Early Childhood Care and Education (AAS.ECE)

The Early Childhood Care and Education program provides the academic background and practical experience necessary to operate a private, home day care and teach or direct in child care facilities. Additional employment opportunities include nursery schools, Head Start programs, and paraprofessional teacher's aide in primary grades. The program is especially suited to individuals who enjoy working and teaching young children and to those having a caring and patient personality. A "C" average in required Early Childhood Care and Education core classes must be maintained by students prior to enrolling in ECE 125.

Program requirements may change over time. Specific degree/graduation requirements are determined by a degree audit.

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FIRST YEAR
First Semester
Hours
ENG-098
Communications I

ENG-098
Communications I

Students will learn the principles of communications by listening, speaking, and writing. Emphasis is placed on communication skills related to the demands of the student's career area.

Course Outline
OR
ENG-119
Composition I Pathway

ENG-119
Composition I Pathway

Students will study the writing process by reading essays illustrating a variety of rhetorical strategies, analyzing texts, and writing, revising, and editing short essays. Course is for students who have assessed into developmental English, receiving supplemental instruction for course completion.

Course Outline
* OR
ENG-120
Composition I

ENG-120
Composition I

Students will study the writing process by reading essays that illustrate a variety of rhetorical strategies, analyzing writing tasks and texts, and writing, revising, and editing short essays.

Course Outline
*
3.0
ECE-100
Intro to Early Childhood Educ

ECE-100
Intro to Early Childhood Educ

This course focuses on an overview of early childhood care and education that includes basic values, professional disposition, program operation, historical influences, assessment, and structure. Includes 20 hours of practicum.

Course Outline
3.0
ECE-110
Child Behavior Management

ECE-110
Child Behavior Management

This course focuses on the use of positive redirective techniques in shaping behavior so children can learn self discipline and self control. Observation of discipline problems and analyzation of procedures are required of the student.

Course Outline
3.0
BIO-120
Natural Science

BIO-120
Natural Science

Designed to give practical science experience to students of child care, elementary and special education. Application of course content involved many activities that can be utilized in child care and elementary school settings.

Course Outline
OR
BIO-100
Bio Science I

BIO-100
Bio Science I

This course provides an introduction to the fundamental processes and structures common to all living things along with their applications to society.

Course Outline
3.0
--- ---
Elective

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Elective



3.0

Semester Totals

15.0
Second Semester
ECE-081
Early Childhood Clinical

ECE-081
Early Childhood Clinical

This course provides students experience in preparing and implementing developmentally appropriate activities. Students gain understanding of classroom management techniques and areas of focus when planning. The course includes 30 hours of practical experience in an approved child care facility.

Course Outline
1.0
ART-165
Fundamentals of Art

ART-165
Fundamentals of Art

A comprehensive overview of vocabulary and theories involving the elements and principles of design used in creating visual art with a studio experience geared to students pursuing a child care or elementary education degree.

Course Outline
OR
ART-250
Understanding Art

ART-250
Understanding Art

A survey of the visual arts from Ancient to contemporary times, an understanding the major cultural and historical relationships to the art forms.

Course Outline
OR
MUS-229
Understanding Music

MUS-229
Understanding Music

A survey of the musical forms and styles associated with classical music, focusing on representative musical masterworks and their composers. This music is presented in both a historical and a cultural framework.

Course Outline
3.0
EDU-190
Introduction/Special Education

EDU-190
Introduction/Special Education

This course is designed to introduce the student to the study of exceptional children, including a survey of the child's developmental traits and examination of appropriate intervention techniques.

Course Outline
3.0
PSY-271
Intr/Psychology

PSY-271
Intr/Psychology

Focuses on psychology as a science, introducing Concepts, research methods and research in a variety of subfields, including neuroscience, sensation and perception, consciousness, learning and memory, cognition, motivation and emotion, development, personality, disorders and therapy, and social psychology.

Course Outline
3.0
SPE-111
Intro to Speech Communication

SPE-111
Intro to Speech Communication

Focuses on the fundamental principles and methods of selection, analyzing, organizing, developing and communicating information, evidence, and points of view to audiences.

Course Outline
3.0
--- ---
Elective

--- ---
Elective



2.0

Semester Totals

15.0
SECOND YEAR
First Semester
Hours
ECE-095
Creative Activities/Children

ECE-095
Creative Activities/Children

This course provides students an understanding of the value of and practical experience in preparing creative activities and experiences for children. The student is given many opportunities to explore, develop, and appreciate various types of creative media for preschool children.

Course Outline
4.0
ECE-051
Infant/Toddler Environment

ECE-051
Infant/Toddler Environment

This courses emphasizes the characteristics of high quality infant/toddler caregivers, curriculum, indoor/outdoor space and play equipment/toys vital for developmental learning. Course requirements include 20 hours of hands-on practicum in a community setting.

Course Outline
3.0
SOC-280
Introduction to Sociology

SOC-280
Introduction to Sociology

Study of human interaction focusing on social influences shaping personality, structure and dynamics of human society. Topics include: sociological perspective, culture, society, social interaction; social change in global perspective; socialization; families; social class; and social stratification; race and ethnicity; and deviance.

Course Outline
3.0
PSY-274
Child Development

PSY-274
Child Development

Study of theories and research methods used to study development, from conception to adolescence. Topics include physical, sensory and perceptual, cognitive, language, emotional, social, and gender development, as well as family, peer, and institutional influences on development.

Course Outline
3.0
ECE-102
Health/Safety/Nutri/Yng Child

ECE-102
Health/Safety/Nutri/Yng Child

This course focuses on the health, safety, and nutritional needs of children in group settings as well as the personal health of the individual. Emphasis is placed on preventive health through education and the development of healthy habits.

Course Outline
3.0
HED-178
Responding to Emergencies

HED-178
Responding to Emergencies

The purpose of the American Red Cross Responding to Emergency course is to provide the citizen responder with the knowledge and skills necessary in an emergency to help sustain life.

Course Outline
2.0

Semester Totals

18.0
Second Semester
ECE-083
Instructional Methods

ECE-083
Instructional Methods

This course enables students to do total program planning consistent with the developmental needs of children.

Course Outline
3.0
ECE-087
Organization/Mgt of Preschools

ECE-087
Organization/Mgt of Preschools

This course focuses on state rules and regulations for operating a licensed child care facility. Room layout of an efficient facility, arrangement of outside playground areas, and the selection of furniture and equipment will also be discussed.

Course Outline
3.0
PED-172
Bsc Act Elem/Sec Child

PED-172
Bsc Act Elem/Sec Child

Focuses on games and activities for elementary and secondary level including body mechanics, basic exercises and rhythms. Includes team games for secondary level.

Course Outline
2.0
ECE-120
Field Experience Seminar (Module 2)

ECE-120
Field Experience Seminar (Module 2)

This course prepares the student for the Field Experience practicum (ECE125) and includes preparation of credentials for seeking employment.

Course Outline
*
1.0
EDU-103
Teaching/Learning W/Technology

EDU-103
Teaching/Learning W/Technology

This course features practical ways to use various types of technology for the K-12 classroom teacher. This is a basic course in microcomputers, their operation, and utilization in K-12 classrooms. (Repeatable 3 Times)

Course Outline
3.0
ECE-125
Field Experience

ECE-125
Field Experience

Supervised practicum designed for Early Childhood and Child & Family Services and Paraprofessional Education majors to provide on-the-job experience. Practicum will include application of: program and classroom management skills, managing daily routines, curriculum development, agency policies and regulations, and enhancement of family involvement.

Course Outline
*
4.0

Semester Totals

16.0

Total Program Hours

64.0