Early Childhood Education

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Certificate of Occupational TrainingAssociate of Science Degree

The Early Childhood Education program is designed to provide you with the introductory knowledge and skills to work with young children and families in various early childhood settings. Specific emphasis is placed on the young child’s growth and development, working with children in the inclusive classroom, health and nutrition needs, and lesson planning and implementation.

The program’s curriculum links applied theory to practice, ethics, and professionalism, and provides a foundation in critical thinking and communication skills to support the roles and responsibilities of early childcare professionals in diverse learning environments.

Program Length

The Associate of Science Degree in Early Childhood Education is a transfer degree intended for those students who will continue a four-year bachelor degree in early childhood education. The degree consists of general education courses and child development courses. Maximum transferability for the associate of arts degree can be assured when students carefully coordinate their associate of arts degree course work with the general education requirements of the four‑year institution to which they plan to transfer.

Early Childhood Education students may also choose to pursue a Certificate of Occupational Training (COT), a 32 credit hour concentration program consisting of the early childhood education courses found in the Associate of Science Degree.

Program Learning Outcomes

In addition to supporting institutional learning outcomes and building upon the foundational general education outcomes, upon completion of this program students will be able to:

  • Students will analyze and discuss current early childhood education issues, theories, and research.
  • Students will demonstrate knowledge of and respect for variations across cultures, in terms of family structures, expectations, values, and child-rearing practices.
  • Students will demonstrate effective oral and written communication through situational presentations and portfolios.
  • Students will demonstrate the knowledge needed to engage in and perform effectively in collaborative relationships with parents, guardians, families, and community stakeholders in meeting the needs of each child.
  • Students will use reflective practices to examine and evaluate their own reasons and commitment to becoming an early childhood teacher.