Early Childhood Education, A.A.S.
Entry Time
Fall, Spring, Summer
Award
Associate of Applied Science (4 terms)
Associate of Arts Liberal Arts (transfer degree)
The Early Childhood Education program provides several options for students interested in the care and education of young children. Students in the program have opportunities to participate in a variety of community early childhood programs, including Head Start centers, kindergarten classrooms, voluntary four-year-old programs and child care centers. Whenever possible, experience in inclusive and diverse settings will be encouraged.
Students planning to pursue an Early Childhood Education degree at a four-year institution follow the Liberal Arts program requirements while at Kirkwood, completing general education and elective courses that prepare them for transfer. Students hoping to start their careers without transferring should work with the Early Childhood Education advisor to choose from the Associate of Applied Science degree, diploma and certificate options.
Kirkwood has articulation agreements with a number of institutions offering degrees in early childhood. By working with your advisor in Early Childhood Education, you can select courses that will meet the requirements of your transfer institution such as foreign language, laboratory science, diversity and grade point average.
Career Opportunities
- lead teachers
- assistant teachers
- paraeducators
- early childhood program directors and child care providers in a variety of early childhood programs including child care centers
- child development homes
- preschools and Head Start programs
Degree Requirements
| Term 1 | Credit Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| ECE-103 | Introduction to Early Childhood Education 1 | 3 |
| ECE-105 | Technology for Early Childhood | 1 |
| ECE-158 | Early Childhood Curriculum I | 3 |
| ECE-170 | Child Growth and Development | 3 |
| ENG-105 | Composition I 2 | 3 |
| Math/Science Course (from approved list) | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Term 2 | ||
| ECE-159 | Early Childhood Curriculum II | 3 |
| PSY-111 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| SPC-101 or SPC-112 |
Fundamentals of Oral Communication or Public Speaking |
3 |
| ENG-106 | Composition II 2 | 3 |
| Program Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Term 3 | ||
| ECE-133 | Child Health, Safety, and Nutrition | 3 |
| PSY-121 | Developmental Psychology | 3 |
| EDU-248 | Exceptional Persons | 3 |
| ECE-290 | Early Childhood Program Administration | 3 |
| Program Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Term 4 | ||
| ECE-221 | Infant/Toddler Care and Education | 3 |
| ECE-243 | Early Childhood Guidance | 3 |
| ECE-262 | Early Childhood Field Experience | 3 |
| Program Electives | 9 | |
| Credit Hours | 18 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 64 | |
- 1
Leads to certification as a paraeducator.
- 2
Your writing placement score may require prerequisite courses.
Early Childhood Recommended Program Electives
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| EDU-110 | Exploring Teaching 1 | 3 |
| EDU-119 | Behavior Management 1 | 3 |
| EDU-129 | Inclusion and Adaptation 1 | 3 |
| EDU-240 | Educational Psychology | 3 |
| EDU-249 | Cultural and Linguistic Diversity 1 | 3 |
| EDU-258 | Autism Spectrum Disorder Support | 3 |
| ASL-141 | American Sign Language I | 4 |
| ASL-171 | American Sign Language II | 4 |
| ECE-928 | Independent Study | 1 |
| FLF-141 | Elementary French I | 4 |
| FLF-142 | Elementary French II | 4 |
| FLS-141 | Elementary Spanish I | 4 |
| FLS-142 | Elementary Spanish II | 4 |
| LIT-105 | Children's Literature | 3 |
| HSV-109 | Introduction to Human Services | 3 |
| SOC-110 | Introduction to Sociology | 3 |
| SOC-120 | Marriage and Family | 3 |
- 1
Leads to certification as a paraeducator.
- 2
Your writing placement score may require prerequisite courses.