Early Childhood Education, A.A.S.

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Debra Kallaher • (901) 333-5353

earlychildhood@southwest.tn.edu

This program provides a course of study that prepares students for career opportunities in early childhood education and specifically addresses the needs of assistant teachers in Tennessee’s Head Start programs by meeting the educational requirement stipulated in Federal Law. The program offers sufficient theoretical knowledge and practical experience that enable graduates to function in a variety of early childhood settings.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the program, the student will be able to:

Promote child development and learning
Build family/teacher and community connections
Observe, document, and assess support to young children and families
Use developmentally appropriate practices
Using content knowledge to build a meaningful curriculum
Become a professional

First Semester: 15 Credits

Second Semester: 16 Credits

ECED 2320 Infant, Toddler, Child Development
ECED Elective¹
Natural Sciences Course Gen Ed Elective 3
COMM 2025 Fundamentals of Communication (Gen. Ed.)
ENGL 1010 English Composition I (Gen. Ed.)

Third Semester: 12 Credits

Fourth Semester: 18 Credits

ECED 2370 Developmental Assessment
ECED 2365 Final Practicum
Social/Behavioral Sciences Course Gen Ed Elective ³
General Education Elective 4
General Elective⁵
Humanities/Fine Arts Course Gen Ed Elective ³

Electives: 9 Credits

Early Childhood Education (ECED) Guided Electives ¹:

ECED 2050 ECED 2095 ECED 2300 ECED 2312 ECED 2330 ECED 2390

Total Program Credits: 61

This program of study is designed as a terminal degree for a specific career field.

Criminal and/or other types of background checks, possibly at the student’s expense, may be a requirement of some courses in this degree program. The ability to complete cooperative training, internships, field experiences, and educational practicums may be based on the results of these background checks. This could result in your inability to successfully complete course/program requirements.

¹ECED Guided Elective (choose one)

²MATH 1530 or MATH 1630 , consult advisor for correct selection.

³Review General Education pages and/or consult advisor for correct selection.

⁴General Education Elective: Suggested Courses: HIST 2010 Early United States History or HIST 2020 Modern United States History

⁵General Elective can be any college-level course not used in this degree program. Suggested Course: INFS 1010 Computer Applications