Early Childhood Ed. Degree (ECE)

Associate in Applied Science Degree

This curriculum provides the early childhood education professional with knowledge to care for children in child care centers, home child care, school-age programs, preschools, as well as assist in public schools using developmentally appropriate standards. The field of early childhood covers children, birth through eight years. You must be fingerprinted and have a background clearance to complete ECE 260 and work in child care in Illinois.

Program Outcomes:

  1. Create environments that are healthy, respectful, supportive and challenging for all children, using understanding of child development.
  2. Explain how to engage in respectful, reciprocal relationships that support and empower families.
  3. Identify and utilize formal and informal assessment strategies to positively influence children’s development.
  4. Implement a wide array of effective approaches, strategies, and tools to positively influence children’s development and learning.
  5. Construct lesson plans to provide developmentally appropriate experiences.
  6. Demonstrate ethical guidelines of the early childhood profession to maintain standards of professional conduct.

Requirements

First Semester

ECE 100Early Child Growth & Developme

3

ECE 101Observ & Assessment / Children

3

ECE 105Health & Nutrition for Child

3

ECE 110Intro to Early Childhood Ed

3

General Education Requirements

3

Total Credit Hours:15

Second Semester

ECE 115Family, School & Community

3

ECE 120Language Arts for Children

3

ENG 101Rhetoric I

3

General Education Requirement

4

General Education Requirements

3

Total Credit Hours:16

Third Semester

ECE 125The Exceptional Child

3

ECE 160Curriculum Planning for Children

3

ECE 200Play & Guidance of Children

3

ECE Elective*

3

ECE Elective*

3

General Education Requirements

3

Total Credit Hours:18

Fourth Semester

ECE 260ECE Internship

3

ECE Elective*

3

ECE Elective*

3

ECE General Education Requirement

3

General Education Requirements

3

Total Credit Hours:15

Total Credit Hours: 64

*This Degree will allow the student to apply for one of the following:

Level IV ECE Credential

Level IV Infant/Toddler Credential

Level 1 Illinois Director Credential

These credentials fit into the State of Illinois early childhood career lattice system and the ExcelRate Illinois, creating a seamless framework for professional development and promoting access to varied career opportunities in the early childhood field. To earn this credential, students must follow a prescribed course of study. Students should contact the Early Childhood Education Coordinator for further information about this credential and the courses they need to take in order to earn the credentials in addition to their degree.

*ECE Electives for Level IV ECE Credential

ECE 102

1

ECE 130Educational Technology

1

ECE 202Math for Early Childhood

3

ECE 203Emerging Literacy in Children

3

ECE 207Creative Expression of Children

3

ECE 210Early Childhood Administration

3

ECE 215The First Three Years of Life

3

EDU 100Intro to American Education

3

*Level IV Infant/Toddler Credential

ECE 215The First Three Years of Life

3

ECE 260ECE Internship

3

Note: Must take ECE 215 The First Three Years of Life

*Level I Illinois Director Credential

ECE 210Early Childhood Administration

3

ECE 130Educational Technology

1

SPE 101Principles of Public Speaking

3

ECE 260ECE Internship

3

Note: Must take ECE 210 Early Childhood Administration

Notes: ECE 105 meets the Health and Physical Fitness general education requirement.

Students must complete all ECE courses with a minimum grade of “C”