Skip to Main Content

EDEC - Education Program, Early Childhood Education Option, A.A.

Education

Program Title

Education Program, Early Childhood Education Option, A.A.

Program Code

EDEC

Program Description

This option prepares students for transfer to four-year institutions to pursue preschool through third grade P-3 teaching certification. In addition, many courses prove relevant to the needs of parents and professionals from other fields. Students in this option take courses in education with required field experiences, coupled with general education studies required for successful transfer. Students are introduced to: the variety of early childhood education programs and constructs, inclusion education, teaching the exceptional child, emergent literacies, diversity in early childhood education, play based instruction, and professional opportunities in early childhood education. Students explore early childhood professional opportunities in business and industry. The courses offered in this option need to be taken in consultation with a College counselor.

Graduates of this program will be able to:

- Recognize, analyze and evaluate the roles and characteristics of the successful classroom teacher including:
1. skill in classroom management
2. sensitivity to diversity and special needs of young children
3. use of appropriate teaching and learning strategies in play-based and academic-based settings
4. promotion of integrated literacy
5. mastery of subject matter
6. knowledge of child growth and development as applied to a variety of theoretical and philosophical perspectives
7. appreciation of ongoing professional development
- Demonstrate an understanding of the essential components of teaching and learning processes as they are articulated in diverse early childhood educational settings
- Think critically to analyze and evaluate cultural, societal and historical influences that affect early childhood education today.

Requirements

General Education: 45-48 Credits

As described in the General Education section of the catalog and as identified below:

Career Studies: 3 Credits as Follows:

  • course - Foundations of Early Childhood Education Credits: 3

  • course - Early Childhood Education Field Experience Credits: 0 *

Career Studies: 3 Credits From Among the Following:

  • course - Classroom Techniques Credits: 3

  • course - Introduction to the Exceptional Child Credits: 3

  • course - Literacy Development and Instruction Credits: 3

Career Studies: 6 Credits From Among the Following:

  • course - Human Geography Credits: 3

  • PHIL - Philosophy Course Credits: 3

  • course - Educational Psychology Credits: 3

  • course - Intercultural Communication: The Person and The Process Credits: 3

Electives: 0-3 Credits

Total Credits Required for Degree: 60

Notes:

* Students who have completed EDEC 105 Foundations of Early Childhood Education, with a grade of B or better, are required to complete 60 hours of observation in an approved academic setting to ensure transferability of EDEC 105 to a four-year institution.

EDEC 199 is required for licensing and acceptance into university Education programs. The Education Department at Brookdale highly recommends that the field experience be taken while at Brookdale for students wishing to transfer into Teacher Education programs at the university level and for Teacher licensing requirements.

It is strongly recommended that no more than six Education credits be taken in the first two years for transfer.

Suggested Sequence

The following sequence is an example of how this degree can be completed in two years. This sequence is based on satisfaction of all Foundational Studies requirements and prerequisites and presumes a Fall Term start date. An individual’s program may vary depending on transfer institution, career objectives, or individual needs. See a counselor for other options and to monitor your progress.

Semester 1: Fall Term

  • course - Foundations of Early Childhood Education Credits: 3

  • course - English Composition: The Writing Process Credits: 3

  • course - Introduction to Psychology I: Physical & Sensory Aspects Credits: 3

  • Humanities Credits: 3

  • Mathematics Credits: 3-4 (1)

Total Credits: 15-16

Semester 2: Spring Term

  • course - Early Childhood Education Field Experience Credits: 0

  • Career Studies Credits: 3

  • course - English Composition: Writing and Research Credits: 3

  • course - Human Growth and Development I Credits: 3

  • Humanities Credits: 3

  • Mathematics or Science Credits: 3-4 (1)

Total Credits: 15-16

Semester 3: Fall Term

Total Credits: 16-17

Semester 4: Spring Term

Total Credits: 12-15

Sequence Notes:

(1) A minimum of 12 credits is required from the Mathematics,Science or Technological Competency knowledge areas.