Early Childhood Development, AAS

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PURPOSE: This program prepares student in the care, education, and supervision of young children birth to age eight. The curriculum is designed for persons seeking employment in the early care and education field, or for those persons currently employed who want to update and enhance their skills. Occupational opportunities include administrator, director, assistant director, lead teacher, or assistant teacher in settings such as preschools, child care centers and homes, Head Start and Early Head Start programs, public schools, and before-and after-school programs. The AAS degree is at Level 6 of the Virginia Career Pathways for Early Childhood and Out-of-School Time Practitioners, where Level 3 is a Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential and Level 9 a doctoral degree.

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS AND SPECIAL CONDITIONS: Students must meet JTCC admission requirements. Students may need to complete placement tests in English and mathematics. Visit www.jtcc.edu/placement for all course placement options. If students have deficiencies in English and/or mathematics, JTCC offers developmental and prerequisite courses to prepare students for the curriculum. New students should visit the Advising Center and returning students their faculty advisor for more information.

Text in italics and parentheses indicates approved course substitutions.

Required Courses

SDV 101 - Orientation to Discipline 1 credit (SDV 100 College Success Skills, SDV 101 Orientation to Future Teachers)
CHD 120 - Introduction to Early Childhood Education 3 credits
CHD 145 - Methods and Materials for Teaching Art, Music and Movement to Children 3 credits
CHD 165 - Observation and Participation in Early Childhood/Primary Settings 3 credits ^{1, 2}
CHD 205 - Guiding the Behavior of Children 3 credits
EDU 235 - Health, Safety, and Nutrition Education 3 credits
MILESTONE: Early Childhood Career Studies Certificate (See faculty advisor)
ENG 111 - College Composition I 3 credits
PSY 230 - Developmental Psychology 3 credits
CHD 118 - Language Arts for Young Children 3 credits (Offered Spring only)
CHD 146 - Teaching Math, Science and Social Studies for Children 3 credits (Offered Spring only)
CHD 166 - Infant and Toddler Programs 3 credits (Offered Fall only)
MILESTONE: Early Childhood Development Certificate (See faculty advisor)
BIO 101 - General Biology I 4 credits
ENG 112 - College Composition II 3 credits
ENG 250 - Children’s Literature 3 credits (ENG 241 , ENG 242 )
HIS 121 - United States History I 3 credits (HIS 122 )
MTH 154 - Quantitative Reasoning 3 credits
EDU 200 - Introduction to Teaching as a Profession 3 credits
CHD 216 - Early Childhood Programs, School, and Social Change 3 credits (Offered Spring only)
CHD 210 - Introduction to Exceptional Children 3 credits (Offered Fall only)
CHD 270 - Administration of Early Childhood Programs 3 credits (Offered Spring only)
CHD 265 - Advanced Observation and Participation in Early Childhood/Primary Settings 3 credits (Offered Spring only) ^{1, 2}

Total Minimum Credits to Complete: 62

NOTES:

¹CHD 165 , CHD 265 and EDU 200 are practicum classes that require students to observe young children and participate in approved early childhood settings for 40 hours each. CHD 165 and EDU 200 must be taken before CHD 265 .

²To enroll in CHD 165 , EDU 200 and CHD 265 students must have a declared early childhood major and complete a TB screening, a criminal background check and a sex offender registry check, as a condition of placement in a practicum site. Students are expected to cover all costs for these procedures.

³Courses noted as Fall only or Spring only are based on historical trends and current planning and may change without notice.

⁴Students should regularly meet with their faculty advisor and check their advisement report in MyTyler – SIS.