Early Childhood Care and Education (Associate) (131210)  Degree


Campus Locations: Moultrie VPC, Thomasville, Tifton, Cairo

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.

Length of Program: Six (6) Semesters

Student Learning Outcomes:
• Students will create a Developmentally Appropriate Thematic Unit.
• Students will create an Exceptionalities Resource File.
• Students will create a Behavior and Management Resource File.
• Students will teach using Developmentally Appropriate Practices (DAP).

Entrance Date: Beginning of each Semester

Entrance Requirements: Refer to Admissions criteria. Click for Entrance Score Requirements.

Age: N/A

Education: A high scjool diploma or equivalent (GED) is not required for application or admission, but is required for graduation.

Advisor: A Program Advisor should be consulted prior to enrolling in any course. An advisor will be assigned by admissions.

Note: Students with a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential, current CPR certification, current First Aid certification, and a letter from their employer stating that they are currently employed in the childcare industry will be exempted from ECCE 1101, ECCE 1103, and ECCE 1105.

Criminal Background Check: In accordance with HB 401, effective May 1, 2015, all ECCE students will be required to complete a Criminal History Records Check and receive a satisfactory determination from the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning in order to be placed in a child care learning center, group day-care home, or family day-care home. An unsatisfactory determination can affect completion of the ECCE program as the student would not be able to be placed for Practicum and/or Internship.

Program Final Exit Point: Early Childhood Care and Education, Associate of Applied Science.

Credits Required for Graduation: 75 minimum semester hour credits required for graduation.

Cost
Books: $777.10
Fees: $309.00
Tuition: $1,335.00
Total: $2,421.10
Books: $811.20
Fees: $421.00
Tuition: $1,335.00
Total: $2,567.20
Books: $460.00
Fees: $284.00
Tuition: $1,068.00
Total: $1,812.00
Books: $741.27
Fees: $284.00
Tuition: $1,335.00
Total: $2,360.27
Books: $46.70
Fees: $334.00
Tuition: $1,335.00
Total: $1,715.70
Curriculum Outline (87 hours)
1: General Core Courses (18 hours) 18
Area i: Language Arts/Communications (3 hours) 3
ENGL 1101

3.00 Credits Pre-requisite(s): ENGL 0090, READ 0090 and/or Entrance exam reading and writing scores in accordance with approved TCSG admission score levels. Explores the analysis of literature and articles about issues in the humanities and in society. Students practice various modes of writing, ranging from exposition to argumentation and persuasion. The course includes a review of standard grammatical and stylistic usage in proofreading and editing. An introduction to library resources lays the foundation for research. Topics include writing analysis and practice, revision, and research. Students write a research paper using library resources and using a formatting and documentation style appropriate to the purpose and audience.

3
Area II: Social/Behavioral Sciences (3 hours) 3
PSYC 1101

3.00 Credits Pre-requisite(s): Entrance exam reading and writing scores in accordance with approved TCSG admission score levels Introduces the major fields of contemporary psychology. Emphasis is on fundamental principles of psychology as a science. Topics include research design, the organization and operation of the nervous system, sensation and perception, learning and memory, motivation and emotion, thinking and intelligence, lifespan development, personality, psychopathology and interventions, stress and health, and social psychology.

3
Area III: Natural Sciences/Mathematics (3 hours) 3
MATH 1111

3.00 Credits Pre-requisite(s): Appropriate Placement Test Score Emphasizes techniques of problem solving using algebraic concepts. Topics include fundamental concepts of algebra, equations and inequalities, functions and graphs, and systems of equations; optional topics include sequences, series, and probability or analytic geometry.

3
Area IV: Humanities/Fine Arts (3 hours) 3
And two additional courses from Area I, II, III, or IV (6 hours)(as approved by program advisor) 6
2: Institutional Credit (3 hours) 3
COLL 1500

3.00 Credit Hours This course is designed to provide tools to assist students to acquire skills necessary to achieve academic and professional success in their chosen occupational/ technical program of study. Topics include: Getting off to a Good Start, Learning and Personality Styles, Time and Money Management, Study and Test Taking Skills, Stress Management and Wellness, Communications Skills, Career Exploration, Research Skills, College Campus Knowledge, Memory & Reading Skills, Presentation & Interview Skills, and Group Skills. Effective Fall 2016, students who already have an Associate Degree or higher will be given exemption credit for the COLL 1500 course.

