• Education Associate: Bilingual Child

    This program is designed for students interested in pursuing teaching as a career with a focus on second language learners. 

  • The program is coordinated by the Education and Language Acquisition Department and awards the Associate in Arts (AA) degree. Since the program focuses on Spanish-speaking children, candidates for admission are expected to demonstrate oral and written proficiency in Spanish equivalent to ELS105 Spanish for Fluent Speakers I. Through Education internships, students will complete 120 hours in a school setting giving them many opportunities to observe teachers in their classrooms. In addition, students will take a seminar focusing on the principles of bilingual education that will familiarize them with current practice. 

  •  Advising Team

    In support of the LaGuardia’s mission to educate and graduate its students to become critical thinkers and socially responsible citizens, the College has undertaken a team approach toward advising, designed to support you in your major from orientation through graduation.

    Your Advising Team is made up of faculty, professional and peer advisors. They will guide you at every step during your college career. They are ready to help you:

    • Explore your major
    • Select introductory and advanced courses
    • Connect you with campus support services
    • Prepare an educational and career plan

    Visit the Advising page to learn more about when to get advised and how to prepare for an advising appointment, and check out the Advising Calendar for information sessions, events and more.


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     Career Profile and Transfer Opportunities

    Career Profile

    Elementary school teachers are required to have a bachelor’s degree in addition to state certification; New York City public school teachers are required to obtain a master’s degree. Private schools have various degree and certification requirements. The Education Associate: Bilingual Child program at LaGuardia will prepare you for continued studies to earn a four-year degree

    According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of elementary school teachers is expected to grow 6 percent from 2014 to 2024, and the median salary of elementary school teachers in 2015 was $54,550.

    *Explore career possibilities on Career Connect.

    *Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2016-17 Edition, Kindergarten and Elementary School Teachers, on the Internet at  http://www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/kindergarten-and-elementary-school-teachers.htm (visited August29, 2016).

    Transfer Opportunities

    The Bilingual Child program is articulated with City College’s major in Childhood Education. Upon transfer, students are expected to complete a Liberal Arts major and co-major in education. Therefore, students should consult with a faculty member of their Advising Team for elective course selection, to ensure maximum transferability of credits taken at LaGuardia, and visit the Office of Transfer Services for assistance.

    Visit the Articulation Agreements page to learn more about transfer opportunities.


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     Degree Map – Graduate in Two Years

    Current Students
    Log in to My LaGuardia to review your Degree Audit to find out what classes to take. Have questions about using Degree Audit? Visit LaGuardia's Degree Audit page for tutorials and how-to guides.

    Prospective Students
    Review the curriculum.

    Please note: Students will be held to the program and degree requirements of the year that they enter the College, unless the student changes their major in a different academic year. In that case, the student will be held to the current year requirements as listed in the catalog. Learn more.

    Degree Map
    Use the Degree Map and DegreeWorks to assist in academic planning and creating your own graduation plan in ePortfolio. See a full list of Flexible Core courses on the Pathways page.

    For information about this program’s retention and graduation rate visit the Office of Institutional Research and Assessment website page.

     Fieldwork

    The Bilingual Child program has two internships that are designed to integrate theory and practice. The intent of the internships is to involve students in the educational life of the classroom, to let them experience a variety of school settings and to learn beginning skills in a teaching role. Through this experiential component, students will have the opportunity to clarify their personal goals, gain insight into the teaching profession and make informed career decisions about continuing in the field of urban education.

     Required NYCDOE Fingerprinting for Fieldwork and Observations

    All Education and TESOL students at LaGuardia Community College must be registered in the New York City Department of Education (NYCDOE) Personnel Eligibility Tracking System (PETS) database specifically for LaGuardia Community College students and Fingerprinted by the NYCDOE before registering for an education course. Click here for New York City Department of Education (NYCDOE) Fingerprint Verification and Security Clearance Requirements.