Early Childhood Education
Associate in Science Degree
(61 semester hours minimum)
This program is designed for students who wish to enter
the field of Early Childhood Education or who are already employed in the
field and wish to earn a credential by expanding their knowledge and
competency in working with children from birth to age 8. The program will
provide students with the skills and knowledge to develop competency in
working with children. The courses will provide the theoretical background
and practical experience necessary for students to succeed in a variety of
educational settings. Program graduates will be qualified to seek employment
in early care programs. Students may transfer to a four-year institution for
further study.
In addition to General Education Outcomes, learners who complete the Early Childhood Education degree will:
- Identify, document and assess elements that determine quality in early childhood programs
- Design a learning environment and use teaching strategies that are based upon child development theory
- Plan, implement and evaluate a developmentally appropriate curriculum that fosters children’s social, emotional, physical and cognitive development
- Examine program philosophy and goals, classroom design, teacher/child interaction, planning and implementation of curriculum, observation and assessment of the young child and family involvement in a variety of early childhood settings
- Demonstrate good early childhood practice in an early childhood setting
For more information contact Program Coordinator Susan Spencer.
General Education Core
(See also General Requirements)
| Communication Skills - 6 Credits | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| ENG* 101 | Composition | 3 |
| COM* 171 | Fundamentals of Human Communication | 3 |
| Humanities - 6 Credits | ||
| ENG* 114 | Children's Literature | 3 |
| ART* ELE | (Fine Arts or Music Appreciation Elective) | 3 |
| Math/Science - 6 - 7 Credits | ||
| MAT* 146 | Math for Liberal Arts | 3 |
| SCI* ELE | Science Elective | 3-4 |
| Social Sciences - 9 Credits | ||
| PSY* 112 | General Psychology II | 3 |
| ANT* 105 | Introduction to Cultural Anthropology | 3 |
| CSA* 105 | Introduction to Software Applications | 3 |
| General Education Core Credits | 27/28 | |
| Program Core | ||
| ECE * 101 | Introduction to Early Childhood Education | 3 |
| ECE* 103 | Creative Experiences for Children | 3 |
| ECE* 109 | Science and Math for Children | 3 |
| ECE* 176 | Health, Safety, & Nutrition | 3 |
| ECE* 182 | Child Development | 3 |
| ECE* 210 | Observation and Participation | 3 |
| ECE* 215 | The Exceptional Learner | 3 |
| ECE* 231 | Early Language and Literacy Development | 3 |
| ECE* 295 | Student Teaching | 6 |
| Open Elective | 3 | |
| Program Core Credits | 33 | |
| Total Program Credits | 60/61 | |