Program Description
The Early Childhood Education Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree program provides students with the knowledge and skills to work with young children, ages birth-third grade. Students use learning and developmental theories to plan lessons with developmentally appropriate learning activities, suitable for a multicultural environment, as well as measure children’s mastery of learning. Additionally, students learn how to work effectively with diverse families, children, parents, the community, and colleagues. Students also learn the skills needed for managing a child care facility. Finally, students also demonstrate dispositions and behaviors consistent with professional and ethical standards.
This program provides students with the educational requirements to teach preschool children in private early childhood centers and to direct early childhood centers in the state of Maryland.
Students in this program are required to submit to a criminal background check in order to participate in the required fieldwork courses. More information about the procedure, cost, timeline, etc. can be obtained through the Education Department Advisor.
Participation in the required fieldwork courses is contingent upon the satisfactory completion of the criminal background check. If a student is denied a fieldwork placement (which is required to complete the program) due to a background check result, the student will meet with his or her advisor to discuss options, which could include dropping the course and changing program of study.
Students must earn a grade of C or higher in all courses in this program.
Program Outcomes
Graduates of the Early Childhood Education A.A.S. will be able to:
- Apply child development and learning theories when choosing developmentally appropriate practices and curriculum for specific and groups of children.
- Write effective and developmentally appropriate lesson plans.
- Differentiate lessons and activities for a variety of purposes and groups of children.
- Discuss the skills needed to be an effective part of an educational team.
- Demonstrate the skills necessary to direct a large group child care facility.
- Discuss the skills necessary to effectively communicate with families and the community.
- Plan, implement, assess and evaluate student learning outcomes for a variety of purposes.
- Apply multicultural principles and strategies to the planning, instruction, pedagogical, and assessment processes in a classroom.
- Demonstrate the dispositions and behaviors consistent with professional practice and ethical standards as outlined in the National Association for the Education for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), the Interstate New Teacher Assessment and Support Consortium (InTASC), and other current professional standards.
Note: All TED courses must be passed with a grade of C or higher.
Return to: 