Early Childhood Education A.A.S. (ECE)

*This is an overview of the program. The course sequencing is meant to serve as a guideline for your semester planning. Please note that the scheduling of courses, program sequencing and curriculum are subject to change.*

This program prepares the graduate to work with children aged birth through 9. Students who complete the AAS in ECE are qualified as a group supervisor or head teacher in an early care and education program including Head Start classrooms and child care centers with children in infant/toddler, preschool or school-age care. With additional experience, graduates can be qualified to be center directors. Students who transfer to four-year colleges work towards pre-K to 4th grade teacher certification for employment in early childhood or elementary school settings.

Early Childhood Education Program Manual 2011-2012

Upon successful completion of this program, graduates will be able to:

  • summarize patterns of child growth and development in children aged 0-8.

  • utilize appropriate regulations and best practices to design and implement a quality early childhood environment.

  • connect theories of learning and developmentally appropriate practice to create and implement quality curriculum units for early childhood classrooms.

  • formulate a plan for supporting collaborative family relationships.

  • summarize the role of advocacy for the early childhood profession.

  • demonstrate proper supervision of children in early education classrooms.

First Semester   Credits
ENG 105 College English I 3
ECE 110 Fundamentals of Early Childhood Education 3
ECE 120* Children’s Growth and Development 3
or ECE 125* Education and Care of Infants and Toddlers 3
MAT 125 Fundamentals of Mathematics I 3
Elective Political Science, Psychology, or Sociology 3
  Semester Total 15
     
Second Semester    
ENG 106 College English II 3
ECE 130* Integrating the Arts and Play in Early Childhood 3
ECE 140* Observation and Recording Techniques 3
EDU 105 Introduction to Special Education 3
MAT 126 Fundamentals of Mathematics II 3-4
  Semester Total 15-16
     
Third Semester    
ECE 210* Intergrating Curriculum in Early Childhood 3
ECE 215* Language and Literacy 3
Elective History or Geography 3
Elective Lab Science 4-5
Elective American/British Literature 3
  Semester Total 15
     
Fourth Semester    
ECE 220 Internship 6
ECE 225 The Early Childhood Professional 3
Elective Humanities 3
Elective General Education 3
  Semester Total 15
  Credit Total 61-62

Teacher Education Advisement guidelines for students seeking a teaching career and/or program of study for transfer into a four-year college program. Students can select and tailor their program based on career goals. Students intending to transfer need to refer to courses in bold when given a choice.

Recommended Electives:
Science Electives: BIO 101, 105 CHE, PHY 101

*Early Childhood Lab (two hours per week per designated course) – field experiences and observations at a variety of inclusive settings. Physical exam and TB screening required.

Up to 15 ECE credits can be transferred from a regionally accredited college. It is highly preferred that ECE credits transfer from a NAEYC Accredited ECE program of study.