Early Childhood Development and Education: Instructional Specialty

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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.

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 Framework Credit Hours: 3
ENGL 1301 - Composition and Rhetoric I Credit Hours: 3
POFI 1301 - Computer Applications I Credit Hours: 3 OR POFT 1329
TECA 1311 - Educating Young Children Credit Hours: 3 OR CDEC 1311
TECA 1318 - Wellness of the Young Child Credit Hours: 3 OR CDEC 1318
CDEC 1313 - Curriculum Resources for Early Childhood Programs Credit Hours: 3
CDEC 1319 - Child Guidance Credit 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 Development Credit Hours: 3
TECA 1303 - Families, School, and Community Credit Hours: 3 OR CDEC 1303
TECA 1354 - Child Growth and Development Credit Hours: 3 OR CDEC 1354
POFT 2312 - Business Correspondence and Communication Credit Hours: 3
SPCH 1318 - Interpersonal and Small Group Communication Credit Hours: 3 OR SPCH 1315 OR SPCH 1321
MATH 1332 - Quantitative Reasoning Credit Hours: 3 OR other college level math or science.
CDEC 1381 - Cooperative Education II - Curriculum Methods Credit 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 the Application for Graduation at the Admission’s Office. You should also meet with your coach/advisor to begin preparing applications for transfer.

PSYC 2301 - General Psychology Credit Hours: 3
Elective: Language/Philosophy/Culture OR Creative Arts
Click to view/hide options. Credit Hours: 3
SOCI 2301 - Sociology of Marriage and Family Credit Hours: 3
CDEC 2380 - Cooperative Education III - Teaching Methods Credit 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 Toddler Credit Hours: 3
CDEC 2322 - Child Development Associate Training II Credit Hours: 3
CDEC 2324 - Child Development Associate Training III Credit Hours: 3
CDEC 2326 - Administration of Programs for Children Credit Hours: 3
EDUC 1301 - Introduction to the Teaching Profession Credit Hours: 3
EDUC 2301 - Introduction to Special Populations Credit Hours: 3

Early Childhood Instructional Specialty Certificate: 18 Credit Hours

CDEC 1313 - Curriculum Resources for Early Childhood Programs Credit Hours: 3
CDEC 1319 - Child Guidance Credit Hours: 3
CDEC 1380 - Cooperative Education I- Child Care and Development Credit Hours: 3
TECA 1311 - Educating Young Children Credit Hours: 3 OR CDEC 1311
TECA 1318 - Wellness of the Young Child Credit Hours: 3 OR CDEC 1318
TECA 1354 - Child Growth and Development Credit Hours: 3 OR CDEC 1354

Early Childhood Infant/Toddler Certificate: 18 Credit Hours

CDEC 1319 - Child Guidance Credit Hours: 3
CDEC 1321 - The Infant and Toddler Credit Hours: 3
CDEC 1380 - Cooperative Education I- Child Care and Development Credit Hours: 3
TECA 1311 - Educating Young Children Credit Hours: 3 OR CDEC 1311
TECA 1318 - Wellness of the Young Child Credit Hours: 3 OR CDEC 1318
TECA 1354 - Child Growth and Development Credit Hours: 3 OR CDEC 1354