The Early Childhood Care and Education associate degree program is a sequence of courses designed to prepare students for careers in childcare and related fields. Learning opportunities develop academic, technical, and professional knowledge and skills required for job acquisition, retention, and advancement. The program emphasizes a combination of early childhood care and education theory and practical application necessary for successful employment. Program graduates receive an Early Childhood Care and Education Associate of Applied Science Degree with a specialization in one of the following areas: Paraprofessional or Program Administration. Satisfactory criminal records check is required for all students prior to participating in any lab setting.
Employment Opportunities
Graduates of the Associate of Applied Science in Early Childhood Care and Education are prepared to work in child care centers as owners or directors, teachers or teaching assistants, family child care home providers, group child care home providers, in Head Start programs, before and after school programs, in public and private school systems as paraprofessionals, in service centers for children/adults with special needs, and as activities specialists with the elderly.
Accreditation/Approval
The Paraprofessional Preparation Program is approved by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission (PSC).
Admissions Criteria
- Submit a completed application and application fee;
- Be at least 16 years of age;
- Submit official high school transcript or GED transcript;
- Submit official college transcripts, if applicable;
- Meet the following assessment requirements:
Early Childhood Care and Education Degree Curriculum
The curriculum for the Early Childhood Care and Education degree program is designed for the semester system. A student may enter the program any semester. To graduate, degree-seeking students must earn a minimum of 72 semester credit hours. The program requires a minimum of 1605 contact hours and generally takes 5 semesters to complete. Graduates must complete one of the following specializations as a part of the program: Paraprofessional Specialization or Program Administration Specialization.
Program Courses
General Education Core (18 Credits)
Area I – Language Arts/Communication (6 Credits)
ENGL 1101: “C” or higher grade is required for this course.
Select one
Area II – Social/Behavioral Sciences (3 Credits)
Area III – Natural Sciences/Mathematics (3 Credits)
Select one
Area IV – Humanities and Fine Arts (3 Credits)
Select one
Program-Specific Requirements (3 Credits)
Occupational Courses (54 Credits)
ECCE 1101, ECCE 1103, ECCE 1105, ECCE 1112, ECCE 2201, ECCE 1121, ECCE 2245 and ECCE 2246: “C” or higher grade is required for all these courses.
Specializations (6 Credits)
Select one pair
Paraprofessional Specialization
| ECCE 2310 | Paraprofessional Methods & Materials | 3 |
| ECCE 2312 | Paraprofessional Roles & Practices | 3 |
Program Administration
Program Costs
Tuition ($100 per credit hour): $7,200
Fees ($370 per semester): $1,850
Books/Supplies:$288 for the 2-year access, (Recommended for all programs). Required for Degree, plus, the cost of core textbooks.
Liability Insurance: $10 per fiscal year
Hepatitis B Series: $265 - Optional
Criminal Background Check: Currently no cost
Course Supply Fees:
- ECCE 1105 Health, Safety and Nutrition: $10
- ECCE 1112 Curriculum & Assessment: $10
- ECCE 1113 Creative Activities for Children: $10
- ECCE 2116 Math & Science: $10
(Costs are estimates and are subject to change.)
Practicum/Internship Education
Number of Practicum Sites: Currently at 15 sites. This number changes as needed.
General Location of the Internship Sites: Bulloch, Evans, Effingham, Bryan, Jenkins, Candler, Screven, and surrounding counties
Special Requirements of the Internship Sites
- Pediatric CPR Certification
- Pediatric First Aid Training
- Students must include documentation of Hepatitis B vaccination. Students who refuse the Hepatitis B vaccination series must sign a declination form. Forms will be provided by the instructor;
- Criminal Background Check: With satisfactory determination letter
Internship Education Courses
The Early Childhood Care and Education program provides students with an opportunity for in-depth application and reinforcement of principles and techniques in childcare and school settings. The Internship allows the student to become involved in a professional work situation applying technical skills.
The practicum course requires that the student spend a minimum of 6 hours a week in a supervised work setting, for a total of 75 hours for the course. The internship courses require that the student spend a minimum of 33 hours per week in a supervised work setting, for a total of 225 hours each. For practicum and internship courses, students are evaluated by the lead teacher/director and an Early Childhood Care and Education faculty member.
Practicum/Internship Assignments
Practicum/internship times will vary depending on the site. Practicum/internship sites are selected by the instructor. Students are responsible for having reliable transportation to the site.