Mar 29, 2024  
Fall 2021 - Summer 2022 Academic Catalog 
    
Fall 2021 - Summer 2022 Academic Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Early Childhood A.A.S.


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School: Business and Professional Careers
Academic Dept: Education
HEGIS: 5503
 

Important Note about Program Requirements

The requirements listed below are for students entering into this program from Fall 2021 to Summer 2022. 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.

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

Program Description


The Early Childhood AAS prepares  students for careers in a variety of school settings. Opportunities include positions in Pre-k through second grade in public schools, Head Start programs, childcare centers (birth through five-year olds), and nursery schools.  The program also provides a solid foundation for those who plan to further their education in baccalaureate programs.  

Early Childhood seminar style classes and supervised Field Experiences help students translate theory into practice. The curriculum is based upon the most current research in the field and is designed to emphasize knowledge of children through observation, description, and reflection.  Course work encourages students to examine effective environments that nurture a sense of social justice, curiosity and discovery in children. This foundation of practice enables students to become reflective teachers who are ready to meet the diverse needs of children and families in today’s society.

Program Learning Outcomes


Upon successful completion of this program, a student will:

  1. Demonstrate the ability to build a philosophy of teaching, based on valuing children’s strengths and ways of knowing, to guide daily practice and inform curriculum choices.
  2. Demonstrate knowledge of how to support each child’s strengths and ways of knowing in early childhood settings.
  3. Demonstrate the ability to recognize the diverse and complex characteristics of children’s families and communities as a foundation for building relationships with them in early childhood settings.
  4. Demonstrate the ability to work effectively in early childhood settings. 
  5. Demonstrate competency and broad foundational knowledge in the general education curriculum as required by Westchester Community College.

Program Map


The academic map below presents the recommended plan of study and will guide you through your program in a timely manner. Click the course abbreviations for full course descriptions. A course may be critical because it is a pre-requisite, requires a minimum grade, or because it is only offered once a year. Missing a critical course may push back your graduation date. Meet with an Academic Counselor or Faculty Advisor to ensure you are on track to complete your program.

Critical Courses should be taken in the order shown to stay on track and graduate on time.

 

 Semester 1

Course
(click for more information)
Critical Course Pre-reqs or Co-reqs Credits Notes
ECE 170     3  
ECE 171     3  
ENG 101   3  
MATH 117     3  
The Arts Gen Ed Elective       3  
Semester Total Credits     15  

Semester 2

Course
(click for more information)
Critical Course Pre-reqs or Co-reqs Credits Notes
ECE 270   4  
ECE 271   3  
ENG 102     3  
HIS 112       3  
Foreign Language Gen Ed Elective       3
Semester Total Credits     16  

Notes:

✹ A student must take two semesters of the same foreign language

Semester 3

Course
(click for more information)
Critical Course Pre-reqs or Co-reqs Credits Notes
ECE 272   3  
ECE 273   3  
PSYCH 101     3  
BIOL 103       4  
Foreign Language Gen Ed Elective       3
Semester Total Credits     16  

Notes:

✹ A student must take two semesters of the same foreign language

Semester 4

Course
(click for more information)
Critical Course Pre-reqs or Co-reqs Credits Notes
ECE 274   3  
ECE 275   3  
ECE 280   3  
SOC 101     3  
MATH 123     3  
Physical Education Elective     1
Semester Total Credits     16  

Notes:

✹ Any 1-credit course with prefix of PE, PEC, PEH, or PES

Minimum Total Credits: 63

Transfer Opportunities


Westchester Community College is committed to facilitating a smooth transfer process to ensure that graduates of the college are prepared to transfer with junior status, and are able to complete a bachelor’s degree within two years of full-time study upon transfer. View 4-year institutions’ transfer agreement information by program here.

Career Opportunities


Visit Career Coach to explore career paths, job descriptions, salary trends, and job trends.

Visit the Career Services page for more career resources.

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