Early Learning and Teacher Education
Designed for students interested in the challenging field of working with children in a variety of areas such as teachers, or as classroom assistants in early childhood, elementary, and secondary education, and other opportunities. Emphasis is placed on active student involvement. Coursework includes observation, participation, and practical experience. A program option is offered in special education. Degree and certificate programs are available for students entering college for the first time or seeking a second career.
On this page:
- Early Childhood Education - Associate in Arts Degree
- Early Childhood Education - Certificate of Achievement
- Early Childhood Special Education - Associate in Arts Degree
- Early Childhood Special Education - Certificate of Achievement
- Infant & Toddler Care - Certificate of Completion
Associate in Arts Degree Early Childhood Education
Learning Outcomes
Degree recipients should possess the skills and abilities described below:
- Create and maintain a safe and healthy environment for young children
- Develop relationships with children based on enhancing children’s self-esteem, social-emotional development, and problem-solving skills
- Develop and implement developmentally appropriate curriculum and learning environment (as defined by the National Association for the Education of Young Children) to meet individual children’s needs and plan for group needs
- Create an anti-bias, multicultural, and culturally relevant pedagogy and practice, including the provision of integrated, authentic and meaningful cultural experiences for young children
- Establish a partnership with families, providing information, resources and referrals Support children and families through resource referral, assistance with parental skill-building, and providing home-school connection experiences
- Utilize proactive, respectful and professional communication skills with children, co-workers, families and community members
- Develop personally and professionally, maintaining current knowledge in the field, participating in on-going professional development
- Write clearly and effectively for varied audiences and purposes. Listen and speak effectively in a variety of contexts (e.g. dialogue, group discussions, presentations).
- Communicate effectively through visual materials
- Use computer as a means of communication as well as an information-organizing and information-finding tool
- Use, analyze and draw inferences from numerical and symbolic modes of communication
- Employ a variety of contemporary research strategies, evaluate reliability and validity of sources, and credit ideas or sources according to disciplinary conventions in research in the field of Early Childhood Education
Completion Worksheet
Download the completion worksheet for this degree (PDF)
Requirements
| Course No. | Course Name | Credit Hrs. |
|---|---|---|
| ECED 171 | Introduction to Early Childhood Education | 5 |
| ECED 172 | Learning Environments & Social Relationships | 5 |
| ECED 180 | Connecting with Infants & Toddlers | 4 |
| ECED 181 | Children’s Creative Activities | 5 |
| ECED 191 | Early Childhood Education Practicum I | 5 |
| ECED 192 | Early Childhood Education Practicum II | 5 |
| ECED 193 | Early Childhood Education Practicum III | 3 |
| ECED 201 | Family & Community Involvement | 3 |
| ECED 204 | Child Health & Safety | 3 |
EDUC& 114 |
Child Development | 3 |
| EDUC 150 | Language & Literacy Development | 3 |
| EDUC& 204 |
Exceptional Child | 5 |
| EDUC 240 | Culture & Human Diversity in Education | 3 |
| ENGL& 101 |
English Composition I | 5 |
| NUTR 130 | Nutrition & the Human Body | 5 |
| PSYC& 100 |
General Psychology | 5 |
| SOC& 101 |
Introduction to Sociology | 5 |
| Choose 5 credits from the following: | 5 | |
| BTS 105 | Beginning Keyboarding - Alphabet Keys (1 Cr) | |
| BTS 106 | Beginning Keyboarding - Figure & Symbol Keys (1 Cr) | |
| BTS 107 | Beginning Keyboarding - Keypad & Skillbuilding (1 Cr) | |
| BTS 141 | Presentation Applications: Beginning (1 Cr) | |
| BTS 142 | Presentation Applications: Intermediate (1 Cr) | |
| BTS 143 | Presentation Applications: Advanced (1 Cr) | |
| BTS 145 | Introduction to Web Technology (1 Cr) | |
| BTS 146 | 10-Key (1 Cr) | |
| BTS 151 | Spreadsheet Applications - Formulas & Functions (1 Cr) | |
| BTS 152 | Spreadsheet Applications - Charts and Formatting (1 Cr) | |
| BTS 153 | Spreadsheet Applications - Data Lists and Pivot Tables (1 Cr) | |
| BTS 154 | Spreadsheet Applications - Links VLookUps & Templates (1 Cr) | |
| BTS 155 | Spreadsheet Applications - Advanced Logic Functions (1 Cr) | |
