Early Childhood Care & Education Degree (EC13)  Degree


Campus Locations: Vidalia, Swainsboro

The Early Childhood Care & Education (ECCE) Associate of Applied Science Degree program is a sequence of courses designed to prepare students for a variety of careers in the field of early childhood education. The program emphasizes a combination of early childhood care and education theory and practical application as well as general core competencies necessary for successful employment. Graduates have qualifications to be employed in early care and education settings including child care centers, Head Start, Georgia Pre-K programs, and elementary school paraprofessional positions. Graduates of this program will receive one of two areas of specialization: paraprofessional or program administration. The ECCE program adheres to the Technical College System of Georgia program standards utilizing off-campus, community-based internship sites, or on-campus laboratory preparation in the Child Development Center located at the Swainsboro campus. Students must have their own reliable transportation when traveling to off-campus internship sites. Students must complete a Comprehensive Fingerprint Records Check and receive a satisfactory determination by Bright from the Start: Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning. The standard curriculum for the Early Childhood Care & Education program is designed for the semester system. Students are accepted into the program each semester. The program generally takes six (6) semesters to complete. To graduate, students must earn a minimum of 72 credit hours.

Requirements

  • Submit a completed application;
  • Be at least 16 years of age;
  • Submit official high school/high school equivalent transcripts;
  • Submit official college transcripts, if applicable;
  • Satisfy Placement Testing requirements.

Program Costs

Costs are estimates and are subject to change.

  • Tuition/Fees: $9,306
  • Books/Supplies: $2,975
  • Course Supply Fees
    • ECCE 1121 Practicum Liability Insurance: $12
    • ECCE 1105 Health, Safety, & Nutrition CPR/First Aid Vouchers: $27
    • ECCE 1112 Curriculum and Assessment: $10
    • ECCE 1113 Creative Activities for Children: $20
    • ECCE 2115 Language and Literacy: $10
    • ECCE 2116 Math and Science: $10
    • ECCE 2245 Internship I Liability Insurance: $12
    • ECCE 2246 Internship II Liability Insurance: $12
  • Hepatitis B Vaccination: Approximately $260. Some internship and practicum sites require a Hepatitis B Vaccination.
  • CPR/First Aid is a requirement for ECCE 1105 Health Safety and Nutrition. All students are required to be certified in CPR/First Aid before exiting this course.

The Early Childhood Care & Education Paraprofessional Training program is approved by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission, Two Peachtree Street, Suite 6000, Atlanta, GA 30303, (800) 869-7775. http://www.gapsc.com/

The Southeastern Technical College Child Development Center is a Bright from the Start: Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning two-star Quality Rated Child Care Center. Quality Rated Child Care is a systemic approach to assess, improve, and communicate the level of quality in early education and school-age care programs. By participating in Georgia’s voluntary Quality Rated program, families have assurance the program provides an environment and experience that is best for their child’s development. Bright from the Start: Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning, 2 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive SE, 754 East Tower, Atlanta, Georgia 30334 (404) 656-5957 or (888) 442-7735.

Curriculum Outline (72 hours)
General Core Courses (21 hours) 21
COLL 1040

(Prerequisite: None) This course is designed to provide tools to assist students to acquire skills necessary to achieve academic and professional success in their chosen occupational/technical program of study. Topics include: Computer Applications/Technology Skills, Getting off to a Good Start, Learning and Personality Styles, Time and Money Management, Study and Test Taking Skills, Stress Management and Wellness, Communication Skills, and Career Exploration.

3
Area I: Language Arts/Communication
ENGL 1101

(Prerequisite: Appropriate English Placement Test Score AND Appropriate Reading Placement Test Score) Explores the analysis of literature and articles about issues in the humanities and in society. Students practice various modes of writing, ranging from exposition to argumentation and persuasion. The course includes a review of standard grammatical and stylistic usage in proofreading and editing. An introduction to library resources lays the foundation for research. Topics include writing analysis and practice, revision, and research. Students write a research paper using library resources and using a formatting and documentation style appropriate to the purpose and audience.

3
SPCH 1101

(Prerequisites: ENGL 1101- Institutional Requirement) Introduces the student to the fundamentals of oral communication. L Topics include selection and organization of materials, preparation and delivery of individual and group presentations, analysis of ideas presented by others, and professionalism.

3
Area II: Social/Behavioral Sciences
PSYC 1101

(Prerequisite: Appropriate Degree Level Writing (English) and Reading Placement Test Scores) Introduces the major fields of contemporary psychology. Emphasis is on critical thinking and fundamental principles of psychology as a science. Topics include research design, the organization and operation of the nervous system, sensation and perception, learning and memory, motivation and emotion, thinking and intelligence, lifespan development, personality, psychological disorders and treatment, stress and health, and social psychology.

