Early Childhood Education-Career Track (A55220CR), AAS

Career Track

This track is designed for those individuals who are interested in a career in the Early Childhood field but do not intend on transferring to a four-year institution.

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 [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, and Community Credit Hours: 3
• EDU 151 - Creative Activities Credit Hours: 3
• ENG 111 - Writing and Inquiry Credit Hours: 3

Second Semester (Spring)

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

Third Semester (Summer)

• Humanities/ Fine Arts - Elective Credit Hours: 3
• SOC 210 - Introduction to Sociology Credit Hours: 3

Fourth Semester (Fall)

• COM 231 - Public Speaking Credit Hours: 3
• EDU 234 - Infants, Toddlers, and Twos Credit Hours: 3
• Early Childhood - Elective Credit Hours: 2 or 3
• EDU Elective Credit Hours: 2 or 3 (See below for choices)
• EDU Elective Credit Hours: 2 or 3 (See below for choices)
• PSY 150 - General Psychology Credit Hours: 3

Fifth Semester (Spring)

• Early Childhood - Elective Credit Hours: 2 or 3
• EDU 221 - Children with Exceptionalities Credit Hours: 3
• EDU 280 - Language/Literacy Experiences Credit Hours: 3
• EDU 284 - Early Child Capstone Prac Credit Hours: 4

Total Credit Hours 71

Additional Curriculum Notes

1. The Humanities/Fine Arts elective can be satisfied by completing one of the following: ART 111 , ENG 231 , ENG 232 , ENG 241 , ENG 242 , MUS 110 , MUS 112 , PHI 215  or PHI 240 .
2. 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.
3. Early Childhood (EDU) Electives: Select a minimum of 11 credit hours from the following:

Prerequisites must be satisfied before starting a selected course.

• EDU 158 - Healthy Lifestyles-Youth Credit Hours: 3
• EDU 235 - School-Age Develop & Programs Credit Hours: 3
• EDU 261 - Early Childhood Admin I Credit Hours: 3
• EDU 262 - Early Childhood Admin II Credit Hours: 3
• EDU 263 - School-Age Program Admin Credit Hours: 2
• EDU 271 - Educational Technology Credit Hours: 3