1996-1997 catalog
Degrees and Programs
Early Childhood
College of Rural Alaska
Bristol Bay Campus (907) 842-5109
Interior-Aleutians Campus (907) 474-5207
Kuskokwim Campus (907) 543-4500
Tanana Valley Campus (907) 474-5240
Certificate; Degree: A.A.S.
Minimum Requirements for Degree: 60 credits; for Certificate: 30 credits
The A.A.S. degree in early childhood development prepares students to find employment or to improve present job skills in early childhood and child care programs. Positions in child care centers, Head Start programs, early childhood education programs, child welfare service agencies, scouting services, staff training, program licensing, and public school aid programs are some of the numerous potential directions for program graduates. The A.A.S. degree in Early Childhood Development meets standards specified by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and leads to state certification as an Early Childhood Education Associate II.
The Certificate in Early Childhood, available after 30 credits of specific coursework, is pursued by students enrolling in college for the first time as well as those educated in other subject areas desiring retraining to seek employment in this field. Additionally, classes provide knowledge and skill training to assist those pursuing the field--based Child Development Associate Credential (CDA), and/or meet the education and training requirements of the state of Alaska for employment as directors or teachers in licensed centers. Coursework also fulfills minor or concentration requirements for degrees in other disciplines.
Students pursuing a certificate of A.A.S. degree should meet with their campus Early Childhood advisor as soon as possible to discuss their program of studies and specific course approval. Those working towards either the Certificate or A.A.S. may use the Early Childhood required courses by any of the UAF campus sites to meet graduation requirements listed below.
Undergraduate Degree Requirements
Early Childhood A.A.S. Degree
- Complete the following general university and A.A.S. requirements:
ENGL 111X (3)
ENGL 211X or 213X (3)
COMM 131X or 141X (3)
Math at the 100 level or above (3)
Natural science (approved by advisor) (3)
Humanities (approved by advisor) (3)
PSY 101 Introduction to Psychology (3)
SOC 242 The Family, Cross Cultural Perspective (3)
EC 245 Child Development (3) - Complete the following major degree requirements:
EC 100 Introduction to Early Childhood (3)
EC 110 Child Nutrition, Health and Safety
or EC 111 Nutrition (1)
and EC 112 Healthy Environment (1)
and EC 113 Safe Environment (1) (3)
EC 120 Curriculum and Activities for Young Children
or EC 121 Physical Activities for Young Children (1)
and EC 122 Cognitive Activities for Young Children (1)
and EC 123 Communication Activities (1)
and EC 124 Creative Activities for Young Children (1) (4)
EC 130 Culture, Learning and the Young Child
or EC 131 Dev Positive Self-Concepts for Young Children (1)
and EC 132 Positive Home-Center Relationships (1) (2)
EC 140 Classroom Management and Guidance
or EC 141 Guidance and Discipline (1)
and EC 142 Social Development (1)
and EC 143 Learning Environment (1) (3)
**EC 170 Practicum I (1-3)
or EC 171 Program Management (1)
and EC 172 Professionalism (1)
and **EC 170 Practicum I (1) (1-3)
EC 220 Infant and Toddler Care (2)
EC 230 Introduction to the Exceptional Child
or EC 240 Mainstreaming (3)
or EC 231 Screening (1)
and EC 232 Assessment Recording (1)
and EC 233 Mainstreaming Young Children with Special Needs (1) (3)
EC 270 Practicum II (3) - Complete general electives approved by advisor (7 credits)
Degree Total (60 credits)
**Students holding a Child Development Associate Credential (CDA) may enroll in EC 170 Practicum I for 1 credit. All other students must enroll in EC 170 Practicum 1 for 3 credits.
Undergraduate Degree Requirements
Early Childhood Certificate
- Complete the following required courses.
ENGL 111X Methods of Written Communication (3)
PSY 101 Introduction to Psychology (3)
EC 245 Child Development (3)
EC 100 Introduction to Early Childhood Development (3)
EC 110 Child Nutrition, Health and Safety
or EC 111 Nutrition (1)
and EC 112 A Healthy Learning Environment (1)
and EC 113 A Safe Environment (1) (3)
EC 120 Curriculum and Activities for Young Children
or EC 121 Physical Activities for Young Children (1)
and EC 122 Cognitive Activities for Young Children (1)
and EC 123 Communicative Activities for Young Children (1)
and EC 124 Creative Activities for Young Children (1) (4)
EC 130 Culture, Learning and the Young Child
or EC 131 Dev Positive Self-Concepts in Young Children (1)
and EC 132 Positive Home-Center Relationships (1) (2)
EC 140 Classroom Management and Guidance
or EC 141 Guidance and Discipline (1)
and EC 142 Social Development (1)
and EC 143 Learning Environment (1)
EC 170 Practicum I (1-3 credits) or EC 171 Program Management (1)
and EC 172 Professionalism (1)
and *EC 170 Practicum I (1) (3) - Electives as approved by advisor. (Computer skills course recommended.) (3)
Certificate Total (30 credits) - Student must demonstrate a level of competence in math equivalent to DEVM 050. Requirement may be satisfied by math placement exam score above DEVM 050 level or by earning a grade of "B" or above in DEVM 050 class.
*Students holding a Child Development Associate Credential (CDA) may enroll in EC 170 Practicum I for 1 credit. All other students must enroll in EC 170 Practicum 1 for 3 credits.
MINOR in Early Childhood:
A minor in Early Childhood requires the completion of EC 245 or ED 245 ( 3 credits), Child Development, and 15 additional approved Early Childhood (EC) credits for a total of 18 credits of which a minimum of 3 credits must be at the upper division level.