Early Childhood Education, AAS
Program Code: Early Childhood Education-AAS
This program can be completed 100% online.
Program Description
The Associate of Applied Science, Early Childhood Education, prepares the graduate for a career working with young children birth through age five and their families. Students can choose electives in preschool, infant/toddler, or administration of early childhood education programs.
Early Childhood Education Career Map
Recommended Course Schedule
| 1st semester | Units | |
|---|---|---|
| ECE 190 | Professionalism in Early Care and Education | 3 |
| ECE 250 | Introduction to Early Childhood Education | 3 |
| HDFS 201 | Lifespan Human Development | 3 |
| Mathematics 3 | 3 | |
| ENG 101 or ENG 113 | Composition I (Communications/English) or Composition I for International and Multilingual Students | 3 |
| Semester Total | 15 | |
| 2nd semester | ||
| Communications/English 4 | 3 | |
| ECE 130 | Infancy | 3 |
| ECE 204 | Principles of Child Guidance | 3 |
| ECE 210 | Observation, Documentation and Assessment of Young Children | 3 |
| HDFS 232 | Diversity in Children | 3 |
| Semester Total | 15 | |
| 3rd semester | ||
| ECE 200 | The Exceptional Child | 3 |
| ECE 251 | Curriculum in Early Childhood Education | 3 |
| HDFS 202 | Introduction to Families | 3 |
| NUTR 121 | Human Nutrition | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Semester Total | 15 | |
| 4th semester | ||
| ECE 121 | Parent Caregiver Relationships | 1 |
| ECE 231 | Preschool Practicum: Early Childhood Lab | 3 |
| MGT 212 | Leadership and Human Relations | 3 |
| Elective | 2 | |
| Fine Arts/Humanities/Social Science 3 | 3 | |
| U.S. and Nevada Constitutions 3 | 3 | |
| Semester Total | 15 | |
| Total Units | 60 | |
The AAS in Early Childhood Education Emphasis at TMCC is accredited by the Commission on the Accreditation of Early Childhood Higher Education Programs of the National Association for the Education of Young Children, www.naeyc.org. The accreditation term runs from July 2023 through July 2025.
Field Experience and Practicum Experience:
All ECE degrees require courses with field experience and practicum experience in early childhood classrooms with young children (birth to age five). Field and practicum experiences are focused student teaching that require the student to demonstrate specific skills in an early childhood classroom with young children.
- Students must complete the practicum experience through TMCC or through their place of work if they work in a licensed childcare setting serving children aged 3-5.
- Students are required to have fingerprints, an approved background check, and a clear TB test prior to enrolling in courses with field experience or practicum. If a student fails to meet these requirements, or if the background check is not approved, the student will not be permitted to participate in courses with field experience or practicum.
- Students must meet all of the prerequisite/co-requisite requirements, as well as have the practicum instructor’s approval prior to enrolling in a practicum course.
- Students must complete the practicum course during the final year of the ECE program of study.
- Students must work with the practicum instructor to arrange a practicum schedule and placement site.
Accreditation
The Early Childhood Education, Preschool, AAS is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Early Childhood Associate Degree Accreditation (ECADA).
NAEYC/ECADA
1313 L St. N.W. Suite 500
Washington DC 20005
800-424-2460, Extension 8007
Program Requirements
AAS degrees are generally non-transfer degrees that are designed for students to enter the workforce.
To earn an AAS degree, students must:
- Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 (see requirements for graduation.)
- Complete a minimum of 15 units within the college.
- Satisfy General Education requirements for the AAS.
- Have no financial or library obligation to the college.
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| General Education Requirements | ||
| Diversity | 3 | |
Required: | ||
| Diversity in Children | ||
| Communications/English | 6 | |
Required: | ||
| Composition I | ||
or ENG 113 | Composition I for International and Multilingual Students | |
| Fine Arts/Humanities/Social Science | 3 | |
Recommended: | ||
| Principles of Sociology | ||
| General Psychology | ||
| Human Relations | 3 | |
Required: | ||
| Leadership and Human Relations | ||
| Mathematics | 3 | |
| Science | 3 | |
Required: | ||
| Human Nutrition | ||
| U.S. and Nevada Constitutions | 3 | |
| Degree Requirements 1 | ||
| ECE 130 | Infancy | 3 |
| ECE 190 | Professionalism in Early Care and Education | 3 |
| ECE 200 | The Exceptional Child | 3 |
| ECE 204 | Principles of Child Guidance | 3 |
| ECE 210 | Observation, Documentation and Assessment of Young Children | 3 |
| ECE 250 | Introduction to Early Childhood Education | 3 |
| ECE 251 | Curriculum in Early Childhood Education | 3 |
| ECE 231 | Preschool Practicum: Early Childhood Lab 2 | 3 |
| HDFS 201 | Lifespan Human Development | 3 |
| HDFS 202 | Introduction to Families | 3 |
| ECE 121 | Parent Caregiver Relationships | 1 |
| Elective Requirements 1 | 5 | |
| Social/Emotional Development for Infants and Toddlers | ||
| Role of Play for Infants and Toddlers | ||
| Special Topics in ECE | ||
| Administration of the Preschool | ||
| Early Foundations in Mathematics | ||
| Exploration of Children's Literature | ||
| Supervision and Human Relations | ||
| Any ECE courses not listed | ||
| Total Units | 60 | |
- 1
A student must maintain a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 (C) or better, and a minimum grade of “C” must be earned in each of the degree and elective requirements.
- 2
Students must complete the practicum experience through TMCC.
Program Outcomes
Students completing the degree will:
PSLO1: Demonstrate competence in the knowledge and skills defined in the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Early Childhood Associate Degree Accreditation (ECADA) Professional Standards and Competencies for Early Childhood Educators.
- Child Development and Learning in Context
- Family-Teacher Partnerships and Community Connections
- Child Observation, Documentation, and Assessment
- Developmentally, Culturally, and Linguistically Appropriate Teaching Practices
- Knowledge, Application, and Integration of Academic Content in the Early Childhood Curriculum
- Professionalism as an Early Childhood Educator
PSLO2: Demonstrate proficiency as a preschool teacher in an early childhood program.
PSLO3: Demonstrate skill in oral and written communication related to the study and practice of early childhood education.
