Early Childhood Care and Education, AAS

EC13

Program Description

The Early Childhood Care and Education degree is a sequence of courses designed to prepare students for careers in early childhood care and education and related fields. Learning opportunities develop academic, technical, and professional knowledge and skills required for job acquisition, retention, and advancement. The program emphasizes a combination of early childhood care and education theory and practical application necessary for successful employment. Program graduates receive an Early Childhood Care and Education associate of applied science degree with one of the following concentrations: 1) Early Childhood Care and Education Paraprofessional 2) Early Childhood Program Administration 3) Exceptionalities. (Program Length: 6 Semesters Minimum)

View the Early Childhood Care and Education AAS Program Fact Sheet for additional information.

The Gwinnett Technical College Early Childhood Technology program is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children.

National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)
1313 L St. NW, Suite 500
Washington, D.C. 20005
(202) 232-8777
naeyc.org

Employment Opportunities

Early childhood care and education paraprofessional in an elementary school or special education classroom, early childhood program management director or assistant director, lead teacher in an early childhood program

Curriculum

Essential General Education Core Courses (18 Credits)

Area I - Language Arts/Communication

(Successful completion of ENGL 1101 and one other course from Area I is required)

ENGL 1101 - Composition and Rhetoric Credit hours: 3
ENGL 1102 - Literature and Composition Credit hours: 3
COMM 1100 - Human Communication Credit hours: 3
SPCH 1101 - Public Speaking Credit hours: 3

Area II - Social/Behavioral Sciences

PSYC 1101 - Introductory Psychology Credit hours: 3

Area III - Natural Sciences/Mathematics

(Successful completion of MATH 1111 or MATH 1103 is required)

MATH 1103 - Quantitative Skills and Reasoning Credit hours: 3
MATH 1111 - College Algebra Credit hours: 3

Area IV - Humanities/Fine Arts

(Choose ONE of the following)

ARTS 1101 - Art Appreciation Credit hours: 3
ENGL 2110 - World Literature Credit hours: 3
ENGL 2130 - American Literature Credit hours: 3
HUMN 1101 - Introduction to Humanities Credit hours: 3
MUSC 1101 - Music Appreciation Credit hours: 3
RELG 1101 - World Religions Credit hours: 3

General Education Elective:

To meet the minimum required 18 semester credit hours in general education courses, an additional 3 semester credit hours must be taken from Area I, Area II, Area III, or Area IV. Students can view the complete list of classes here .

Essential Technical Courses (47 Credits)

FYES 1000 - First Year Experience Credit hours: 2
ECCE 1101 - Intro to Early Childhood Care & Education Credit hours: 3
ECCE 1103 - Child Growth and Development Credit hours: 3
ECCE 1105 - Health, Safety and Nutrition Credit hours: 3
ECCE 1112 - Curriculum and Assessment Credit hours: 3
ECCE 1113 - Creative Activities for Children Credit hours: 3
ECCE 1121 - Early Childhood Care & Ed Practicum Credit hours: 3
ECCE 2115 - Language and Literacy Credit hours: 3
ECCE 2116 - Math and Science Credit hours: 3
ECCE 2201 - Exceptionalities Credit hours: 3
ECCE 2202 - Social Issues & Family Involvement Credit hours: 3
ECCE 2203 - Guidance and Classroom Management Credit hours: 3
ECCE 2245 - Early Childhood Care and Education Internship I Credit hours: 6 *
ECCE 2246 - Early Childhood Care and Education Internship II Credit hours: 6 *
*(Must be within 18 hours or less of completing program)

Concentrations

(Completion of ONE of the following concentrations is required for graduation.)

Paraprofessional Concentration (6 Credits)

8PS3

ECCE 2310 - Paraprofessional Methods and Materials Credit hours: 3
ECCE 2312 - Paraprofessional Roles and Practices Credit hours: 3

Program Administration Concentration (6 Credits)

8P13

ECCE 2320 - Program Administration and Facility Management Credit hours: 3
ECCE 2322 - Personnel Management Credit hours: 3

Exceptionalities Concentration (6 Credits)

8EX3

ECCE 2360 - Classroom Strategies for Exceptional Children Credit hours: 3 *
ECCE 2362 - Exploring Your Role in the Exceptional Environment Credit hours: 3 *
* ECCE 2360 and ECCE 2362 must be taken concurrently and are only offered fall semester.

Total Hours: 71

Suggested First Semester classes:

FYES 1000 - First Year Experience Credit hours: 2
ECCE 1101 - Intro to Early Childhood Care & Education Credit hours: 3
ECCE 1103 - Child Growth and Development Credit hours: 3
ECCE 1105 - Health, Safety and Nutrition Credit hours: 3