Early Childhood/Primary Grades Education, A.A.S.

The Associate of Applied Science degree career program in Early Childhood and Primary Grades Education prepares individuals to work as lead teachers and directors of child care centers and preschools or to assist teachers in the instructional process in Pre-K through Grade 3 in public schools. While many of the Early Childhood courses transfer to four-year institutions, the primary purpose of the A.A.S. degree is to prepare students for immediate employment in a variety of child care settings. Students are required to submit a professional portfolio that meets the standards of the Education faculty prior to graduation.

View the Early Childhood Education Fact Sheet.

Program Pathway

First Year Fall			First Year Spring
Course Number	Course Name	Credits	Course Number	Course Name	Credits
ENG 101	English Composition *(ENG 101E and ENG 101P are approved substitutions for ENG 101)	3	ENG 102	Advanced English Composition	3
MAT 116 OR MAT 160	Statistical Reasoning OR Precalculus I	3	Gen Ed	Arts/Humanities	3
Gen Ed	Diversity	3	Gen Ed	Biological/Physical Science; 3-4 credits	3
PSY 101	General Psychology	3	EDU 114	The Developing Child	3
EDU 103	Foundations of Early Childhood Education	3	EDU 115	Methods and Materials in Early Childhood Education	3
TOTAL		15	TOTAL		15
Second Year Fall			Second Year Spring
Course Number	Course Name	Credits	Course Number	Course Name	Credits
PSY 203	Educational Psychology	3	ENG 104	Children’s Literature	3
PED 215	Early Childhood Physical Activities	3	EDU 211	Introduction to Special Education	3
MUS 205	Music Skills for the Classroom Teacher	3	EDU 215	Child Care Center Administration and Management	3
EDU 117	School Age Child Care Seminar I	3	Elective	Choose in consultation with an advisor	3
EDU 212	Processes and Acquisition of Reading	3	EDU 240	Education Capstone Field Experience	3
TOTAL		15	TOTAL		15

General Education Requirements (21-22 Credits)

Arts/Humanities

Select one course from the approved General Education course list in the Arts/Humanities category (3 Credits)

Behavioral/Social Sciences

PSY 101 - General Psychology (3 Credits)

Biological/Physical Science

Select one course from the approved General Education course list in the Biological/Physical Science category (3-4 Credits)

Diversity

Select one course from the approved General Education course list in the Diversity category (3 Credits)

English

*A minimum grade of “C” or better is required for ENG-101, ENG-101E, and ENG-101P

ENG 101 - English Composition (3 Credits)
*( ENG 101E - English Composition for English Language Learners and ENG 101P - English Composition for College Success are approved substitutions for ENG 101)
ENG 102 - Advanced English Composition (3 Credits)

Mathematics

MAT 116 - Statistical Reasoning (3 Credits)
OR
MAT 160 - Precalculus I (3 Credits)

Program Requirements (36 Credits)

EDU 103 - Foundations of Early Childhood Education (3 Credits)
EDU 114 - The Developing Child (3 Credits)
EDU 115 - Methods and Materials in Early Childhood Education (3 Credits)
EDU 117 - School Age Child Care Seminar I (3 Credits)
EDU 211 - Introduction to Special Education (3 Credits)
EDU 212 - Processes and Acquisition of Reading (3 Credits)
EDU 215 - Child Care Center Administration and Management (3 Credits)
EDU 240 - Education Capstone Field Experience (3 Credits)
ENG 104 - Children’s Literature (3 Credits)
MUS 205 - Music Skills for the Classroom Teacher (3 Credits)
PED 215 - Early Childhood Physical Activities (3 Credits)
PSY 203 - Educational Psychology (3 Credits)

Free Electives (2-3 Credits)

Electives should be selected in consultation with an advisor. Some recommended courses are listed below:

EDU 116 - Infant and Toddler Development (3 Credits)
EDU 269 - Internship I (1-3 Credits) * (EDU 269 is strongly preferred for all qualified students)
ENG 214 - Applied English Grammar (3 Credits)
HEA 105 - First Aid (3 Credits)
PED 198 - Fundamental Fitness and Motor Skills (1 Credit)
STU 106 - Professionalism in the Workplace (1 Credit)

Degree Requirement (60 Credits)

Note:

Students who have been convicted of child abuse, sexual abuse of a minor, or crimes of violence are precluded from employment in the field of teaching. Please discuss concerns with your advisor.

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