PROGRAM DESCRIPTION:
The mission of the Early Childhood Education program is to educate students whose goal is to work or advance in the fields of child care and early childhood education programs as teachers, assistants, and administrators. The program offers a comprehensive curriculum designed to provide professionals with the skills needed to gain a competitive edge when pursuing or advancing in careers in early childhood education and child caregiver organizations. It provides childhood education teachers and professionals with a recognized degree that will prove invaluable when pursing growth and promotion opportunities in administration, management, or areas of specialization.
The Early Childhood Education program provides students with a comprehensive overview and application of the education of young children (from birth through age eight, or third grade) and the information necessary to manage high-quality early childhood education programs.
Additionally, the program promotes the learning and development of children in early care and educational settings, encourages application of the latest knowledge in ECE and child development, and provides opportunities for the placement, advancement, and ongoing professional development of caregivers.
Successful completion of the program will enable graduates to guide age-appropriate child care organizations, early childhood education programs, preschools, kindergartens, elementary schools, and Head Start programs. Graduates will be able to effectively contribute to the growth of a child—socially, emotionally, physically, and intellectually.
The program curriculum also was designed to accommodate individuals seeking the Child Development Associate (CDA) credential. Training requirements for this credential include documented minimum education in the following content areas:
1. Planning a safe and healthy learning environment;
2. Steps to advance children’s physical and intellectual development; 3. Positive ways to support children’s social and emotional development; 4. Strategies to establish productive relationships with families;
5. Strategies to manage an effective program operation; 6. Maintaining a commitment to professionalism;
7. Observing and recording children’s behavior; and 8. Principles of child development and learning. PROGRAM GOALS:
— Professional Behavior/Ethics
Within a legal and ethical framework, apply diverse skills in early childhood educational planning, delivery, and care giving in multiple settings.
— Cultural Competence
Foster educational and developmental policies and procedures that accommodate varying cultural beliefs, and be sensitive to the cultural diversity among children and families that reflects the changing demographics of society.
— Research and Evidence-based practice
Collaborate in discussion activities to generate, utilize, and disseminate knowledge in order to improve early childhood education systems and organizations.
— Leadership/Advocacy
Influence change within the early childhood education professions and improve the educational delivery systems by addressing the social, environmental, and cultural factors, as well as the legal and economic policies that affect early childhood education delivery. Assume roles as leaders and collaborators with other professionals and communities in planning, providing, and evaluating early childhood education for a diverse population.
ANTICIPATED STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES:
— Evaluate the basic theories in early childhood development
— Demonstrate an understanding of contemporary issues in early childhood education — Evaluate methods of assessment, observation, and recording
— Explain the processes inherent in the physical, cognitive, language, social, emotional, and moral developmental domains
— Adjust for diversity as it influences the developmental processes
— Create and demonstrate teaching strategies and techniques in a professional early childhood setting that reflect appropriate practice methodologies
— Apply the studied academic concepts in real-world situations ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Additional information about the CDA credential and the requirements of qualification can be found at the Council for Professional Recognition website: http://www.cdacouncil.org.
Additional information about the Head Start and Early Head Start programs can be found at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services website: http://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/hslc.
Please check with the agency of the state where you intend to teach to confirm the requirements. Depending on your goals for this program, please check your local and state regulatory requirements for program acceptance. This program is not designed as a teacher certification program, and different states and municipalities often have specific requirements concerning appropriate degree programs.
Aspen University also offers a BSECE degree completion program designed to benefit students who have yet to complete an undergraduate business degree, and who now seek to transfer accumulated undergraduate credits or an associate’s degree into an accredited and widely-recognized college degree program. Please contact an admissions representative if you would like further information on this valuable option. ACADEMIC SCHEDULE:
COM100 - Introduction to Communications (3)
ECE103 - Professionalism and Growth in the Early Childhood Field (3) MAT125 - Critical Thinking (3)
ECE102 - Skills for Early Childhood Teachers (3) CMP160 - English Composition I (3)
NPS115 - Introduction to Environmental Science (3) MAT130 - Concepts of Fundamental Mathematics (3) Proctored Exam I
ECE101 - Family, School and Community 93) SBS120 - Diversity and Culture (3)
ECE100 - Safe and Healthful Learning Environment (3) HUM140 - Introduction to Ethics (3)
COM140 - Managing Performance and Developing Teams (3) NPS195 - Study of Physical Science (3)
HUM100 - World of Art (3)
CMP170 - English Composition II (3) ECE108 - Cultural and Linguistic Diversity (3) SBS105 - Introduction to Psychology (3) HUM157 - World History (3)
HUM135 - Literary Studies (3)
ECE109 - Problem Solving in Early Childhood Education (3) Proctored Exam II
ECE200 - History and Philosophies of Education (3) ECE201 - Child Development (3)
ECE301 - Foundations of Early Childhood Education (3) ECE302 - Children with Special Needs (3)
ECE407 - Infant and Toddler Mental Health (3) ECE304 - Curriculum for Young Children (3)
ECE306 - Teaching Strategies in Early Childhood Education (3) ECE307 - Early Childhood Research (3)
ECE303 - Language Development (3) ECE403 - Promoting Literacy in Preschool (3) ECE401 - Guiding Preschool Behavior (3)
ECE402 - Strategies for Classroom Management (3) ECE400 - Play and Learning for the Preschool Child (3) Final Proctored Exam
ECE406 - Quality Programs for Infants and Toddlers (3)
ECE409 - Developmentally Appropriate Practices in Infant and Toddler Settings (3) ECE405 - Developmentally Appropriate Practices in Preschool and School Age Settings (3) ECE410 - Bridging: Assessment in Early Childhood Education (3)
ECE411 - Early Cognition and Education I: The Preschool Years (3) ECE412 - Early Cognition and Education II: The Early Years (3) CAP499 (CAP499-BSECE) - Senior Capstone
SEE COURSE DESCRIPTIONS FOR FURTHER INFORMATION. GAINFUL EMPLOYMENT DISCLOSURE
For more information, please visit http://www.aspen.edu/degrees/bachelors-degree/bachelor-of-science-in- early-childhood-education/requirements.