| BTS 161 | Computer & Software Fundamentals (5 Cr) | |
| BTS 163 | Word Processing Applications (5 Cr) | |
| BTS 165 | Business Spreadsheet Analysis & Design (5 Cr) | |
| BTS 181 | Word Processing - Editing and Formatting (1 Cr) | |
| BTS 182 | Word Processing - Tables, Columns, & Graphics (1 Cr) | |
| BTS 183 | Word Processing - Sharing Documents (1 Cr) | |
| BTS 184 | Word Processing - Managing Long Documents (1 Cr) | |
| BTS 185 | Word Processing - Forms and Macros (1 Cr) | |
| Choose 5 credits from the following: | 5 | |
| CMST& 101 |
Introduction to Communication (5 Cr) | |
| CMST& 210 |
Interpersonal Communication (5 Cr) | |
| CMST& 230 |
Small Group Communication (5 Cr) | |
| Choose 5 credits from the following: | 5 | |
| MATH& 107 |
Math in Society (5 Cr) | |
| MATH 171 |
Math for Elementary Teachers I (5 Cr) | |
| Electives | 3 | |
| Total | 90 | |
Certificate of Achievement Early Childhood Education
Learning Outcomes
Certificate recipients should possess the skills and abilities described below:
- Create and maintain a safe and healthy environment for young children
- Develop relationships with children based on enhancing children’s self-esteem, social-emotional development, and problem-solving skills
- Develop and implement developmentally appropriate curriculum and learning environment (as defined by the National Association for the Education of Young Children) to meet individual children’s needs and plan for group needs
- Create an anti-bias, multicultural, and culturally relevant pedagogy and practice, including the provision of integrated, authentic and meaningful cultural experiences for young children
- Establish a partnership with families, providing information, resources and referrals. Support children and families through resource referral, assistance with parental skill-building, and providing home-school connection experiences
- Utilize proactive, respectful and professional communication skills with children, co-workers, families and community members
- Develop personally and professionally, maintaining current knowledge in the field, participating in on-going professional development
Completion Worksheet
Download the completion worksheet for this certificate (PDF)
Requirements
| Course No. | Course Name | Credit Hrs. |
|---|---|---|
| ECED 171 | Introduction to Early Childhood Education | 5 |
| ECED 172 | Learning Environments & Social Relationships | 5 |
| ECED 180 | Connecting with Infants & Toddlers | 4 |
| ECED 181 | Children’s Creative Activities | 5 |
| ECED 191 | Early Childhood Education Practicum I | 5 |
| ECED 192 | Early Childhood Education Practicum II | 5 |
| ECED 201 | Family & Community Involvement | 3 |
| ECED 204 | Child Health & Safety | 3 |
| EDUC& 114 |
Child Development | 3 |
| EDUC 150 | Language & Literacy Development | 3 |
| EDUC& 204 |
Exceptional Child | 5 |
| EDUC 240 | Culture & Human Diversity in Education | 3 |
| Total | 49 |
Associate in Arts Degree Early Childhood Special Education
Learning Outcomes
Degree recipients should possess the skills and abilities described below:
- Create and maintain a safe and healthy environment for young children
- Develop relationships with children based on enhancing children’s self-esteem, social-emotional development, and problem-solving skills
- Develop and implement developmentally appropriate curriculum and learning environment (as defined by the National Association for the Education of Young Children) to meet individual children’s needs and plan for group needs
- Develop a least restrictive environment for children with special needs, adapting expectations, activities and materials to meet each child’s individual needs, based on assessment and individual education planning
- Create an anti-bias, multicultural, and culturally relevant pedagogy and practice, including the provision of integrated, authentic and meaningful cultural experiences for young children
- Establish a partnership with families, providing information, resources and referrals. Support children and families through resource referral, assistance with parental skill-building, and providing home-school connection experiences
- Utilize proactive, respectful and professional communication skills with children, co-workers, families and community members
- Develop personally and professionally, maintaining current knowledge in the field, participating in on-going professional development
- Write clearly and effectively for varied audiences and purposes. Listen and speak effectively in a variety of contexts (e.g. dialogue, group discussions, presentations).
