Early Childhood Associate (A55220AR), Articulation Track, AAS

Purpose

The Early Childhood Education curriculum prepares individuals to work with children from birth through eight in diverse learning environments. Students will combine learned theories with practice in actual settings with young children under the supervision of qualified teachers.

Course work includes child growth and development; physical/nutritional needs of children; care and guidance of children; and communication skills with families and children. Students will foster the cognitive/language, physical/motor, social/emotional and creative development of young children.

Graduates are prepared to plan and implement developmentally appropriate programs in early childhood settings. Employment opportunities include child development and child care programs, preschools, public and private schools, recreational centers, Head Start Programs, and school age programs.

Admission Requirements and Special Conditions

A high school diploma (or equivalent), satisfactory scores on college placement tests (or equivalent) and a minimum GPA in English and mathematics are required. If students have deficiencies in English and/or mathematics, RCC offers pre-college courses to prepare students for the Early Childhood Associate curriculum.

Special Accreditation Status

The Early Childhood Associate program is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).

NAEYC

1313 L St. N.W. Suite 500
Washington DC 20005
http://www.naeyc.org/ecada/ [opens in a new tab]

Program Curriculum

First Semester (Fall)

ACA 111 - College Student Success Credit Hours: 1
CIS 110 - Introduction to Computers Credit Hours: 3
EDU 119 - Intro to Early Child Education Credit Hours: 4
EDU 131 - Child, Family, & Community Credit Hours: 3
EDU 151 - Creative Activities Credit Hours: 3
ENG 111 - Writing and Inquiry Credit Hours: 3

Class Hours 16 | Lab Hours 2 | Credit Hours 17

Second Semester (Spring)

EDU 153 - Health, Safety & Nutrition Credit Hours: 3
ENG 112 - Writing/Research in the Disciplines Credit Hours: 3
MAT 143 - Quantitative Literacy Credit Hours: 3
EDU 146 - Child Guidance Credit Hours: 3
EDU 144 - Child Development I Credit Hours: 3
EDU 145 - Child Development II Credit Hours: 3

Class Hours 18 | Credit Hours 18

Fourth Semester (Fall)

HEA 112 - First Aid & CPR Credit Hours: 2
EDU 271 - Educational Technology Credit Hours: 3
Humanities/Fine Arts Elective Credit Hours: 3
EDU 234 - Infants, Toddlers, & Twos Credit Hours: 3
EDU 259 - Curriculum Planning Credit Hours: 3
SOC 210 - Introduction to Sociology Credit Hours: 3

Class Hours 15 | Lab Hours 4 | Credit Hours 17

Fifth Semester (Spring)

SOC 213 - Sociology of the Family Credit Hours: 3
EDU 280 - Language & Literacy Experiences Credit Hours: 3
EDU 250 - Praxis I Preparation Credit Hours: 1
EDU 221 - Children with Exceptionalities Credit Hours: 3
EDU 284 - Early Child Capstone Practice Credit Hours: 4

Class Hours 11 | Lab Hours 9 | Credit Hours 14

Total Credit Hours 66

Additional Curriculum Notes

Early Childhood Articulation Track–prepares individuals to transfer to the University of North Carolina at Pembroke in their Birth – Kindergarten program. Students will complete the following courses in this track: EDU 250 , SOC 213 and HEA 112 .
The Humanities/Fine Arts elective can be satisfied by completing one of the following: ART 111 , MUS 110 , MUS 112 , ENG 231 , PHI 215 or PHI 240 .
Criminal Background Check: Students entering the Early Childhood Practicum are required to undergo a criminal background check and/or drug testing prior to participation at the practicum site. Students should be aware that their progress to graduation might be limited by an inability to complete the practicum portion of the program. Additionally, students are responsible for submitting appropriate and required documentation to their practicum site director. The student is responsible for the scheduling and costs associated with completing this requirement and mandatory tests such as TB tests.