Degrees and Programs

Early Childhood Education

Minimum Requirements for Certificate: 30 credits;
for Degree: 60 credits

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This program prepares students for employment and improves the skills of those currently employed in early childhood and child care programs. Graduates pursue many opportunities with child care centers, head start programs, early childhood education programs, child welfare service agencies, scouting services, staff training, program licensing and public school aid programs. This program meets standards specified by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and leads to state certification as an Early Childhood Education Associate II.

The certification program in early childhood is for students enrolling in college for the first time as well as those educated in other subject areas desiring retraining to seek employment in this field. Courses provide knowledge and skill training to assist students pursuing the field-based Child Development Associate Credential (CDA) and/or meet the education the training requirements of the state of Alaska for employment as directors or teachers in licensed centers. Coursework also fulfills minor or concentration requirements for degrees in other disciplines.

Students entering either the A.A.S. degree or certificate program should meet with a program advisor to discuss a program of studies and specific course approval. Students working toward either the certificate or degree may use the required early childhood courses offered by any of the UAF campus sites to meet graduation requirements.

A memorandum of agreement between the UAF's College of Rural Alaska and the University of Alaska Southeast provides for the distance delivery of a course of study in early childhood education to obtain an A.A.S. degree via distance delivery. This agreement will ensure that rural students wishing to obtain an associate degree in Early Childhood Education can do so without leaving their communities. Students should contact their advisor for assistance with the selection of appropriate general education courses and approved electives that meet the requirements of their campus for the degree.

Undergraduate Program

1. Complete the certificate requirements.
2. Complete 1 of the following communication courses:

ENGL 111X -- Introduction to Academic Writing (3 credits)

COMM 131X -- Fundamentals of Oral Communication: Group Context (3 credits)

COMM 141X -- Fundamentals of Oral Communication: Public Context (3 credits)

CIOS 116 -- Business Math Using Calculators (3 credits)

Any MATH course at the 100-level or above (3 credits)

ECE 245 -- Child Development (3 credits)

ECE 110 -- Safe, Healthy, Learning Environments (3) or

ECE 112 -- Healthy Learning Environment for Young Children (1)
and ECE 113 -- Safe Environment for Young Children (1)
and ECE 114 -- Learning Environment for Young Children (1) (3 credits)

ECE 120 -- Curriculum and Activities for Young Children (4) or

ECE 121 -- Physical Activities for Young Children (1)
and ECE 122 -- Cognitive Activities for Young Children (1)
and ECE 123 -- Language and Literature Activities for Young Children (1)
and ECE 124 -- Creative Activities for Young Children (1) (4 credits)

ECE 140 -- Positive Social Development (3) or

ECE 141 -- Class Management (1)
and ECE 142 -- Social Development of the Young Child (1)
and ECE 143 -- Developing Positive Self-Concepts in Young Children (1) (3 credits)

ECE 170 -- Practicum I* (3) or

ECE 171 -- Program Management (1)
and ECE 172 -- Professionalism (1)
and ECE 170 -- Practicum I* (1) (3 credits)

ECE 205 -- Overview of Early Childhood Profession (3 credits)

ECE 221 -- Young Child and the Family (1 credit)

ECE electives approved by advisor (4 credits)

Early Childhood Education -- A.A.S. Degree

1. Complete the general university requirements.
2. Complete the A.A.S. degree requirements.
3. Complete the following:*

ECE 110 -- Safe, Healthy, Learning Environments (3) or

ECE 112 -- Healthy Learning Environment for Young Children (1)
and ECE 113 -- Safe Environment for Young Children (1)
and ECE 114 -- Learning Environment for Young Children (1) (3 credits)

ECE 120 -- Curriculum and Activities for Young Children (4) or

ECE 121 -- Physical Activities for Young Children (1)
and ECE 122 -- Cognitive Activities for Young Children (1)
and ECE 123 -- Language and Literature Activities for Young Children (1)
and ECE 124 -- Creative Activities for Young Children (1) (4 credits)

ECE 130 -- Culture, Learning and the Young Child (2 credits)

ECE 140 -- Positive Social Development (3) or

ECE 141 -- Class Management (1)
and ECE 142 -- Social Development of the Young Child (1)
and ECE 143 -- Developing Positive Self-Concepts in Young Children (1) (3 credits)

ECE 170 -- Practicum I** (3) or

ECE 171 -- Program Management (1)
and ECE 172 -- Professionalism (1)
and ECE 170 -- Practicum I** (1) (3 credits)

ECE 205 -- Overview of Early Childhood Profession (3 credits)

ECE 210 -- Child Guidance (3 credits)

ECE 220 -- Infant and Toddler Care (2 credits)

ECE 221 -- Young Child and the Family (1 credit)

ECE 230 -- Introduction to Children with Special Needs (3 credits)

ECE 245 -- Child Development (3 credits)

Electives approved by advisor (15 credits)

** Students holding a Child Development Associate Credential (CDA) may enroll in ECE 170 -- Practicum I for 1 credit. Students without a CDA must enroll for 3 credits.

Minor

ECE 110 -- Safety, Health and Learning Environments (3 credits)

ECE 120 -- Curriculum and Activities for Young Children (4 credits)

ECE 130 -- Culture, Learning and the Young Child (2 credits)

ECE 140 -- Positive Social Development (3 credits)

ECE 245 -- Child Development (3 credits)

Complete 1 upper-division ECE elective (3 credits)