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Early Childhood Education

[A55220] [D55220] Associate in Applied Science Degree & Diploma (Day)
[A55220] [D55220] Associate in Applied Science Degree & Diploma (Evening)
[C55220] Certificate (Day & Evening)
[C55290] Infant/Toddler Certificate (Day, Evening & Online)

The Early Childhood Education curriculum prepares individuals to work with children from birth through age 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 parents 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.

English Placement Testing will be required for all EDU courses, except EDU 119.

EARLY CHILDHOOD CREDENTIALS TRACK FOR STATE CERTIFICATES

Under the credentials track, there are two options, depending upon the need of the student:

  1. In order to meet the minimum North Carolina credential requirements to teach in a childcare  center, students must take EDU 119 (Early Childhood Education).
  2. Early Childhood Administration Credential I & II - Two courses are required, specifically EDU 261 (Early Childhood Administration Credential I) and EDU 262 (Early Childhood Administration Credential II). Completion of these courses will meet the minimum credential requirement to be a director of a childcare center. Note: EDU 119 is required as either a prerequisite or a corequisite.

CERTIFICATE, DIPLOMA AND DEGREE TRACKS

Early Childhood certificates may be obtained in two areas - Early Childhood Education Certificate (16 semester hours of academic credit) and Infant/Toddler Care Certificate (16 semester hours of academic credit).

The Early Childhood Education diploma may be obtained by taking 13 courses, earning a total of 40 semester hours of academic credit.

The Early Childhood Education degree may be earned in two years as a full-time day student or in three years as a part-time evening student. Degree students earn 65 or 66 hours of academic credit.

SCHOOL-AGE PROGRAM TRACK

Two courses are required for teachers and administrators of school-age programs: EDU 145 (Child Development II), offered each spring semester and EDU 235 (School-Age Development & Program), offered each fall semester. These courses teach the basic principles of typical and atypical development in school-age children, and equip the student to design and implement a developmentally appropriate curriculum for school-age children.

For students in the school-age program track of study, EDU 144 is not a prerequisite for EDU 145. Completion of these two courses will meet the state’s educational requirements for school-age program providers.

COMPETENCIES

Upon successful completion of the Early Childhood Education program, the graduate should be able to
  1. Plan developmentally appropriate activities for children 0-8.
  2. Demonstrate appropriate guidance techniques for children.
  3. Demonstrate leadership skills in teaching.

Click here for a list of Humanities/Fine Arts and Social/Behavioral Sciences courses approved for this program.