ASSOCIATE OF APPLIED SCIENCES DEGREE2012 - 2013
EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION
Award: Associate of Applied Sciences Degree
No. of credits required: 
63
For more information: Contact Kimberly Bell, 443-412-2648, kbell@harford.edu; or Advising, Career, and Transfer Services, 443-412-2301.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
This program prepares students for employment in the child care industry in a management/leadership position. Students will have the opportunity to specialize in teaching or in site management of a child care center. There are two required field placement experiences (135 hours each) in teaching in a child care program/school and site management of a child care center.

The student will meet the essential technical standards that include physical abilities and behavioral and professional characteristics necessary for the student to successfully complete the Early Childhood Education Program.

PROGRAM GOALS
Upon completion of the Early Childhood AAS Degree Program, students will be able to
  1. Demonstrate professional teaching behavior including effective communication.
  2. Design and implement developmentally appropriate curriculum and instruction for a variety of students.
  3. Identify influences on development and compare theories of learning.
  4. Make decisions in accordance with legal and ethical standards.
  5. Perform management tasks necessary to direct a child care center.
  6. Summarize past and present practices pertaining to the care and education of young children.
# CAREER-BASED ELECTIVES
(Choose three courses)
 CIS 102Introduction to Information Sciences 3
 EDUC 110Infant and Toddler Development  3
 EDUC 113Introduction to Early Childhood Education 3
 EDUC 207Processes and Acquisition of Reading 3
 EDUC 210Children with Behavioral Challenges 3
 EDUC 215School-Age Child Care 3
 ENG 102English Composition and Literature  
  or                                
 ENG 109English Composition: Research Writing  
  or                                
 ENG 209Technical Writing  
  or                                
 ENG 216Business Communications 3
 HLTH 103Wellness Theory and Applications 3
 PSY 105Human Relations 3
 PSY 207Educational Psychology 3
 SOC 101Introduction to Sociology 3

EMPLOYMENT INFORMATION
 The intent of the AAS degree in Early Childhood Education is to prepare people for employment in the child care industry, potentially in a management/leadership position. According to the Department of Human Resources, expansion of the child care industry in Harford County is anticipated in both the non-profit and for-profit sectors.


Note: The following codes identify courses which satisfy the General Education Degree Requirements:
          Behavioral/Social Science+
          English Composition
          Arts/Humanities+
          Interdisciplinary and Emerging Issues
          Biological/Physical Laboratory Science
          Mathematics
          Biological/Physical Science
 + For AS, AA, and AAT degrees, Behavioral/Social Science and Arts/Humanities electives must be selected from two different disciplines.
TO SATISFY THE DIVERSITY REQUIREMENT: Associate degree students must complete one 3-credit diversity course . It is recommended that students select one of the 3-credit , , course electives from those that also appear on the approved list of diversity course graduation requirements.
 

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
Recommended Course Sequence

First Semester Credits
EDUC 103The Young Child *3
EDUC 104Materials and Curriculum in Early Childhood *3
ENG 101English Composition 3
PSY 101General Psychology 3
Career-Based Elective #3
Physical Education Elective1
 Semester Total16
   
Second Semester Credits
CMST 101Speech Fundamentals 3
EDUC 208Avenues to Children's Literacy 3
EDUC 108Classroom Management: Early Childhood 3
MATH 102Contemporary Mathematics  
              or  
MATH 101College Algebra 3
Career-Based Elective #3
Physical Education/Fitness Elective1
 Semester Total16
   
Third Semester   Credits
EDUC 110Infant and Toddler Development   
              or  
EDUC 215School-Age Child Care 3
EDUC 200Introduction to Child Care Administration 3
EDUC 201Field Placement I 3
EDUC 217Introduction to Special Education 3
Biological/Physical Lab Science Elective 4
 Semester Total16
   
Fourth Semester Credits
EDUC 202Field Placement II 3
EDUC 216Child Health, Safety and Nutrition 3
VPA 201Visual and Performing Arts Survey 3
History Elective 3
Career Based Elective #3
 Semester Total15
   

* EDUC 103 (The Young Child) and EDUC 104 (Materials and Curriculum in Early Childhood) meet the 90 classroom hours required by the Maryland State Department of Education’s Office of Child Care.