3
Area III: Natural Sciences/Mathematics
MATH 1111

(Prerequisites: Appropriate algebra placement test score) Emphasizes techniques of problem solving using algebraic concepts. Topics include fundamental concepts of algebra, equations and inequalities, functions and graphs, and systems of equations; optional topics include sequences, series, and probability or analytic geometry.

3
Area IV: Humanities/Fine Arts
ENGL 2130

(Prerequisite: ENGL 1101) Emphasizes American literature as a reflection of culture and ideas. A survey of important works in American literature. Includes a variety of literary genres: short stories, poetry, drama, nonfiction, and novels. Topics include literature and culture, essential themes and ideas, literature and history, and research skills.

3
General Education Elective
Choose One: (3 hours)
ECON 1101

(Prerequisites: Regular Admission) Provides a description and analysis of economic operations in contemporary society. Emphasis is placed on developing an understanding of economic concepts and policies as they apply to everyday life. Topics include basic economic principles; economic forces and indicators; capital and labor; price, competition, and monopoly; money and banking; government expenditures, federal and local; fluctuations in production, employment, and income; and United States economy in perspective.

3
SOCI 1101

(Prerequisite: Appropriate Degree Level Writing (English) and Reading Placement Scores) Explores the sociological analysis of society, its culture, and structure. Sociology is presented as a science with emphasis placed on its methodology and theoretical foundations. Topics include basic sociological concepts, socialization, social interaction and culture, social groups and institutions, deviance and social control, social stratification, social change, and marriage and family.

3
Occupational Courses (51 hours) 51
ECCE 1101

(Prerequisite: Provisional admission) Introduces concepts relating the responsibilities and procedures involved in a variety of early childhood care situations. Topics include: historical perspectives, professionalism, guidance, developmentally appropriate practices; learning environment including all children), cultural diversity, and licensing accreditation and credentialing.

3
ECCE 1103

(Prerequisites: Provisional admission) Introduces the student to the physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development of the young child (prenatal through 12 years of age). The course provides for competency development in observing, recording, and interpreting growth and development stages in the young child; advancing physical and intellectual competence; supporting social and emotional development; and examining relationships between child development and positive guidance. Topics include developmental characteristics, prenatal through age 12, developmental guidance applications, observing and recording techniques, ages and stages of development, and introduction to children with special needs.

3
ECCE 1105

(Prerequisites: Provisional admission) Introduces the theory, practices, and requirements for establishing and maintaining a safe, healthy learning environment. Topics include CPR and first aid, health issues, safety issues, child abuse and neglect, and nutritional needs of children. A $10 fee is associated with this course due to the cost of CPR/first aid card and training.

3
ECCE 1112

(Prerequisites: ECCE 1103) (Co-requisites: ECCE 1103) Provides student with an understanding of developmentally effective approaches to teaching, learning, observing, documenting and assessment strategies that promote positive development for young children. The course will enable the student to establish a learning environment appropriate for young children and to identify the goals, benefits, and uses of assessment in the development of curriculum for young children. Topics include observing, documenting, and assessing; standards; learning environments; development of curriculum plans and materials; curriculum approaches; and instructional media. A $10 fee is associated with this course due to the cost of supplies for activities required in courses.

3
ECCE 1113

(Prerequisites: Provisional admission) Introduces the concepts related to creativity in art, music, movement and creative drama, and facilitating children's creative expression across the curriculum. Topics include concepts of creativity and expression; theories of young children's creative development; facilitation of children's creative expression, media, methods and materials across the curriculum; appreciation of children's art processes and products; appreciation of children's creativity in music, movement and dance; appreciation of children's creative expression in play and creative drama; and art and music appreciation.  A $10 fee is associated with this course due to the cost of supplies for activities required in courses.

3
ECCE 1121

(Prerequisites: ECCE 1105) (Co-requisite: ECCE 1105) Provides the student with the opportunity to gain a supervised experience in a practicum placement site allowing demonstration of techniques obtained from course work. Practicum training topics include: promoting child development and learning, building family and community relationships, observing, documenting, and assessing to support young children and families, teaching and learning; becoming a professional; and guidance techniques and classroom management.

3
ECCE 2115

(Prerequisites: ECCE 1103) (Co-requisite: ECCE 1103) Develops knowledge, skills, and abilities in supporting young children's literacy acquisition and development, birth through age twelve. Topics include developmental continuum of reading and writing, literacy acquisition birth to five years of age, literacy acquisition in kindergarten, literacy acquisition in early grades, and literacy acquisition in children who are culturally and linguistically diverse. A $10 fee is associated with this course due to the cost of supplies for activities required in courses.

