Early Childhood Education, A.A.S.

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The Early Childhood Education major provides the educational needs of the child care industry as well as the Head Start teachers and teacher assistants in public Early Childhood and Early Childhood Special Education classrooms.

The Associate of Applied Science degree in Early Childhood Education is fully accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).

National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)

1313 L Street NW, Suite 500

Washington, D.C., 20005

202-232-8777

800-424-2460 (www.naeyc.org)

This major is specifically designed for students who plan to enter the workforce after graduation. Students who plan to pursue a baccalaureate degree should follow the Pre K-3 emphasis in the Teaching Major leading to the Associate of Science degree.

To facilitate success in this program, all students should enroll in ORN 1010 - Orientation: Learning to Succeed during their first semester at DSCC.

TYPICAL JOBS: Head Start teacher, teacher assistant in public school, Department of Education Pre-K assistant, lead teacher in child care program, possibly child care director, preschool curriculum coordinator, CDA advisor, consultant

Major/Concentration Codes: ECEM-ECEC

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General Education Requirements:

ENGL 1010 - English Composition I Credits: 3
Humanities/Fine Arts Elective Credits: 3^*
Social Sciences Elective Credits: 3^*
MATH 1410 - Number Concepts for Teachers Credits: 3
-OR- MATH 1710 - Precalculus Algebra Credits: 3
Natural Science Elective Credits: 4^*
History Elective Credits: 3^*
COMM 2025 - Fundamentals of Communication Credits: 3

Additional Degree Requirements:

ECEd 1310 - Introduction to Early Childhood Education Credits: 3
ECEd 2310 - Safe Healthy Learning Environments Credits: 3
ECEd 2315 - Early Childhood Curriculum Credits: 3
ECEd 2320 - Infant, Toddler, and Child Development Credits: 3
ECEd 2335 - Initial Practicum Credits: 3
ECEd 2340 - Family Dynamics & Community Involvement Credits: 3
ECEd 2360 - Development of Exceptional Children Credits: 3
-OR- EDU 240 - Development of the Exceptional Child Credits: 3
ECEd 2365 - Final Practicum Credits: 3
ECEd 2370 - Developmental Assessment Credits: 3
ECEd 2380 - Language and Literacy in Early Childhood Credits: 3
ECEd 2385 - Math and Science in Early Childhood Credits: 3
ECEd 2312 - Administration of Early Childhood Programs Credits: 3
-OR- ECEd 2330 - Infant and Toddler Care Credits: 3
-OR- ECEd 2390 - Creative Development Credits: 3
ORN 1010 - Orientation: Learning to Succeed Credits: 3

Total: 61 Semester Hours

^*For lists of eligible electives, see the appropriate section of the General Education Core Curriculum Requirements .