Early Childhood Education

College of Rural and Community Development
Bristol Bay Campus (907) 842-5109
Chukchi Campus (907) 442-3400
Interior-Aleutians Campus (907) 474-5207
Kuskokwim Campus (907) 543-4500
Northwest Campus (907) 443-2201
Tanana Valley Campus (907) 455-2883
www.tvc.uaf.edu

Certificate; A.A.S. Degree

Minimum Requirements for Certificate: 30 credits;for Degree: 60 credits

Downloadable PDF (PDF 100K)

This program prepares students for employment as early childhood and child care providers and improves the skills of those already employed in the field. Graduates pursue opportunities with child care centers, head start programs, early childhood education programs, child welfare service agencies, scouting services, staff training, program licensing and public school teacher aide programs. This program meets standards specified by the National Association for the Education of Young Children and leads to state certification as an Early Childhood Education Associate II.

The certification program in early childhood is for students enrolling in college for the first time as well as for those who are educated in other subject areas but desire retraining for employment in this field. Through course work, students gain the knowledge and skills they need to pursue the field-based Child Development Associate Credential and to meet state of Alaska requirements for employment as directors or teachers in licensed centers. Course work also fulfills minor or concentration requirements for degrees in other disciplines.

Students entering either the A.A.S. degree or certificate program should meet with an early childhood advisor to discuss a specific course of study. The required early childhood courses offered by any of the UAF campus sites may be used to meet graduation requirements for the certificate or degree.

An agreement between the UAF College of Rural and Community Development and the University of Alaska Southeast allows students in rural locations to take courses in early childhood education and obtain an A.A.S. degree via distance delivery. Students should contact their advisor for assistance with the selection of general education courses and electives that meet the degree requirements of their campus. The courses for the certificate and A.A.S. degree lay the foundation for the B.A. in Child Development and Family Studies.

Certificate Program

1. Complete the general university requirements.
2. Complete the following certificate requirements:
   1. Complete one of the following communication courses:
      ENGL 111X--Introduction to Academic Writing--3 credits
      COMM 131X--Fundamentals of Oral Communication: Group Context--3 credits
      COMM 141X--Fundamentals of Oral Communication: Public Context--3 credits
   2. Complete one of the following computation courses:
      ECE 117--Math Skills for Early Childhood Educators--3 credits
      Any MATH course at the 100-level or above--3 credits
   3. Complete the following human relations course:*
      ECE 245--Child Development--3 credits
3. Complete the following:*
   ECE 101--Introduction to Early Childhood Profession--3 credits
   ECE 111--Nutrition for Young Children--1 credits
   ECE 110--Safe, Healthy, Learning Environments (3)
         or ECE 112--Healthy Learning Environments for--Young Children (1)
         and ECE 113--Safe Environments for Young Children (1)
         and ECE 114--Learning Environments for--Young Children (1)--3 credits
   ECE 120A--Curriculum I (3)
         or ECE 105--Developmentally Appropriate Practice (1)
         and ECE 121--Physical Activities for Young Children (1)
         and ECE 123--Language and Literature Activities for Young--Children (1)--3 credits
   ECE 120B--Curriculum II (3)
         or ECE 122--Cognitive Activities for Young Children (1)
         and ECE 124--Creative Activities for Young Children (1)
         and ECE 125--Math Activities (1)--3 credits
   ECE 132--Young Child and the Family--1 credits
   ECE 140--Positive Social Development (3)
         or ECE 141--Class Management (1)
         and ECE 142--Social Development of the Young Child (1)
         and ECE 143--Developing Positive Self-Concepts in Young Children (1)--3 credits
   ECE 170--Practicum I** (3)
         or ECE 171--Program Management (1)
         and ECE 172--Professionalism (1)
         and ECE 173--Reflective Teaching (1)--3 credits
   Elective credit--1 credits
4. Minimum credits required--30 credits

* Student must earn a C grade or better in each course.
** Students holding a Child Development Associate Credential (CDA) may enroll in ECE 170--Practicum I for 1 credit. Students without a CDA must enroll for 3 credits.

Major--A.A.S. Degree

1. Complete the general university requirements.
2. Complete the A.A.S. degree requirements. (As part of the A.A.S. degree requirement, complete ECE 117 or CIOS 116 or any course at the 100-level or above in mathematical sciences for the computation requirement, and ECE 245* for the human relations requirement.)
3. Complete the following:*
   ECE 101--Introduction to Early Childhood Profession--3 credits
   ECE 111--Nutrition for Young Children--1 credits
   ECE 110--Safe, Healthy, Learning Environments (3)
         or ECE 112--Healthy Learning Environments for Young Children (1)
         and ECE 113--Safe Environments for Young Children (1)
         and ECE 114--Learning Environments for Young Children (1)--3 credits
   ECE 120A--Curriculum I (3)
         or ECE 105--Developmentally Appropriate Practice (1)
         and ECE 121--Physical Activities for Young Children (1)
         and ECE 123--Language and Literature Activities for--Young Children (1)--3 credits
   ECE 120B--Curriculum II--3 credits
         or ECE 122--Cognitive Activities for Young Children (1)
         and ECE 124--Creative Activities for Young Children (1)
         and ECE 125--Math Activities (1)--3 credits
   ECE 130--Culture, Learning and the Young Child--2 credits
   ECE 140--Positive Social Development (3)
         or ECE 141--Class Management (1)
         and ECE 142--Social Development of the Young Child (1)
         and ECE 143--Developing Positive Self-Concepts in Young Children (1)--3 credits
   ECE 170--Practicum I** (3)
         or ECE 171--Program Management (1)
         and ECE 172--Professionalism (1)
         and ECE 173--Reflective Teaching** (1)--3 credits
   ECE 210--Child Guidance--3 credits
   ECE 220--Infant and Toddler Care--3 credits
   ECE 230--Introduction to Children with Special Needs--3 credits
   ECE 240--Inclusion of Children with Special Needs--3 credits
   ECE 270--Practicum II--3 credits
   Complete a 3 credit course on families. Options include HUMS 140, SOC 242, ECE 301, ECE 342 or other advisor approved family course.
   Electives approved by advisor--9 credits
4. Minimum credits required--60 credits

* Student must earn a C grade or better in each course.
** Students holding a Child Development Associate Credential (CDA) may enroll in ECE 170--Practicum I for 1 credit. Students without a CDA must enroll for 3 credits.

Minor

1. Complete the following:
   ECE 101--Introduction to Early Childhood Profession--3 credits
2. Complete 15 ECE credits, including a minimum of 6 upper-division ECE credits.*--15 credits
3. Minimum credits required--18 credits

* Students majoring in the B.A. in Child Development and Family Studies may not use courses in the major to meet the requirements for the minor.