3
ECCE 2116

(Prerequisites: ECCE 1103) (Co-requisite: ECCE 1103) Presents the process of introducing science and math concepts to young children. Includes planning and implementation of developmentally appropriate activities and development of math and science materials, media and methods. Topics include inquiry approach to learning; cognitive stages and developmental processes in developing math and science concepts with children birth to five; cognitive stages and developmental processes in developing math and science concepts with children in kindergarten and primary grades; planning math and science activities; and development of math and science materials, media and methods. A $10 fee is associated with this course due to the cost of supplies for activities required in courses.

3
ECCE 2201

(Prerequisites: ECCE 1103) Provides for the development of knowledge and skills that will enable the student to understand individuals with special needs and appropriately guide their development. Special emphasis is placed on acquainting the student with programs and community resources and programs that serve families with children with special needs. Topics include inclusion/least restrictive environment (LRE), physical and motor impairments, gifted/talented, intellectual and cognitive disabilities, emotional and behavioral disorders, communication disorders in speech and language, autism spectrum disorders, visual impairments, deaf and hard of hearing, health impairments, multiple disabilities, and community resources.

3
ECCE 2202

(Prerequisites: Provisional admission) Enables the student to become familiar with the social issues that affect families of today and to develop a plan for coping with these issues as they occur in the occupational environment. Students are introduced to local programs and agencies that offer services to those in need. Topics include: parent education and support, teacher-parent communication, professional responsibilities, family/social issues, community resources, community partnerships, social diversity and anti-bias issues, transitioning the child, and school family activities.

3
ECCE 2203

(Prerequisites: ECCE 1103) (Co-requisite: ECCE 1103) Examines effective guidance practices in group settings based upon the application of theoretical models of child development and of developmentally appropriate practices. Focus will be given to individual, family, and cultural diversity. Topics will include developmentally appropriate child guidance (birth through 12); effective classroom management, including preventive and interventive techniques; understanding challenging behaviors; and implementing guidance plans.

3
ECCE 2245

(Prerequisites: ECCE 1101, ECCE 1103 and ECCE 1105)(Co-requisites: ECCE 1105) Provides the student with the opportunity to gain a supervised experience in an actual or simulated work site allowing demonstration of techniques obtained from course work. Internship topics include promoting child development and learning; building family and community relationships; observing, documenting, and assessing to support young children and families; using developmentally effective approaches; using content knowledge to build meaningful curriculum; and becoming a professional. A $12 Liability Insurance fee is required for this course.

6
ECCE 2246

(Prerequisites: ECCE 1101, ECCE 1103)(Co-requisites: ECCE 1105, ECCE 2245) Provides the student with the opportunity to gain a supervised experience in an actual or simulated work site allowing demonstration of techniques obtained from course work. Internship topics include promoting child development and learning; building family and community relationships; observing, documenting, and assessing to support young children and families; using developmentally effective approaches; using content knowledge to build meaningful curriculum; and becoming a professional. A $12 Liability Insurance fee is required for this course.

6
Specialization Area - Choose One Of The Following Specializations: (6 hours)
Paraprofessional (6 hours)
ECCE 2310

(Prerequisites: ECCE 1103) (Co-requisite: ECCE 1103) Develops the instructional skills to enable the student to work as a paraprofessional in a program for kindergarten through elementary age children. Topics include assessment and curriculum, instructional techniques, and methods for instruction in a learning environment.

3
ECCE 2312

(Prerequisites: ECCE 1103) (Co-requisite: ECCE 1103) Develops skills to enable the student to work as a paraprofessional in a program for kindergarten through elementary aged children. Topics include professional qualifications, professional and ethical conduct, professionalism and employment, and paraprofessional roles and responsibilities.

3
Program Administration (6 hours)
ECCE 2320

(Prerequisites: Provisional admission) Provides training in planning, implementation, and maintenance of an effective early childhood program and facility. Topics include: organization, mission, philosophy, goals of a program; types of programs; laws, rules, regulations, accreditation and program evaluation; needs assessment; administrative roles and board of directors; anti-bias program development; child development and developmentally appropriate practices; marketing, public and community relations, grouping, enrollment and retention; working with families; professionalism and work ethics; space management; money management; and program equipment, and supplies management.

3
ECCE 2322

(Prerequisites: Provisional admission) Provides training in personnel management. Topics include: staff records; communication; personnel policies; managing payroll, recruitment, interviewing, selection, hiring, motivating, and firing; staff retention; staff scheduling, staff development; staff supervision; conflict resolution; and staff evaluation; ethical responsibilities to employees; and time and stress management.

3
Faculty
Advisor

Early Childhood Care & Education Instructor
Vidalia Campus - Building A, Office 314/316

Advisor

Early Childhood Care & Education Instructor
Swainsboro Campus - Building 2, Office 2125/2126

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