Early Childhood Education - Degree
Associate in Applied Science
Early Childhood Education Program
The Associate in Applied Science Degree in Early Childhood Education is designed to prepare students for entry-level positions in the Early Childhood Education field. Employment in early childhood education occurs in diverse settings including public and private schools, childcare centers, and home-based programs. Positions in these settings include assistant teacher, early intervention specialist, education coordinator, head teacher, director, school-community liaison, and family home care provider, among others.
This degree meets the New Jersey licensing requirements for the Group Teacher credential granted by the Division of Youth and Family Services, Bureau of Licensing. Students holding the Child Development Associate credential will receive 9 credits toward the Associate in Applied Science Degree.
While all general education credits in the degree program transfer to a four-year program in teacher education, most baccalaureate-level teacher education programs limit the number of education transfer credits. Students interested in transferring may take education courses but should consider WCCC's Associate Degree in Liberal Arts in Elementary and Secondary Education Option. The Early Childhood Education program is designed for those students interested in immediate employment in childcare centers and pre-schools.
Curriculum Requirements
Communications
|
Credits
|
|
Humanities
|
Credits
|
ENG 140 English Composition I |
3 |
|
HIS 101 Western Civilization I or HIS 113 American History I |
3 |
ENG 141 English Composition II |
3 |
|
|
3 |
COM 143 Speech |
3 |
|
Career Courses |
|
|
9 |
|
ECE 130 Early Childhood Curriculum (Formerly ECE 220) |
3 |
Mathematics/Science |
|
|
ECE 210 Children's Literature |
3 |
CSC 112 Microcomputer Applications or CSC 117 Instructional Technology |
3 |
|
ECE 225 Preschool Children with Special Needs |
3 |
|
|
|
ECE 230 Early Childhood Teaching Methods |
3 |
Mathematics or Science Electives |
6-8 |
|
ECE 240 Teaching Language Arts to Young Children |
3 |
|
9-11 |
|
ECE 250 Expressive Arts for Early Childhood Educators |
3 |
Social Science |
|
|
ECE 260 Education Field Studies I |
3 |
PSY 101 Introduction to Psychology |
3 |
|
ECE 270 Education Field Studies II |
3 |
PSY 120 Child Growth & Development |
3 |
|
EDU 110 Foundations of Education |
3 |
PSY 181 Child Psychology |
3 |
|
|
27 |
SOC 103 Introduction to Sociology or SOC 110 Sociology of Education or SOC 120 Racial and Ethnic Relations |
3 |
|
|
|
SOC 101 Foundations of Success |
1 |
|
|
|
|
13
|
|
|
|
Recommended F/T Course Sequence
First Semester |
Credits |
|
Third Semester |
Credits |
ENG 140 English Composition I |
3 |
|
PSY 181 Child Psychology |
3 |
PSY 101 Introduction to Psychology |
3 |
|
ECE 225 Preschool Children with Special Needs |
3 |
PSY 120 Child Growth & Development |
3 |
|
ECE 250 Expressive Arts for Early Childhood Educators |
3 |
ECE 130 Early Childhood Curriculum (Formerly ECE 220) |
3 |
|
HIS 101 Western Civilization I or HIS 113 American History I |
3 |
Mathematics or Science Elective |
3-4 |
|
ECE 260 Education Field Studies I |
3 |
SOC 101 Foundations of Success |
1 |
|
|
15 |
|
16-17 |
|
|
|
Second Semester |
|
|
Fourth Semester |
|
ENG 141 English Composition II |
3 |
|
SOC 103 Introduction to Sociology or SOC 110 Sociology of Education or SOC 120 Racial and Ethnic Relations |
3 |
Mathematics or Science Elective |
3-4 |
|
ECE 230 Early Childhood Teaching Methods |
3 |
ECE 210 Children's Literature |
3 |
|
COM 143 Speech |
3 |
EDU 110 Foundations of Education |
3 |
|
ECE 270 Education Field Studies II |
3 |
ECE 240 Teaching Language Arts to Young Children |
3 |
|
CSC 112 Microcomputer Software Applications or CSC 117 Instructional Technology |
3 |
|
15-16 |
|
|
15 |
|
|
|
Total Credits for Degree
|
61-63
|
| 
