The Early Care and Education program is designed for students who wish to pursue a career in Early Childhood Education. The Associate Degree is organized with standards from the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).
Students pursuing the Associate Degree in Applied Science in Early Care and Education are encouraged to transfer to a four-year institution to obtain a Baccalaureate Degree if they plan to teach in a K-12 environment. Early Care and Education students may also pursue careers as a paraprofessional in management, operations or instruction in a commercial daycare setting.
This program offers students a basic understanding of the needs of young children and the training to implement quality preschool programming. Students also learn growth and development principles, teaching methods, safety and first aid, discipline techniques, developmentally-appropriate curriculum methods, exceptionality and early intervention techniques for promoting effective family/program partnerships, and principles of ethics and leadership in early care and education.
This Associate Degree does not lead to teacher certification unless the student completes the Baccalaureate Degree.
Special Admissions Requirements
• Meet the specific program requirements outlined for admissions
• Complete a physical exam, including T.B. screening and hepatitis vaccines.
• Satisfactory police or government record check to indicate no prior child abuse or neglect record.
