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
Community and Technical College 907-455-2883
www.ctc.uaf.edu/programs/e-childhood/
Certificate; A.A.S. Degree; Minor
Minimum Requirements for Certificate: 31 - 34 credits; for Degree: 60 credits
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
- Complete the general university requirements.
- Complete the following certificate requirements:
- Complete the following communication courses:
ENGL F111X--Introduction to Academic Writing--3 credits - Complete one of the following computation courses:
ECE F117--Math Skills for Early Childhood Educators (3)
or any math course at the F100-level or above--3 credits - Complete the following human relations course:*
ECE F107--Child Development II: The Preschool and Primary Years--3 credits
- Complete the following communication courses:
- Complete the following program (major) requirements:*
ECE F101--Introduction to Early Childhood Profession--3 credits
ECE F104--Child Development I: Prenatal, Infants and Toddlers--3 credits
ECE F110--Safe, Healthy, Learning Environments--3 credits
ECE F119--Curriculum I: Principles and Practices--3 credits
ECE F120--Curriculum II: Thinking, Reasoning and Discovering (3)
or ECE F220--Curriculum III: Infants and Toddlers (3)--3 credits
ECE F129--Foundations for Nutrition and Physical Wellness--3 credits
ECE F132--Young Child and the Family--1 credit
ECE F140--Positive Social Development (3)--3 credits
ECE F170--Practicum I (3)
or ECE F115--Responsive and Reflective Teaching (3)
or ECE F299--Practicum for CDAs (3)--3 credits - Minimum credits required--34 credits
* Students must earn a C grade (2.0) or better in each course.
- Complete the general university requirements.
- Complete the A.A.S. degree requirements. (As part of the A.A.S. degree requirement, complete ECE F117 or any course at the F100-level or above in mathematical sciences for the computation requirement, and ECE F107 for the human relations requirement.)
- Complete the following:*
ECE F101--Introduction to Early Childhood Profession--3 credits
ECE F104--Child Development I: Prenatal, Infants and Toddlers--3 credits
ECE F110--Safe, Healthy, Learning Environments--3 credits
ECE F119--Curriculum I: Principles and Practices--3 credits
ECE F120--Curriculum II: Thinking, Reasoning and Discovering (3)
or ECE F220--Curriculum III: Infants and Toddlers (3)--3 credits
ECE F129--Foundations for Nutrition and Physical Wellness--3 credits
ECE F140--Positive Social and Emotional Development--3 credits
ECE F170--Practicum I (3)
or ECE F115--Responsive and Reflective Teaching (3)
or ECE F299--Practicum for CDAs (3)--3 credits
ECE F210--Child Guidance--3 credits
ECE F235--Screening, Assessment and Recording--2 credits
ECE F230--Introduction to Children with Special Needs (3)
or ECE F240--Inclusion of Children with Special Needs--3 credits
ECE F242--Child and Family Ecology (3)
or ECE F342--Family Relationships (3)
or other advisor approved family class--3 credits
ECE F270--Practicum II--3 credits - Complete 7 credits as designated by an ECE advisor/coordinator--7 credits
- Minimum credits required--60 credits
* Students must earn a C grade (2.0) or better in each course.
- Complete the following:
ECE F101--Introduction to Early Childhood Profession--3 credits - Complete 15 ECE credits, including a minimum of 6 upper-division ECE credits and excluding special topics (ECE X93) and current issue (ECE F249) courses. 15*
- 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.