Mar 29, 2024  
Fall 2015 Course Catalog 
    
Fall 2015 Course Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Early Childhood A.A.S.


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Division: Business, Behavioral/Social Sciences, Public and Human Services
Academic Dept: Human Services
HEGIS: 5503
Curriculum Chair: Prof. Sheila Hanna
Telephone: 914-606-6625
Email: sheila.hanna@sunywcc.edu

Students are encouraged to apply early due to an extraordinary demand.

A Note about Program Requirements


The requirements listed below are for students entering into this program in Fall 2015/Spring 2016. Students who entered the program during a prior semester will find their specific requirements listed in the Catalog under which they entered. Archived Catalogs are accessible through the dropdown menu above.

Program Description


The Early Childhood program is designed to prepare competent and thoughtful professionals for a career in a variety of school settings. Opportunities positions at childcare centers, Pre-Kindergarten, public schools K-2nd grade, Head Start, infant and toddler programs, nursery schools, and in family child day care.

Early Childhood core courses, field experiences, and seminars enable students to think about ways to support the complex needs of today’s families in school and child care settings. Liberal Arts courses expand the students’ understanding and knowledge and help to provide a solid foundation for students who plan to further their educations as well as for those who seek employment in the field upon completion of the program.

Through supervised fieldwork and class seminars, students are supported in translating theory into practice. Cooperating teachers in the field help students to scaffold their understandings, to reflect, to question, and to come to a deeper understanding of the values that underlie their work with children. Students leave the program with a solid philosophy and experiences upon which to reflect and build.

Knowledge of children through observation, description and reflection as well as the most current research in the field are the basis for creating and implementing curriculum that meets the diverse needs of the individuals within the group. Students learn to apply this knowledge to creating environments that support the emotional, social, physical, and intellectual growth of young children.

The Early Childhood curriculum is flexible. Classes are held during the day and evening, providing those who are already working in the field an opportunity to enhance their knowledge and to use job experience for field credit. Classes are held both on the main campus in Valhalla and at extension centers throughout the county.

Program Learning Outcomes


  1. Students will build a philosophy of teaching based on valuing children’s strengths and ways of knowing to guide daily practice and inform curriculum choices.
  2. Students will demonstrate knowledge of how to support each child’s strengths and ways of knowing in Early Childhood settings..
  3. Students will recognize the diverse and complex characteristics of children’s families and communities as a foundation for building relationships with them.

General Education Requirements - 28 Credits


Students are required to fulfill a certain number of credits within the specific categories shown below. Where specific courses are not listed within these categories, courses must be selected from the list of SUNY General Education Courses .

Basic Communication (3 credits)


Humanities (3 credits)


Natural Sciences (4 credits)


Foreign Language (6 credits)


Select TWO courses in the same language:

Degree Requirements - 35 Credits


Minimum Total Credits - 63


Educational Plan: The Educational Plan is an advisement tool that provides important information to students about how to complete this degree. Click here to Download the Educational Plan .

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