Education: Early Childhood (Birth to 4th Grade)

The Education: Early Childhood (Birth to 4th Grade) Program develops the knowledge and competence of students interested in teaching or working in related careers with children birth through fourth grade. The Program provides a sound theoretical foundation in principles of child growth and development from the prenatal period through the primary years, as well as a functional understanding of programs and curricula appropriate for young children. Skills emphasized include child observation, curriculum planning for diverse learners, advocacy, and interpersonal and communication abilities.

Upon completion of the Program students receive an Associate in Arts degree and may either enter the workforce or transfer to a baccalaureate program in Education.

Because the curriculum supports the needs of those wishing to pursue a variety of options including transfer, it is highly recommended that students consult Program advisors, catalogs, and transfer worksheets available in the Career and Transfer Center in order to make appropriate course selections.

Graduates of the Program will be prepared to work as childcare practitioners and directors, parent educators, children's recreation staff, teacher assistants and instructional aides. Graduates who wish to become certified teachers will need to transfer to and complete a Pennsylvania Department of Education approved teacher certification program at a four year college or university.

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Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education – est. salary $75,800
Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education – est. salary $71,893
Nanny – est. salary $25,688
Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education – est. salary $37,513*

 

**EMSI Data, 2022; The greater Philadelphia area, PA; a percentage of people in these jobs may have a bachelor's degree or higher.

 



Transfer Opportunities

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Courses and Completion Sequence

The following courses and sequence of courses is designed for the optimal success and completion of the Education — Early Childhood (Birth to 4th Grade) degree/certificate. Any alterations should be discussed with your academic advisor.

Semester 1

Course Number and Name

Credits Advisory Notes Course Type
ENGL 101 - English Composition I or
ENGL 101H - English Composition I (Honors)
3 credits Students taking English 101 and 102 should consider the contextualized education- related version of the English courses.
ENGL 101 is a prerequisite for ENGL 102, ED 204, and ED 214
Writing/Research/Info Lit 1
CIS 103 - Introduction to Information Technology 3 credits   Technological Competency
ED 105 - Foundations of Early Childhood Education 3 credits ED 105 is a prerequisite for ED 204, ED 214, and ED 230.
Students will complete their required clearances, health assessment, and mandated reporter certificate, once approved the students will upload them onto the digital repository, Castle branch. All clearances must be maintained and be current within 12 months.
Major Course
PSYC 101 - Introduction to Psychology or
PSYC 101H - 101H Introduction to Psychology (Honors)
3 credits PSYC 101 is a prerequisite for PSYC 201, ED 204, and ED 214 Cultural Analysis & Interpretation
MATH 151 - Linear Mathematics or  
MATH 123 - Mathematical Principles I
3 credits MATH 123: FNMT 017 or FNMT 019 completed or placement in FNMT 118 or higher
MATH 151 or MATH 152: FNMT 118 with a grade of "C" or better or MATH 161 (or higher) placement
Quantitative Reasoning

Students must earn a grade of "C" or better in all Education (ED) courses.

  • This program is designed for students who plan to transfer to a bachelor’s degree program after earning their associate’s degree
  • Follow this course schedule each semester and you’ll earn your associate’s degree in two years
  • Make sure you discuss your first semester schedule and your educational plan with an advisor or counselor when you register.

Semester 2

Course Number and Name Credits Advisory Notes Course Type
ENGL 102 - The Research Paper or
ENGL 102H - The Research Paper (Honors)
3 credits ENGL 102 is a prerequisite for ED 255. Writing/Research/Info Lit
ED 135 - Family and Community Relationships 3 credits Early Childhood Education Proficiency Certificate requires completion of ED 135, ED 151, and ED 230   Major Course
MATH 161 - Precalculus I    or
MATH 133 - Mathematical Principles II
3 credits   Major Course
PSYC 201 - Child Psychology 3 credits PSYC 201 is a prerequisite for ED 222, ED 245, and ED 250. Major Course
ED 204 - Curriculum and Instruction: Engaging Young Children in the Learning Process    or
ED 214 - Cognition and Learning in the Classroom
3 credits For ED 204, a 10-hour observation in an early childhood education setting/classroom is required. All clearances must be maintained and be current within 12 months.
For ED 214, a 10-hour observation in an education setting/classroom is required.
All clearances must be maintained and be current within 12 months.ED 204 and ED 214 are prerequisites for ED 222, ED 245, ED 250, ED 255, and ED 265
Major Course

Students must earn a grade of "C" or better in all Education (ED) courses.

Semester 3

Course Number and Name Credits Advisory Notes Course Type
ED 222 - Language and Literacy Development in Early Childhood 3 credits ED 222 is a prerequisite for ED 255 and ED 290. Major Course
ED 230 - Integrating the Arts into Early Childhood Education 3 credits Early Childhood Education Proficiency Certificate requires completion of ED 135, ED 151, and ED 230. Major Course
ED 245 - Assessment of Young Children 3 credits For ED 245, a 20-hour observation is required in an early childhood setting/classroom. All clearances must be maintained and be current within 12 months.
ED 245 is a prerequisite for ED 290.
Major Course
BIOL 106 - General Biology I 4 credits   Scientific Reasoning
ED 250 - Infant and Toddler Development and Curriculum 3 credits For ED 250, a 10-hour observation in an infant –toddler early childhood education setting is required. All clearances must be maintained and be current within 12 months.
ED 250 is a prerequisite for ED 290
Major Course

Students must earn a grade of "C" or better in all Education (ED) courses.

Semester 4

Course Number and Name Credits Advisory Notes Course Type
ED 255 - Teaching English Language Learners 3 credits   Major Course
ED 265 - Introduction to Special Education and Inclusive Practices 3 credits For ED 265, a 10-hour observation in an early intervention setting, or an inclusive setting, or a special education classroom is required. All clearances must be maintained and be current within 12 months. Major Course
HIST 101 - United States History: Colonial America through the Revolutionary Era or
HIST 102 - United States History: The Civil War and the 19th Century or
HIST 103 - United States History: The 20th Century and Beyond or
HIST 103H - United States and Pennsylvania History: The 20th Century (Honors) 
3 credits    
ED 290 - Early Childhood Educ Practicum 4 credits For ED 290, a 96-hour pre-student teaching field experience is required in an early childhood setting /classroom. All clearances must be maintained and be current within 12 months. Major Course
ENGL 115 - Public Speaking 3 credits   Oral Communication/Creative Expression

Students must earn a grade of "C" or better in all Education (ED) courses.
Students enrolled in the Early Childhood Education Proficiency Certificate must complete an additional course, ED 151: Health, Safety and Nutrition of Young Children, resulting in 65 credits

  • Congratulations, this is your final semester! Don’t forget to complete your graduation application.
  • Meet with an advisor when registering for your classes
  • Finalize your transfer plans:
  • Take advantage of our scholarship opportunities for transferring students and apply for a scholarship
  • Visit Career Connections to learn about internships and your future career possibilities

General Education Requirements:

All general education requirements necessary for graduation are met through the courses in the program as indicated above. Students who wish to take courses that differ from the general education courses indicated above must complete a course substitution request form. To access the form, login to the MyCCP portal, and in the Student tab, under Electronic Forms, click on the Records and Registration Forms link, then choose Request For Course Substitution Of Graduation Requirement link. A more detailed explanation of the College's general education requirements is also available.

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