Early Childhood A.A.S.
HEGIS Code 5503
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
The demand for childcare is rising due to growing numbers of single parents and families with both parents working outside the home. Qualified, educated professionals are needed - both locally and nationally. This need is expected to grow by 60% over the next decade.
To be successful in this field, a person should be energetic, motivated, creative, flexible and possess a sense of humor as well as excellent written and verbal communication skills. A thorough understanding of young children's (ages 0-8) development and the ability to create developmentally appropriate lessons, curricula and environments are essential.
Job titles include preschool teacher, early childhood specialist, family advocate, trainer, home visitor, case-worker, teacher assistant, director/administrator and school-age childcare program director. Places of employment include Head Start, YMCA, military child development centers, private and public day care centers, preschools, non-profit agencies, and government agencies.
THE PROGRAM
Our Early Childhood program offers:
- A College degree that can be completed in 2 years
- Field work at child care centers emphasizing Developmentally Appropriate Practice
- Financial Aid opportunities and Educational Incentive Program (EIP) benefits
- Contacts to help graduates find a job, or
- Contacts to help graduates open their own child care agency
- Liberal Arts & Sciences: Humanities and Social Sciences/ A.A. Degree
- Liberal Arts & Sciences: Mathematics and Sciences/ A.S. Degree
- Liberal Arts/Elementary Education: A.A./B.A. Degree (a degree program jointly registered with SUNY Potsdam)
DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
All degree requirements and courses listed are effective Fall of 2007 and are subject to change.
| Credit Hours | |
|---|---|
| Humanities (9 Credit Hours): | |
| Eng 101: Research and Composition | 3 |
| Humanities Electives from ART, MUS, STA, ENG, PHI, Language | 6 |
| Social Science (12 Credit Hours): | |
| PSY 133: Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| PSY 220: Child and Adolescent Development | 3 |
| SOC 144: Introduction to Sociology | 3 |
| SOC 241: Marriage and the Family | 3 |
| Early Childhood (21 Credit Hours): | |
| ECD 101: Introduction to Early Childhood | 3 |
| ECD 181: Child Health and Safety | 3 |
| ECD 190: Observation and Assessment of Young Children's Development | 3 |
| ECD 201: Lesson Planning, Design, Techniques and Resources 1 | 3 |
| ECD 202: Lesson Planning, Design, Techniques and Resources 2 | 3 |
| ECD 240: Field Work in Early Childhood Development | 3 |
| ECD 280: Field Work in Early Childhood Development 2 | 3 |
| Mathematics and Sciences (6 Credit Hours): | |
| Biology Elective (BIO 106: Human Biology recommended) | 3-4 |
| Mathematics Elective | 3-4 |
| Restricted Electives - (6 Credit Hours): | |
| Chosen from any ANT, HIS, POL, HUS, ECD, PSY, SOC course or STA 101: Fundamentals of Oral Communication |
6 |
| Free Electives | 6 |
| Physical Education | 2 |
| TOTAL | 62-64 |
The curricula offered by the College require certain Liberal Arts core courses in the area of Humanities, Social Sciences, and Science or Mathematics. The following indicates areas of study acceptable in meeting these requirements.
| Humanities: | American Sign Language, Art, English, Journalism, Modern Languages, Music, Philosophy, Speech, and Theater Arts. |
| Social Sciences: | Anthropology, Economics, Geography, History, Political Science, Psychology, and Sociology |
| Science and Mathematics: | Biology, Chemistry, Geology, Physics, Science, and Mathematics |
FOR MORE INFORMATION
For further information regarding this program, please contact any of the following faculty:
Gwendolyn Francis-Frey, Assistant Professor of Early Childhood
(315) 786-2386 gfrancis-frey@sunyjefferson.edu
For application and admissions information please contact:
admissions@sunyjefferson.edu
Admissions Office (315) 786-2277
Jefferson Community College
1220 Coffeen St.
Watertown,NY 13601
www.sunyjefferson.edu