Program Description: The Early Childhood Care and Education associate of applied science degree program is a sequence of courses designed to prepare students for a variety of careers in the field of early childhood education.  The program emphasizes a combination of early childhood care and education theory and practical application as well as general core competencies necessary for successful employment.  Graduates have qualifications to be employed in early care and education settings including child care centers, Head Start, Georgia Pre-K programs, and elementary school paraprofessional positions.  Graduates of this program will receive one of three areas of specialization:  Exceptionalities, program administration, or paraprofessional/school age.


Admission Requirements:

Minimum Required Age:
 		16
High School Diploma or GED Required: Yes

Minimum Test Scores: [COMPASS]


Reading:
 79
English:
62
Mathematics:
 NA
Algebra
37

Prospective Students Must:

  • Meet minimum program admission requirements on the Asset or Compass placement test or take required developmental courses

  • Pass a criminal background check with their employer/volunteer site

  • To be employed as a child care provider or teacher, candidate must be at least 18 years of age

  • To be employed as a Center Director or Family Home Child Care Provider, the candidate must be at least 21 years of age

The associate degree, diploma and most TCC's require the student to work in the classrooms with children.  A criminal background check that indicates an individual has certain felony convictions and/or misdemeanors may prohibit completers from being employed or volunteering in licensed child care facilities or in schools.  Students must follow their placement site's requirements for background checks.


General Core Courses:

Course Number

  Course Name

 Hours

AREA I:

ENGL1101 Composition and Rhetoric

3

 

Select 1:
ENGL1102   Literature and Composition
SPCH1101   Public Speaking

 3

AREA II:

PSYC1101  Introductory Psychology

3




AREA III:

Select I:
MATH1100 Quantitative Skills & Reasoning
MATH1101  Mathematical Modeling
MATH1111  College A lgebra

3

AREA IV:

Select I:
ARTS1101   Art Appreciation
ENGL2130  American Literature

HUMN1101 Humanities
MUSC1101 Music Appreciation

3


  G eneral         Education Elective:


Core Elective - Select one course 1101 or higher from any of the above areas


3

 


Total Core Hours:


18

Select One Specialization

Occupational Courses:

Course Number
Course Name
 Hours
ECCE1101
 		Introduction to Early Childhood Care and Education
3
ECCE1103
 		Child Growth and Development
3
ECCE1105
 		Health, Safety, and Nutrition
3
ECCE2115
 		Language and Literacy
3
ECCE1112
 		Curriculum and Assessment
3
ECCE1113
 		Creative Activities for Children
3
COMP1000
 		Introduction to Computers
 		3
ECCE2201
 		Exceptionalities
 		3
ECCE2202
 		Social Issues and Family Involvement
3
ECCE2203
 		Guidance and Classroom Management
3
ECCE1121
 		Early Childhood Care and Education Practicum
3
ECCE2116
 		Math and Science
3
ECCE2240
 		Early Childhood Care and Education Internship
12

Total Occupational Hours:
 48


Paraprofessional Specialization:

Course Number
Course Name
Hours
ECCE2310
 Paraprofessional Methods and Materials
3
ECCE2312
 Paraprofessional Roles and Practices
3


Program Administration:

Course Number
 Course Name
 Hours
ECCE2320
 Program Administration and Facility Management
3
ECCE2322
 Personnel Management
3


Exceptionalities:

Course Number
 Course Name
 Hours

ECCE2360		 Classroom Strategies for Exceptional Children 3

ECCE2362
Your Role in the Exceptional Environment		 3

  Total Program Hours                                                                                                            72