Early Childhood Development, AAS

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This is a G3-eligible program. Click here to learn more.

Program Description/Purpose: Designed to provide professional development for people entering or presently employed in childcare charged with the care, development, and education of young children. This program also provides the foundation for transfer into a bachelor’s degree program for childcare professionals and potential Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 3 teachers.

Occupational Outcomes: Possible occupations for graduates include program teachers and teaching assistants, leaders, supervisors, or directors in child development programs.

Program Student Learning Outcomes

Students will analyze children’s environments based on the Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale (ECERS) standards.
Students will apply formal child observation and documentation techniques, analyzing the results for each child’s strengths and weaknesses in each domain.
Students will demonstrate the ability to write effective lesson plans based on state standards, incorporating play, differentiated instruction, and family engagement.
Students will demonstrate an understanding of the NAYEC Professional Standards and Competencies for Early Childhood Educators through a portfolio project.

Courses are displayed under the semester in which they are regularly offered and are recommended to be taken in this sequence to ensure timely graduation. It is possible that a course shown in a particular semester may not be offered due to low enrollment or other factors.

Program Curriculum

Fall Semester

Spring Semester

Fall Semester

CHD 146 - Math, Science, & Social Studies for Children 3 cr.
EDU 200 - Foundations of Education 3 cr. ²
ENG 112 - College Composition II 3 cr.
MTH 154 - Quantitative Reasoning 3 cr.
PSY 230 - Developmental Psychology 3 cr.

Spring Semester

Program Total: 62 Credits

¹ CHD 165  is a practicum course, with 40 hours of observation, and participation in a childcare center is required. Students may need a background check, fingerprinting, and/or TB Screening at the student’s expense.
² EDU 200  is a practicum course, with 40 hours of observation, and participation in a field setting. Students may need a background check, fingerprinting, and/or TB Screening at the student’s expense.
³ CHD 265  is a practicum course, with 40 hours of observation, and participation in a field setting. Must be eligible to work with young children according to Department of Social Services requirements.