’s degree as the minimum requirement for entry into these fields. Graduate work may be necessary, as well.

Upon completetion of this concentration graduates will be able to:

• Describe the interaction of history, culture, literature, economics, and science as studied within a broad liberal arts curriculum.
• Demonstrate a mastery in reading and writing/ literacy skills and the organization of critical thinking and problem solving behaviors.