2024-2025 Catalog

Early Childhood Educator, A.A.S.

A.A.S. Degree—61 credit hours

Curriculum Code 1264

This program prepares students for careers in early childhood development. It provides mid-management skills needed to work in kindergartens, nursery schools, daycare centers, and special programs for children from infancy through age 8.

Required General Education Courses

25 credit hours as follows:

COM-101Composition I

3

COM-102Composition II

3

COM-103Speech Fundamentals

3

-
 

MTH-102Mathematics for Paraprofessionals

3

OR-

MTH-121Math for Teachers I

3

-
 

PSY-101Introduction to Psychology

3

PSY-104Life-Span Developmental Psychology

3

COM-101: This course is a prerequisite for ECE-101. It is assumed that if the student has taken COM-101 previously the student will take ECE-101 during semester one.

Select 4 credit hours from Physical and Life Sciences with Lab:

BIO, CHM, EAS, GEL, NAT, PHS, PHY

Select 3 credit hours from Social/Behavioral Sciences:

ANT, ECO, GEO, HIS, PSC, PSY, SOC, SSC

Required Career Courses

30 credit hours as follows:

ECE-101Introduction to Early Childhood

3

ECE-105Health, Safety and Nutrition

3

ECE-109Child, Family and Community

3

ECE-201Math, Science and Social Studies

3

ECE-202Growth and Development/Young Child

3

ECE-205Curriculum-Early Childhood Programs

3

EDU-103Observation/Clinical Experience

3

EDU-104Intro. to the Foundations of Reading

3

EDU-110Technology for Educators

3

EDU-111Intro to the Exceptional Child

3

Required Practicum and Seminar

Select one group (3 credit hours):

ECE-233ECE Practicum

2

ECE-237ECE Practicum Seminar

1

OR-

ECE-243Infant/Toddler Practicum

2

ECE-247Infant/Toddler Practicum Seminar

1

Required Elective

Select 3 credit hours:

ECE-107Infant and Toddler Development

3

OR-

EDU-105Classroom Management

3

(Note: Students pursuing Level 4 Credential for Infant/Toddler or ECE must choose ECE-107 as their elective, successfully pass both ECE-233 ECE Practicum and ECE-237 ECE Seminar or both ECE-243 Infant/Toddler Practicum and ECE-247 Infant/Toddler Seminar, and earn the AAS degree to be eligible to apply for IL Infant/Toddler or ECE Credential – Level 4 through Gateways.)

(Note: Directors Level 1 Credential: Students must choose EDU-105 as their elective, earn the AAS degree, and then register for and successfully pass ECE-253 ECE Director Practicum and ECE-257 ECE Director Practicum Seminar to be eligible to apply for IL Director Level 1 Credential through Gateways.)

IL Gateway Application: ilgateways.com/en/credentials

Optional Electives

There is no requirement for students in the program to take additional elective credit hours

ECE-203Administration of EC Programs

3

ECE-211Special Topics in Education

1-3

ECE-253ECE Director Practicum

3

ECE-257ECE Director Practicum Seminar

1

EDU-108Foundations of Bilingual Education

3

EDU-205Literature for Children/Young Adults

3

(Note: No additional electives are required.)
(Note: Directors Level 1 Credential: Students must choose EDU-105 as their elective, earn the AAS degree, and then register for and successfully pass ECE-253 ECE Director Practicum and ECE-257 ECE Director Practicum Seminar to be eligible to apply for IL Director Level 1 Credential through Gateways.)

Suggested Schedule

Semester 1 (15 credit hours)

COM-101Composition I

3

ECE-101Introduction to Early Childhood

3

ECE-105Health, Safety and Nutrition

3

PSY-101Introduction to Psychology

3

___-___
Social and Behavioral Sciences Elective

3

Semester 2 (18 credit hours)

COM-102Composition II

3

ECE-109Child, Family and Community

3

ECE-202Growth and Development/Young Child

3

ECE-205Curriculum-Early Childhood Programs

3

-
 

ECE-107Infant and Toddler Development

3

OR-

EDU-105Classroom Management

3

-
 

PSY-104Life-Span Developmental Psychology

3

Semester 3 (13 credit hours)

COM-103Speech Fundamentals

3

EDU-103Observation/Clinical Experience

3

EDU-111Intro to the Exceptional Child

3

___-___
Physical and Life Sciences Elective

4

Semester 4 (15 credit hours)

ECE-201Math, Science and Social Studies

3

EDU-104Intro. to the Foundations of Reading

3

EDU-110Technology for Educators

3

-
 

MTH-102Mathematics for Paraprofessionals

3

OR-

MTH-121Math for Teachers I

3

-
 

ECE-233ECE Practicum

2

OR-

ECE-243Infant/Toddler Practicum

2

-
 

ECE-237ECE Practicum Seminar

1

OR-

ECE-247Infant/Toddler Practicum Seminar

1