Early Childhood AAS
SUNY Jefferson
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Early Childhood AAS

Teacher and infant with learning blocks
50% or more of this program can be completed online.

Program Highlights

  • Program Type: Career
  • Delivery: On-campus
  • Personal Interests: Love of learning, working with young children, shaping future generations
  • Skill Building: Teaching, communication, educating, creativity, problem solving
  • Career Options: Early childhood care and education
  • Program Code: HEGIS 5503

Work with children and families as you study early childhood

Jefferson’s Early Childhood A.A.S. program prepares students like you to learn the fundamentals of educating young children so you can get a job in the field once you complete the degree. You will gain practical skills for working with young children and their families in infant/toddler and preschool settings. Two fieldwork placements are required and you could be placed with area Head Start programs, Fort Drum Child Development Centers, Jefferson Community College Early Childhood Learning Center (Jefferson’s Campus Care), day care centers, family day care, and early intervention programs.

The program consists of 62 hours of academic credit, with 21 hours directly in early childhood care education.

This program offers:

  • Strong connection to local employers
  • Broad-based perspective that prepares you for early childhood care and education and related fields
  • Opportunities to complete service projects and engage in a student club that benefit local children and their families
  • Hands-on learning and observation experiences

Join the growing early childhood care and education field

Studies show that children who attend preschool are better prepared socially, emotionally, and academically for kindergarten. As an Early Childhood A.A.S. graduate, you’ll have the skills you need to help young children make developmental strides. Plus, you’ll enjoy a highly satisfying career in a growing field.

Learn to help young children grow and develop

When you complete the Early Childhood A.A.S. degree you will be able to:

  • Promote child development and learning
  • Build family and community relationships
  • Observe, document, and assess to support young children and families
  • Use developmentally effective approaches
  • Use content knowledge to build meaningful curriculum

 

 

Contact Enrollment Services for Application and Admissions Information

Jules Center 6-010 (ground level)
admissions@sunyjefferson.edu
(315) 786-2437, fax (315) 786-2349 or toll free (888) 435-6522

8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Monday-Thursday
8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Friday

 

FOCUS FURTHER

Although this degree is designed as a career program many Jefferson graduates transfer to a number of colleges to pursue a bachelor’s degree, including SUNY Empire State College, SUNY Cortland, SUNY Cobleskill, SUNY Canton and Cazenovia. If you know you want to transfer, you might want to consider our Early Childhood A.S. degree.

 

Degree requirements for Early Childhood A.A.S.

Effective Fall 2014

Early Childhood Requirements (21 credit hours)
Early Childhood Requirements (21 credit hours) Credit Hours
ECD 101: Introduction to Early Childhood Care and Development 3
ECD 181: Child Health and Safety 3
ECD 190: Observation and Assessment of Young Children’s Development 3
ECD 201: Lesson Planning, Environments, and Resources (Age 3 - 6) 3
ECD 202: Lesson Planning, Environments, and Resources (Birth - 36 months) 3
ECD 240: Fieldwork in Early Childhood Education (Age 3 - 6) 3
ECD 280: Fieldwork in Early Childhood Care and Education (Birth - 36 months) 3
Liberal Arts Requirements (27-29 credit hours)
Liberal Arts Requirements (27-29 credit hours) Credit Hours
ENG 101: Research and Composition 3
PSY 133: Introduction to Psychology 3
PSY 220: Child and Adolescent Development 3
SOC 144: Introduction to Sociology 3
SOC 241: Marriage and Family 3
Biology Elective:
     BIO 106: Human Biology recommended
3-4
Two Humanities Electives:
     Chosen from from ART, MUS, STA, ENG, PHI, Language
6
Mathematics Elective:
     MTH 144: Elementary Statistics recommended
3-4
Elective Requirements (12 credit hours)
Elective Requirements (12 credit hours) Credit Hours
Restricted Electives:
Chosen from any ANT, HIS, POL, HUS, ECD, PSY, SOC course or
STA 101: Fundamentals of Oral Communication
6
Choose 2 from:
ECD 150: Creative Arts for Young Children
ECD 210: Methods and Materials in Working with Exceptional Young Children
ECD 220: Foundations for Teaching Math and Science to Young Children
6
Physical Education Requirements
Physical Education Requirements 2 Credit Hours

Total Credit Hours 62-64

 

Program Contacts

Dr. Leah Deasy

Chair of the School of Education
ldeasy@sunyjefferson.edu 
(315) 786-6568

Dr. Mark Streiff

Interim Associate Vice President for Liberal Arts Division Division
mstreiff@sunyjefferson.edu 
(315) 786-6542

JoLynn Fiorentino

Instructor
jfiorentino@sunyjefferson.edu
(315) 786-2362