Early Childhood Development and Education: Instructional Specialty

Print Degree Planner (opens a new window)|

Child care teachers and public school teachers play a vital role in preparing children and youth to build skills they will need throughout life. Child development educators nurture and care for children by helping them explore interests, develop talents and independence, and learn how to get along with others.

Public school teachers work with older children to facilitate learning through interactive discussions and hands-on approaches to help them learn concepts. As children get older, teachers use more sophisticated materials. The instructional specialty prepares teachers on the front lines working with young learners.

Full Time Course Sequence:AAS Degree,Certificate

Associate of Applied Science: 60 Credit Hours

Foundations

Foundations courses provide the footing for the remainder of the Associates Degree and beyond. They provide the knowledge and skills upon which other courses will build. Whether attending full or part time, plan to complete most if not all of Foundations prior to taking courses under Knowledge Building or Preparing for Completion.

PSYC 1300 - Learning FrameworkCredit Hours:3
ENGL 1301 - Composition and Rhetoric ICredit Hours:3
POFI 1301 - Computer Applications ICredit Hours:3ORPOFT 1329
TECA 1311 - Educating Young ChildrenCredit Hours:3ORCDEC 1311
TECA 1318 - Wellness of the Young ChildCredit Hours:3ORCDEC 1318
CDEC 1313 - Curriculum Resources for Early Childhood ProgramsCredit Hours:3
CDEC 1319 - Child GuidanceCredit Hours:3

Knowledge Building

Knowledge Building courses expand upon foundational learning and develop skills at a deeper level. It is recommended that students complete these courses prior to moving forward to Preparing for Completion.

CDEC 1380 - Cooperative Education I- Child Care and DevelopmentCredit Hours:3
TECA 1303 - Families, School, and CommunityCredit Hours:3ORCDEC 1303
TECA 1354 - Child Growth and DevelopmentCredit Hours:3ORCDEC 1354
POFT 2312 - Business Correspondence and CommunicationCredit Hours:3
SPCH 1318 - Interpersonal CommunicationCredit Hours:3OROne Course From
Speech Communications Core
.
MATH 1332 - Quantitative ReasoningCredit Hours:3ORother college level math or science.
CDEC 1381 - Cooperative Education II - Curriculum MethodsCredit Hours:3

Preparing for Completion

These courses provide capstone knowledge and skills, which prepares students for their next steps. Before beginning the third set of courses in this pathway, complete theApplication for Graduation at the Admission’s Office. You should also meet with your coach/advisor to begin preparing applications for transfer.

PSYC 2301 - General PsychologyCredit Hours:3
Elective: Language/Philosophy/Culture OR Creative Arts
Click to view/hide options.Credit Hours:3
SOCI 2301 - Sociology of Marriage and FamilyCredit Hours:3
CDEC 2380 - Cooperative Education III - Teaching MethodsCredit Hours:3
Program Elective: To be chosen from the list below.Credit Hours:3
Program Elective: To be chosen from the list below.Credit Hours:3

Program Elective Options

CDEC 1321 - The Infant and ToddlerCredit Hours:3
CDEC 2322 - Child Development Associate Training IICredit Hours:3
CDEC 2324 - Child Development Associate Training IIICredit Hours:3
为孩子们CDEC 2326 -管理项目nCredit Hours:3
EDUC 1301 - Introduction to the Teaching ProfessionCredit Hours:3
EDUC 2301 - Introduction to Special PopulationsCredit Hours:3

Early Childhood Instructional Specialty Certificate: 18 Credit Hours

CDEC 1313 - Curriculum Resources for Early Childhood ProgramsCredit Hours:3
CDEC 1319 - Child GuidanceCredit Hours:3
CDEC 1380 - Cooperative Education I- Child Care and DevelopmentCredit Hours:3
TECA 1311 - Educating Young ChildrenCredit Hours:3ORCDEC 1311
TECA 1318 - Wellness of the Young ChildCredit Hours:3ORCDEC 1318
TECA 1354 - Child Growth and DevelopmentCredit Hours:3ORCDEC 1354

Early Childhood Infant/Toddler Certificate: 18 Credit Hours

CDEC 1319 - Child GuidanceCredit Hours:3
CDEC 1321 - The Infant and ToddlerCredit Hours:3
CDEC 1380 - Cooperative Education I- Child Care and DevelopmentCredit Hours:3
TECA 1311 - Educating Young ChildrenCredit Hours:3ORCDEC 1311
TECA 1318 - Wellness of the Young ChildCredit Hours:3ORCDEC 1318
TECA 1354 - Child Growth and DevelopmentCredit Hours:3ORCDEC 1354