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Early Childhood Care & Education Degree

Early Childhood Care and Education Degree

The Early Childhood Care and Education Degree Program prepares you for careers in early childhood care and related fields. If you enjoy being and working with children, this program offers you the chance to enter the job market with a credential indicating that you have received accredited and professional training.

The curriculum emphasizes a combination of early childhood theory and practical application necessary for successful employment. The program prepares you for employment as a lead teacher, paraprofessional, or program manager in child development centers, pre-K programs, and home- and group-care settings. Learning opportunities develop academic, technical, and professional knowledge and skills required for job acquisition, retention, and advancement.

Career Information and Occupational Outlook:

The links below are to external databases of career and occupational information provided by organizations outside of Columbus Technical College, and will open in new windows.

Program Admission Requirements:

  1. Present official documentation of an earned high school diploma or official GED scores.
  2. Be at least 16 years old.
  3. Present appropriate test scores, or present an official transcript documenting college level English and mathematics with grades of "C" or better.
  4. Apply for a criminal record check, and present official documentation of a TB test.

Curriculum Outline:

General Core Courses (30 Credit Hours)

Course Title Credit Hours
ENG 1101 Composition and Rhetoric 5
ENG 1102 Literature and Composition or  
HUM 1101 Introduction to Humanities 5
MAT 1111 College Algebra 5
PSY 1101 Introductory Psychology 5
SOC 1101 Introduction to Sociology 5
SPC 1101 Public Speaking 5

Fundamental Occupational Courses (27-31 Credit Hours)

Course Title Credit Hours
SCT 100 Introduction to Microcomputers 3
ECE 1010 Introduction to Early Childhood Care and Education 5
ECE 1030 Human Growth and Development I 5
ECE 1050 Health, Safety, and Nutrition 5
ECE 1012 Curriculum Development 3
ECE 1021 Early Childhood Care and Education Practicum I or 3
ECE xxx Program Elective (3-5)
ECE 1022 Early Childhood Care and Education Practicum II or 3
ECE xxx Program Elective (3-5)

Specific Occupational Courses (38 Credit Hours)

Course Title Credit Hours
ECE 1013 Art for Children 3
ECE 1014 Music and Movement 3
ECE 2115 Language Arts and Literature 5
ECE 2116 Math and Science 5
ECE 2010 Exceptionalities 5
ECE 2020 Social Issues and Family Involvement 5
ECE 2240 Early Childhood Care Education Internship 12

(Completion of ONE of the following specializations is required)

SPECIALIZATION I - PARAPROFESSIONAL (15 Credit Hours)

Course Title Credit Hours
ECE 2030 Human Growth and Development II 5
ECE 2110 Methods and Materials 5
ECE 2120 Professional Practices 5

or

SPECIALIZATION II - PROGRAM MANAGEMENT (15 Credit Hours)

Course Title Credit Hours
ECE 2170 Program Administration 5
ECE 2210 Facility Management 5
ECE 2220 Personnel Management 5

The content of this page does not constitute a contract between Columbus Technical College and its students on either a collective or individual basis. Course curriculum, fee changes, or additional unforeseen changes may occur after publication. Course offerings are contingent upon adequate enrollments. Please contact the school offering the program for the most current information. Academic advising is available to students prior to registration; this information is not a substitute for consulting with an academic advisor

Last updated: March 3, 2010.