Early Childhood Education, AAS

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Additional information available on the Early Childhood Education Department website.

Recommended basic skills courses are

College Reading & Writing Literacy
College Quantitative Literacy

Early Childhood Education, like all education, demands well-prepared teachers. A growing body of research supports the value of high-quality early childhood programs for children’s later success in school and in life, the most important determinant of which is the teacher.

Pikes Peak Community College and the Early Childhood Education program faculty are committed to providing the optimal course of study that meets the career goals of each student. The Early Childhood Education program is the foundation for a challenging and rewarding career in early childhood care and education as well as other related fields.

All students registered for ECE classes, both lecture-based and practicum-based courses, must submit to a criminal background check the first semester of enrollment. This process is completed online through the PPCC Human Resources Department, with an associated cost for the background check service. Further instructions are available on the ECE home page and will be provided the first day of class.

Upon completion of the Early Childhood Education program, students will be able to meet the educational qualifications for early childhood teacher and director as defined by the Colorado Department of Human Services for licensed childcare centers and preschools.

All students should schedule an appointment with an Early Childhood Education program advisor prior to enrolling in a class. Please call 719-502-3300 to schedule an appointment.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the Early Childhood Education degree program, students should be able to:

Apply their knowledge of child development and learning to their teaching practices
Develop family and community relationships
Observe, document, and assess young children to make informed decisions
Apply developmentally effective approaches to connect with children and families
Use content knowledge to build meaningful curriculum
Define and demonstrate being an early childhood professional

General Education Courses

CIS 118 - Introduction to PC Applications 3 Credit Hour(s)
or
CSC 105 - Computer Literacy 3 Credit Hour(s)
COM 115 - Public Speaking 3 Credit Hour(s)
or
COM 125 - Interpersonal Communication SS3 3 Credit Hour(s)
ENG 121 - English Composition I CO1 3 Credit Hour(s)
MAT 112 - Financial Mathematics 3 Credit Hour(s)
PSY 101 - General Psychology I SS3 3 Credit Hour(s)
or
PSY 112 - Psychology of Adjustment 3 Credit Hour(s)
or
SOC 101 - Introduction to Sociology I SS3 3 Credit Hour(s)
or
SOC 205 - Sociology of Family Dynamics SS3 3 Credit Hour(s)

Total Credit Hours: 15

Additional Required Courses

(all emphasis areas)

ECE 101 - Introduction to Early Childhood Education 3 Credit Hour(s)
ECE 102 - Introduction to Early Childhood Techniques 3 Credit Hour(s)
ECE 103 - Guidance Strategies for Young Children 3 Credit Hour(s)
ECE 111 - Infant & Toddler Theory & Practice 3 Credit Hour(s)
ECE 205 - Nutrition, Health & Safety 3 Credit Hour(s)
ECE 209 - Observation & Assessment of Young Children’s Development, Learning, & Programs 1 Credit Hour(s)
ECE 220 - Curriculum Development: Methods & Techniques 3 Credit Hour(s)
ECE 226 - Creativity & the Young Child 3 Credit Hour(s)
ECE 238 - ECE Child Growth & Development 3 Credit Hour(s)
ECE 240 - Administration of Early Childhood Care & Education Programs 3 Credit Hour(s)
ECE 241 - Administration: Human Relations for Early Childhood Education 3 Credit Hour(s)
ECE 256 - Working with Families & Communities 3 Credit Hour(s)
ECE 260 - The Exceptional Child 3 Credit Hour(s)
ECE 289 - Capstone: Early Childhood Education 5 Credit Hour(s)
Complete one of the following three practicums based on student’s focus area:
ECE 112 - Introduction to Infant/Toddler Lab Techniques 3 Credit Hour(s)
or
ECE 192 - School Age Lab Techniques 3 Credit Hour(s)
or
ECE 261 - Exceptional Child Lab Techniques 3 Credit Hour(s)

Academic Catalog

Early Childhood Education, AAS

General Education Courses

Total Credit Hours: 15

Additional Required Courses

Total Credit Hours: 45

Total Credit Hours: 60