A.R.E. Cohort
North Seattle College and Academy of Rising Educators Partnership
North Seattle College (NSC) has partnered with Seattle Public Schools Academy of Rising Stars (ARE) to create a pathway allowing students to enter our program and earn a Bachelor of Applied Science Degree in Early Childhood Education. Our addition of the ARE program honors our commitment to building a diverse student body and will aim to help close the teacher representation gap at the elementary level.
Students in this program will be connected to resources they can utilize to support them in applying to master’s in teaching programs, at universities following the completion of their BAS Degree. Students who are accepted to the University of Washington’s Masters in Teaching program will be eligible to compete for tuition funding that has been created specifically for this program in partnership with Seattle Public Schools.
Program Eligibility
This degree builds off the Academy for Rising Educators Associate of Arts Degree offered at Seattle Central College and funded in partnership with Seattle Public Schools. Students must first complete this degree or be referred to us by Program Manager Matthew Goode at magoode@seattleschools.org. If you are not currently a student in the ARE Associate Degree program, please learn more about eligibility for the program.
Bachelor of Applied Science Degree (BAS)
The Early Childhood Education Bachelor of Applied Science Degree (BAS) program prepares students for jobs as lead infant/preschool teachers and administrative/leadership positions at early learning programs and related nonprofits. Students who go on to earn a Master’s in Teaching will also be eligible to teach in elementary school settings. Our program’s emphasis is upon teaching students age 0-8. Students will learn research-based teaching and coaching practices through coursework and an embedded practicum. Students complete 90 credits on average; this varies depending on previous college coursework.
Curriculum
The degree provides professional development training for early care and education professionals, allowing them to keep pace with the increasing professionalization of the field. The curriculum is designed to align with accreditation standards established by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). We aim to prepare educators who are skilled in addressing and undoing barriers of inequity and biases. This emphasis upon anti-bias education forms the foundation of our curriculum and programming.
Program Format
This program began a cohort in Fall 21 and a cohort in Fall 22, both in virtual format. Classes run Tuesday-Thursday evenings on Zoom, with additional community building gatherings scheduled on a quarterly basis. All scheduling is done with full time working professional students in mind, specifically professionals working on a public school schedule and calendar.
Please see our Program format mapping
Prerequisites
If you are currently completing the ARE Associate of Arts program at Seattle Central College, you will not need to complete any additional courses prior to entering the ECE BAS program. However, if you are coming in with a different academic background outside the ARE Associate of Arts at Central, you will need to work with an advisor to complete prerequisite courses. Individual education plans will vary. For assistance determining which classes you need and registering, , contact Anna Saradeth, anna.saradeth@seattlecolleges.edu. These classes are offered at North Seattle College only.
If you have never been a student at North Seattle College please note that you will need to apply to the college first.
Educators who have at least two years of full-time work experience with children ages 0-8 may also attempt to waive the two courses by exam; you will receive access to these free online exams at the time of admission.
Applying for the Program
If you are seeking support with the application process, please reach out to Anna Saradeth, anna.saradeth@seattlecolleges.edu and/or Annie Garrett, annie.garrett@seattlecolleges.edu for assistance.
Faculty and Staff
Anna Saradeth - Advisor
Annie Garrett - Manager, ECE BAS
William White - Faculty Coordinator, ARE Cohort