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

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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
Gen Ed	Math Gen Ed; 3 - 4 credits	3	Gen Ed	ENG 102 - Composition and Literature	3
Gen Ed	Diversity Gen Ed	3	Gen ED	Arts & Humanities Gen Ed	3
EDU 103	Foundations of Early Childhood Education	3	EDU 116	Infant and Toddler Development	3
Gen Ed	PSY 101 - Introduction to Psychology	3	Gen Ed	Biological/Physical Science Gen Ed; 3 - 4 credits	3
Gen Ed	ENG 101 - English Composition	3	EDU 114	The Developing Child	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	EDU 269	Internship I	1-3
EDU 115	Methods and Materials in Early Childhood Education	3	Elective	Choose in consultation with an advisor	3
EDU 212	Processes and Acquisition of Reading	3	EDU 215	Child Care Center Administration and Management	3
PED 215	Early Childhood Physical Activities	3	ENG 104	Children’s Literature	3
MUS 205	Music Skills for the Classroom Teacher	3	EDU 211	Introduction to Special Education	3
TOTAL		15	TOTAL		15

General Education Requirements (21-23 Credits)

Diversity

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

English

ENG 101 - English Composition (3 Credits)
ENG 102 - Composition and Literature (3 Credits)

Mathematics

Select from approved General Education course list (3-4 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 116 - Infant and Toddler Development (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 269 - Internship I (1 - 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 (3 -5 Credits)

Electives should be selected in consultation with an advisor to satisfy career goals or a transfer college curriculum. Some suggested courses are listed below.

EDU 117 - School Age Child Care Seminar I (3 Credits)
HEA 105 - First Aid (3 Credits)
PED 198 - Fundamental Fitness and Motor Skills (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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