teacher standing in front of classroom where children are raising their hands

Who is Eligible to Apply?

To be eligible to apply to Pierce College's Bachelor of Applied Science in Teaching program, the following must be true or complete:

  • Can pass a character and fitness assessment with background check/fingerprints through the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI)
  • Have completed (or are in the process of completing) a basic skills exam (WEST-B, SAT, ACT) with sections for reading, mathematics, and writing. There is no minimum or cut score required to apply.
  • Follow one of the three degree/coursework pathways with a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA in all education-related coursework (ECED/ECE/EDUC courses)

Pathway 1: Associate of Applied Science Transfer (AAS-T) in Early Childhood Education

Complete an Associate of Applied Science Transfer (AAS-T) in Early Childhood Education degree from an accredited institution.

  • Must include ENGL&101 and MATH111 (or another approved college-level math course).

Pathway 2: Associate of Arts Direct Transfer Agreement (AA-DTA) degree

Complete an Associate of Arts Direct Transfer Agreement (AA-DTA) degree from an accredited institution as well as the following early childhood education prerequisites:

  • ECED& 105: Introduction to Early Childhood Education (5 credits)
  • EDUC& 115: Child Development (5 credits)
  • EDUC& 130: Guiding Behavior (3 credits)
  • EDUC& 150: Child, Family and Community (3 credits) *
  • ECED& 160: Curriculum Development (5 credits) *
  • ECED& 190: Observation and Assessment (3 credits) *

Pathway 3: 90 College-Level Credits

Have completed at least 90 college-level quarter credits with the following core course distributions represented:

  • 5 credits of Communication Skills (CS) – must be ENGL&101
  • 5 credits of Quantitative Skills (QM)
  • 10 credits of Humanities (HM)
  • 5 credits of Social Science (SS)
  • 5 credits of Natural Science (NS) with lab
  • 10 credits of Quantitative Skills, Humanities, Social Science, or Natural Science

Applicants utilizing Pathway 3 must also complete the following early childhood education prerequisites:

  • ECED& 105: Introduction to Early Childhood Education (5 credits)
  • EDUC& 115: Child Development (5 credits)
  • EDUC& 130: Guiding Behavior (3 credits)
  • EDUC& 150: Child, Family and Community (3 credits) *
  • ECED& 160: Curriculum Development (5 credits) *
  • ECED& 190: Observation and Assessment (3 credits) *

* Applicants utilizing Pathways 2 or 3 may submit a portfolio demonstrating that they have met the program outcomes for early childhood education prerequisites EDUC& 150, ECED& 160, and ECED& 190, allowing them to waive those courses. To be eligible, applicants must have been working with children aged 0-8 for at least two years and have been engaged in professional development in early childhood education. If you meet those requirements, you can submit a portfolio with your BAS-T application and it will be assessed by an early childhood professor using the AAS-T Equivalency Portfolio Assessment criteria.