3
3: Occupational Courses (54 hours) 48
COMP 1000

3.00 Credits Introduces the fundamental concepts, terminology, and operations necessary to use computers. Emphasis is placed on basic functions and familiarity with computer use. Topics include an introduction to computer and digital terminology, and usage, operating systems, Internet and digital communication, word processing applications, spreadsheet applications, database applications, and presentation applications.

3
ECCE 1101

3.00 Credits Pre-requisite(s): Provisional Admission NOTE: Students enrolled in this course are required to complete the entry level occupational work ethics course during the same term. Introduces concepts relating the responsibilities and procedures involved in a variety of early childhood care situations. Topics include historical perspectives; professionalism; guidance; developmentally appropriate practices; learning environment (including all children); cultural diversity; licensing; accreditation; and credentialing.

3
ECCE 1103

3.00 Credits Pre-requisite(s): Provisional Admission Introduces the student to the physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development of the young child (prenatal through 12 years of age). The course provides for competency development in observing, recording, and interpreting growth and development stages in the young child; advancing physical and intellectual competence; supporting social and emotional development; and examining relationships between child development and positive guidance. Topics include developmental characteristics, prenatal through age 12, developmental guidance applications, observing and recording techniques, ages and stages of development, and introduction to children with special needs.

3
ECCE 1105

3.00 Credits Pre-requisite(s): Provisional Admission Introduces the theory, practices, and requirements for establishing and maintaining a safe, healthy learning environment. Topics include CPR and first aid, health issues, safety issues, child abuse and neglect, and nutritional needs of children.

3
ECCE 1112

3.00 Credits Pre/Co-requisite(s): ECCE 1103 NOTE: Students enrolled in this course are required to complete the capstone level occupational work ethics course during the same term. Provides student with an understanding of developmentally effective approaches to teaching, learning, observing, documenting and assessment strategies that promote positive development for young children. The course will enable the student to establish a learning environment appropriate for young children and to identify the goals, benefits, and uses of assessment in the development of curriculum for young children. Topics include observing, documenting, and assessing; learning environments; development of curriculum plans and materials; curriculum approaches; and instructional media.

3
ECCE 1113

3.00 Credits Pre-requisite(s): Provisional Admission Introduces the concepts related to creativity in art, music, movement and creative drama, and facilitating childrenÆs creative expression across the curriculum. Topics include concepts of creativity and expression; theories of young childrenÆs creative development; facilitation of childrenÆs creative expression, media, methods and materials across the curriculum; appreciation of childrenÆs art processes and products; appreciation of childrenÆs creativity in music, movement and dance; appreciation of childrenÆs creative expression in play and creative drama; and art and music appreciation.

3
ECCE 1121

3.00 Credits Pre/Co-requisite(s): ECCE 1105 Provides the student with the opportunity to gain a supervised experience in a practicum placement site allowing demonstration of techniques obtained from course work. Practicum topics include promoting child development and learning; building family and community relationships; observing, documenting, and assessing to support young children and families; teaching and learning; becoming a professional; and guidance techniques and classroom management.

3
ECCE 2115

3.00 Credits Pre/Co-requisite(s): ECCE 1103 Develops knowledge, skills, and abilities in supporting young children's literacy acquisition and development, birth through age twelve. Topics include developmental continuum of reading and writing, literacy acquisition birth to five years of age, literacy acquisition in kindergarten, literacy acquisition in early grades, and literacy acquisition in children who are culturally and linguistically diverse.

3
ECCE 2116

3.00 Credits Pre/Co-requisite(s): ECCE 1103 Presents the process of introducing math and science concepts to young children. Includes planning and implementation of developmentally appropriate activities and development of math and science materials, media and methods. Topics include inquiry approach to learning; cognitive stages and developmental processes in developing math and science concepts with children birth to five; cognitive stages and developmental processes in developing math and science concepts with children in kindergarten and primary grades; planning math and science activities; and development of math and science materials, media and methods.

