91抖阴

Early Childhood Education

Associate of Applied Science Degree

What is Early Childhood Education?

Early Childhood Educators specialize in the care and education of children birth鈥揳ge eight. Students gain content knowledge about young children鈥檚 development in order to develop the skills and dispositions to work with young children and their families.  Students will learn about child development, demonstrate understanding of developmentally appropriate practices, and implement curricula in field experiences.   91抖阴鈥檚 ECE program is a Gateways-Entitled institution. Graduates of the program are highly sought after by area employers.  Students pursuing work with children birth through age eight may choose to enter the workforce with a credential/degree or transfer to a university upon completion of the AAS degree.  The AAS in ECE transfers in full to all public universities and some private universities. Students will have junior status upon transfer, will not be required to repeat courses or take additional credit hours beyond primary university students.

Upon completion of the AAS.ECE degree, students who choose to transfer to a university have a traditional university option of living on campus or an online option.  Contact the ECE Program Coordinator for more information. 

Program Options

Students can earn the following stackable certificates that build into the AAS degree:

• (18 credit hours)
• (27 credit hours)
  
  (ECE Level 2 + 3 credit hours)
• 
  (ECE Level 3 + 6 credit hours)
• Each of the certificates stack into the AAS degree, which is the
• Director-Qualified Certificate (21 credit hours) 

 Features of the Program

Courses in the Early Childhood Education program are offered with flexibility for all.  Students working in direct service with young children should contact the ECE Program Coordinator so they can set up a plan that best suits their needs.  Several courses are offered in eight-week options.  91抖阴 recognizes students entering with their Child Development Associate, CDA, by waiving six ECE credit hours.  The Early Childhood program has observation hours/field experience hours built into all certificates and degree options. Most students are hired prior to completion of certificate/degree.  The AAS degree in ECE will allow students to enter the workforce or have a seamless transfer to a university.

Affordability

91抖阴 tuition is just one-third to one-fourth the cost of state universities and far below most private institutions. An approximation of tuition and fees and cost comparison can be found on the 91抖阴 website at www.ivcc.edu/payment and at www.ivcc.edu/save.
Many scholarship opportunities are available through the 91抖阴 Foundation at
www.ivcc.edu/foundation and Financial Aid is available for those who qualify at www.ivcc.edu/financialaid. Students may qualify for Gateways Scholarships, Early Childhood Access Consortium for Equity Scholarships, as well as other scholarships.   
High school dual credit courses are available through some in-district high schools.

Transfer and Career Options

• AAS students transfer with junior standing to all public, and some private, universities
• Lead Teacher
• Assistant Teacher
• Director in a Child Care Center
• Family Child Care Provider
• Paraprofessional

Transfer and Application of Skills

 

 

Places where graduates work

• Lead teacher in a child care center
• Assistant teacher
• Paraprofessional in public and private school systems
• Family child care provider
• Early intervention support

 

Things graduates will be expected to do

•  Demonstrate professionalism
• Design and implement developmentally appropriate curricula
• Guide children in culturally responsive ways
• Communicate effectively with families
• Work collaboratively in diverse work settings