Early Childhood Care and Education Degree Program
EC13 - 202014
Program Description
The Early Childhood Care and Education Associate of Applied Science (AAS) Degree program is a sequence of courses designed to prepare students for a variety of careers in the field of early childhood education. The program emphasizes a combination of early childhood care and education theory and practical application, as well as general core competencies necessary for successful employment. Graduates have qualifications to be employed in early care and education settings including child care centers, Head Start, Georgia Pre-K programs, and elementary school paraprofessional positions.
Program Specific Information
Students are accepted every semester based on course and space availability.
Students must complete ALL ECCE COURSES with a grade of C or higher in order to graduate.
Additional Requirements
The State of Georgia has a law regarding the placement of persons with criminal records in childcare facilities. Anyone who has been convicted of a felony offense, neglecting or abusing a dependent person, a sexual offense, or any other "covered crime" will not be allowed to work in a childcare facility. If you are affected by this law, or think you may be, discuss your situation immediately with your advisor. Because your employment options may be severely limited in the early childhood profession, a person who has received an unsatisfactory criminal records check is discouraged from pursuing this program of study and may need to reconsider their chosen field of study. Prior to beginning clinical/internship courses, students must order and pay for a background check and meet background check screening requirements as required by the clinical facility. Cost is approximately $50.
Program Length and Availability
5 Semesters
Campus Availability: Hall, Forsyth, Barrow
Financial Aid
This program is eligible for the Pell Grant and may be eligible for Institutional and State Financial Aid.
Contact a Financial Aid Counselor for eligibility requirements and application materials.
Admissions Requirements
Must be 16 years of age.
High school diploma or GED is required prior to admission. (Official transcripts or GED scores must be submitted from all colleges and/or high schools attended for credit.)
ACCUPLACER Testing, or submit SAT, ACT, COMPASS, or ASSET test scores.
Curriculum
General Education Core – Total of 18 Hours
Area I – Language Arts/Communications – Choose 6 Hours
Area II – Social/Behavioral Sciences – Choose 3 Hours
Area III – Natural Sciences/Mathematics – Choose 3 Hours
Area IV – Humanities/Fine Arts – Choose 3 Hours
General Education Core Elective – Choose 3 Hours
Program-Specific Core – Total of 48 Hours
Choose a Specialization – Total of 6 Hours
Paraprofessional Specialization - Offered Spring Semester Only
Infant/Toddler Development Specialization - Offered Fall Semester Only
Program Administration Specialization - Offered Fall Semester Only
Total Credit Hours: 72
Graduation Plan
Note: For a list of which courses are part of the elective area, please see the Curriculum tab for this program.
Semester One
Semester Two
Semester Three
| Area I General Education Core | 3 |
| ECCE 1121 | Early ECCE Practicum | 3 |
| ECCE 2116 | Math & Science | 3 |
| ECCE 2202 | Social Issues/Family Involve | 3 |
| General Education Core Electives | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
Semester Four
The Paraprofessional Specialization is offered Spring Semester Only
The Infant/Toddler Development Specialization is offered Fall Semester Only
Program Administration Specialization is offered Fall Semester Only
| Area III General Education Core | 3 |
| Area IV General Education Core | 3 |
| ECCE 2201 | Exceptionalities | 3 |
ECCE
| 2 Course Specialization | 6 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
Semester Five
Apply for Graduation
Total Credit Hours: 72
This plan is for informational purposes ONLY. It is not a substitute for meeting with a program advisor each term.
*Regular Admission means that a student has met all admissions requirements and that the student does not require any learning support classes.