- Communicate effectively through visual materials
- Use computer as a means of communication as well as an information-organizing and information-finding tool
- Use, analyze and draw inferences from numerical and symbolic modes of communication
- Employ a variety of contemporary research strategies, evaluate reliability and validity of sources, and credit ideas or sources according to disciplinary conventions in research in the field of Early Childhood Education
Completion Worksheet
Download the completion worksheet for this degree (PDF)
Requirements
| Course No. | Course Name | Credit Hrs. |
|---|---|---|
| ASL& 121 |
American Sign Language I | 5 |
| ECED 132 | Techniques for Teaching Child with Special Needs | 5 |
| ECED 135 | Practicum for Special Education | 5 |
| ECED 136 | Practicum for Special Education | 5 |
| ECED 171 | Introduction to Early Childhood Education | 5 |
| ECED 201 | Family & Community Involvement | 3 |
| ECED 204 | Child Health & Safety | 3 |
| EDUC& 114 |
Child Development | 3 |
| EDUC 150 | Language and Literacy Development | 3 |
| EDUC 190 | Working as a Paraeducator | 5 |
| EDUC& 204 |
Exceptional Child | 5 |
| EDUC& 205 |
Introduction to Education with Field Experience | 5 |
| EDUC 240 | Culture & Human Diversity in Education | 3 |
| ENGL& 101 |
English Composition I | 5 |
| NUTR 130 | Nutrition & the Human Body | 5 |
| PSYC& 100 |
General Psychology | 5 |
| SOC& 101 |
Introduction to Sociology | 5 |
| Choose 5 credits from the following: | 5 | |
| BTS 105 | Beginning Keyboarding - Alphabet Keys (1 Cr) | |
| BTS 106 | Beginning Keyboarding - Figure & Symbol Keys (1 Cr) | |
| BTS 107 | Beginning Keyboarding - Keypad & Skillbuilding (1 Cr) | |
| BTS 141 | Presentation Applications: Beginning (1 Cr) | |
| BTS 142 | Presentation Applications: Intermediate (1 Cr) | |
| BTS 143 | Presentation Applications: Advanced (1 Cr) | |
| BTS 145 | Introduction to Web Technology (1 Cr) | |
| BTS 146 | 10-Key (1 Cr) | |
| BTS 151 | Spreadsheet Applications - Formulas & Functions (1 Cr) | |
| BTS 152 | Spreadsheet Applications - Charts and Formatting (1 Cr) | |
| BTS 153 | Spreadsheet Applications - Data Lists and Pivot Tables (1 Cr) | |
| BTS 154 | Spreadsheet Applications - Links VLookUps & Templates (1 Cr) | |
| BTS 155 | Spreadsheet Applications - Advanced Logic Functions (1 Cr) | |
| BTS 161 | Computer & Software Fundamentals (5 Cr) | |
| BTS 163 | Word Processing Applications (5 Cr) | |
| BTS 165 | Business Spreadsheet Analysis & Design (5 Cr) | |
| BTS 181 | Word Processing - Editing and Formatting (1 Cr) | |
| BTS 182 | Word Processing - Tables, Columns, and Graphics (1 Cr) | |
| BTS 183 | Word Processing - Sharing Documents (1 Cr) | |
| BTS 184 | Word Processing - Managing Long Documents (1 Cr) | |
| BTS 185 | Word Processing - Forms and Macros (1 Cr) | |
| Choose 5 credits from the following: | 5 | |
| CMST& 101 |
Introduction to Communication (5 Cr) | |
| CMST& 210 |
Interpersonal Communication (5 Cr) | |
| CMST& 230 |
Small Group Communication (5 Cr) | |
| Choose 5 credits from the following: | 5 | |
| MATH& 107 |
Math in Society (5 Cr) | |
| MATH 171 |
Math for Elementary Teachers I (5 Cr) | |
| Total | 90 | |
Certificate of Achievement Early Childhood Special Education
Brief Description
---
Learning Outcomes
Certificate recipients should possess the skills and abilities described below:
- Create and maintain a safe and healthy environment for young children
- Develop relationships with children based on enhancing children’s self-esteem, social-emotional development, and problem-solving skills
- Develop and implement developmentally appropriate curriculum and learning environment (as defined by the National Association for the Education of Young Children), to meet individual children’s needs and plan for group needs