3
ECCE 2201

3.00 Credits Pre-requisite(s): ECCE 1103 NOTE: Students enrolled in this course are required to complete the entry level occupational work ethics course during the same term. Provides for the development of knowledge and skills that will enable the student to understand individuals with special needs and appropriately guide their development. Special emphasis is placed on acquainting the student with programs and community resources that serve families with children with special needs. Topics include inclusion/least restrictive environment (LRE), physical and motor impairments, gifted/talented, intellectual and cognitive disabilities, emotional and behavioral disorders, communication disorders in speech and language, autism spectrum disorders, visual impairments, deaf and hard of hearing, health impairments, multiple disabilities, and community resources.

3
ECCE 2202

3.00 Credits Pre-requisite(s): Provisional Admission Enables the student to value the complex characteristics of childrenÆs families and communities and to develop culturally responsive practices which will support family partnerships. Students use their understanding to build reciprocal relationships which promote childrenÆs development and learning. Students are introduced to local programs and agencies that offer services to children and families within the community. Topics include professional responsibilities; family/social issues; community resources; family education and support; teacher/family communication; community partnerships; social diversity and anti-bias concerns; successful transitions; and school-family activities.

3
ECCE 2203

3.00 Credits Pre/Co-requisite(s): ECCE 1103 Examines effective guidance practices in group settings based upon the application of theoretical models of child development and of developmentally appropriate practices. Focus will be given to individual, family, and cultural diversity. Topics will include developmentally appropriate child guidance (birth through 12); effective classroom management including preventive and interventive techniques; understanding challenging behaviors; and implementing guidance plans.

3
ECCE 2240

Provides the student with the opportunity to gain a supervised experience in an actual or simulated work site allowing demonstration of techniques obtained from course work. Practicum topics include promoting child development and learning; building family and community relationships; observing, documenting, and assessing to support young children and families; teaching and learning; becoming a professional; and guidance techniques and classroom management.

12
4: And one of the following specializations (6 hours) 18
Exeptionalities Specialization 6
ECCE 2360

3.00 Credit Hours Pre/Co-Requisite(s): ECCE 2201 Prepares child care providers and paraprofessionals with knowledge and skills in the areas of working effectively with children with a disability; working with families as partners; examining the laws and regulations; exploring resources, service providers, and agencies that may assist the child and his/her family; examining the adaptations and modifications to facilities and environments; reviewing the referral process; implementing inclusion; modifying instruction to accommodate the child with special needs; and investigating ways to document and chart observations.

3
ECCE 2362

3.00 Credit Hours Pre/Co-Requisite(s): ECCE 2201 NOTE: Students enrolled in this course are required to complete the capstone level occupational work ethics course during the same term. Prepares child care providers and paraprofessionals with knowledge and skills for screening and assessing purposes; and explores resources, service providers, and agencies that may assist the child and families in educational or natural settings. Examines adaptations, accommodations, and modifications to environments; reviews the referral process; implements inclusion and modifies instruction to accommodate the child with special needs.

3
Paraprofessional Specialization 6
ECCE 2310

3.00 Credits Pre/Co-requisite(s): ECCE 1103 Develops the instructional skills to enable the student to work as a paraprofessional in a program for kindergarten through elementary age children. Topics include assessment and curriculum, instructional techniques, and methods for instruction in a learning environment.

3
ECCE 2312

3.00 Credits Pre/Co-requisite(s): ECCE 1103 Develops skills to enable the student to work as a paraprofessional in a program for pre-Kindergarten through elementary age children. Topics include professional qualifications; professional and ethical conduct; professionalism and employment; and paraprofessional roles and responsibilities.

3
Program Administration Specialization 6
ECCE 2320

3.00 Credits Pre-requisites: Provisional Admission Provides training in planning, implementation, and maintenance of an effective early childhood program and facility. Topics include organization, mission, philosophy, goals of a program; types of programs; laws, rules, regulations, accreditation, and program evaluation; needs assessment; administrative roles and board of directors; anti-bias program development; child development and developmentally appropriate practices; marketing, public and community relations, grouping, enrollment and retention; working with families; professionalism and work ethics; space management; money management; and program, equipment, and supplies management.

3
ECCE 2322

3.00 Credits Pre-requisites: Provisional Admission Provides training in early childhood personnel management. Topics include staff records; communication; personnel policies; managing payroll; recruitment, interviewing, selection, hiring, motivating, and firing; staff retention; staff scheduling; staff development; staff supervision; conflict resolution; staff evaluations; ethical responsibilities to employees; and time and stress management.

3
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