PURPOSE: The two-year degree program in Early Childhood Development is designed to prepare students with skills and theoretical knowledge related to the care, supervision, education, and development of young children from birth to age twelve. Upon successful completion of the curriculum, students will be prepared to seek employment in a variety of positions in the childcare field.
OCCUPATIONAL OBJECTIVES: Employment opportunities include preparation or upgrading of skills for positions as childcare center directors, assistant directors, before- and after-school teachers or assistant teachers, aides, playroom attendants, home-based providers or day care workers, camp directors, and before- and after-school teachers in the following types of facilities: child day care centers, nursery schools, family daycare homes, Head Start programs, recreational before- and after-school programs, hospital-based childcare programs, pre-school at-risk programs, and pre-kindergarten church-sponsored programs.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS: General college curricular admission
PROGRAM NOTES: General college curricular admission, including direct enrollment English and Math placement. Students who do not meet required placement levels must enroll in developmental studies courses. It is recommended that students arrange for a personal interview and advising appointment with the program head.
It is recommended that students take courses in the sequence listed in the catalog. Students must attain a grade of “C” or higher in all courses with CHD, EDU, and PSY prefixes. An observation and participation in an approved early childhood/primary setting are required. This is practicum experience internship in a licensed or approved childcare setting. It is a planned learning experience for the purpose of pulling together theories and practices learned in the classroom. A Criminal Record Clearance/Sex Offender Registry check is required for placement and volunteering. Students should see the program head for a list of convictions that will prevent employment. Students will be expected to complete a tuberculosis test before placement.
The purpose of the associate of applied science (AAS) degree curriculum is to prepare students for immediate employment upon graduation. Four-year college and university transfer opportunities for associate of applied science degrees, if existing, are usually very specific in nature. Students may, however, substitute some courses in the AAS degree curriculum with courses that generally transfer to senior institutions. Students should consult their advisor at the earliest possible date for further guidance and are advised to get assurances in writing in advance from the institution to which they wish to transfer.
COMPUTER COMPETENCY REQUIREMENT: Students in this program will meet the college’s computer competency requirement by successfully completing ITE 152 , or EDU 280 (Introduction to Instructional Technologies) . Students can also meet this requirement by passing the college’s computer competency exam, administered in the testing centers on each campus, in which case they will receive college credit for ITE 152 . Students not passing the computer competency exam may retake the exam only once.
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