- Develop a least restrictive environment for children with special needs, adapting expectations, activities and materials to meet each child’s individual needs, based on assessment and individual education planning
- Create an anti-bias, multicultural, and culturally relevant pedagogy and practice, including the provision of integrated, authentic and meaningful cultural experiences for young children
- Establish a partnership with families, providing information, resources and referrals. Support children and families through resource referral, assistance with parental skill-building, and providing home-school connection experiences
- Utilize proactive, respectful and professional communication skills with children, co-workers, families and community members
- Develop personally and professionally, maintaining current knowledge in the field, participating in on-going professional development
Completion Worksheet
Download the completion worksheet for this certificate (PDF)
Requirements
| Course No. | Course Name | Credit Hrs. |
|---|---|---|
| ASL& 121 |
American Sign Language I | 5 |
| ECED 132 | Techniques for Teaching the Child with Special-Needs | 5 |
| ECED 135 | Practicum for Special Education | 5 |
| ECED 136 | Practicum for Special Education | 5 |
| ECED 171 | Introduction to Early Childhood Education | 5 |
| ECED 201 | Family & Community Involvement | 3 |
| ECED 204 | Child Health & Safety | 3 |
| EDUC& 114 |
Child Development | 3 |
| EDUC 150 | Language & Literacy Development | 3 |
| EDUC 190 | Working as a Paraeducator | 5 |
| EDUC& 204 |
Exceptional Child | 5 |
| EDUC 240 | Culture & Human Divesity in Education | 3 |
| Total | 50 |
Certificate of Completion Infant & Toddler Care
Brief Description
---
Learning Outcomes
Certificate recipients should possess the skills and abilities described below:
- Create and maintain a safe and healthy environment for infants and toddlers
- Provide individualized care routines for infants and toddlers
- Develop and practice strategies that promote healthy attachment for the child
- Develop relationships with children based on enhancing children’s self-esteem, social-emotional development, and problem-solving skills
- Develop and implement developmentally appropriate curriculum and learning environment (as defined by the National Association for the Education of Young Children) to meet individual children’s needs and plan for group needs
- Create an anti-bias, multicultural, and culturally relevant pedagogy and practice, including the provision of integrated, authentic and meaningful cultural experiences for young children
- Establish a partnership with families, providing information, resources and referrals. Support children and families through resource referral, assistance with parental skill-building, and providing home-school connection experiences
- Utilize proactive, respectful and professional communication skills with children, co-workers, families and community member
- Develop personally and professionally, maintaining current knowledge in the field, participating in on-going professional development
Completion Worksheet
Download the completion worksheet for this certificate (PDF)
Requirements
| Course No. | Course Name | Credit Hrs. |
|---|---|---|
| ECED 171 | Introduction to Early Childhood Education | 5 |
| ECED 180 | Connecting with Infants & Toddlers | 4 |
| ECED 201 | Family & Community Involvement | 3 |
| ECED 204 | Child Health & Safety | 3 |
| EDUC& 114 |
Child Development | 3 |
| EDUC 240 | Culture & Human Diversity in Education | 3 |
| Total | 21 |
Courses marked with a symbol changed course number and/or title begining summer 2008 to reflect a new common course numbering system. Courses with previous number/title are still applicable. Learn more about Common Course Numbering.
Professional or technical program offerings and course requirements listed in this website may be altered by the college to reflect the needs of industry, student interests and availability of resources.