Early Childhood Education

College of Rural and Community Development
Bristol Bay Campus 907-842-5109
Chukchi Campus 907-442-3400
Interior Alaska Campus 907-474-5207
Kuskokwim Campus 907-543-4500
Northwest Campus 907-443-2201
Community and Technical College 907-455-2883
www.ctc.uaf.edu/programs/e-childhood/

Certificate; A.A.S. Degree; Minor

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The certificate program is presently suspended.

Minimum Requirements for Degree: 60 credits

This program prepares students for employment as early childhood and child care providers, and improves the skills of those already employed in the field. Graduates pursue 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 teacher aide programs. This program meets standards specified by the National Association for the Education of Young Children.

This program in early childhood is for students enrolling in college for the first time as well as for those who are educated in other subject areas but desire retraining for employment in this field. Through course work, students gain the knowledge and skills they need to meet state of Alaska requirements for employment as directors or teachers in licensed centers, as well as aids in elementary schools. Course work also fulfills minor or concentration requirements for degrees in other disciplines.

Students entering the A.A.S. degree should meet with an early childhood advisor to discuss a specific course of study. The required early childhood courses offered by any of the UAF campus sites may be used to meet graduation requirements for the degree.

The courses for the A.A.S. degree lay the foundation for the B.A. in child development and family studies.

Major -- A.A.S. Degree

  1. Complete the general university requirements.
  2. Complete the A.A.S. degree requirements. (As part of the A.A.S. degree requirement, complete ECE F117 or any course at the F100 level or above in mathematical sciences for the computation requirement, and ECE F107 for the human relations requirement.)
  3. Complete the following:*
    ECE F101--Introduction to Early Childhood Profession--3 credits
    ECE F104--Child Development I: Prenatal, Infants and Toddlers--3 credits
    ECE F110--Safe, Healthy, Learning Environments--3 credits
    ECE F119--Curriculum I: Principles and Practices--3 credits
    ECE F213--Curriculum II: Thinking, Reasoning and Discovering (3)
          or ECE F214--Curriculum III: Infants and Toddlers (3)--3 credits
    ECE F229--Foundations in Nutrition and Physical Wellness--3 credits
    ECE F140--Positive Social and Emotional Development--3 credits
    ECE F170--Practicum I (3)
          or ECE F115--Responsive and Reflective Teaching (3)
          or ECE F299--Practicum for CDAs (3)--3 credits
    ECE F210--Child Guidance--3 credits
    ECE F235--Screening, Assessment and Recording--2 credits
    ECE F230--Introduction to Children with Special Needs (3)
          or ECE F240--Inclusion of Children with Special Needs (3)--3 credits
    ECE F242--Child and Family Ecology (3)
          or ECE F342--Family Relationships (3)
          or other advisor-approved family class--3 credits
    ECE F270--Practicum II--3 credits
  4. Complete 7 credits as designated by an ECE advisor/coordinator--7 credits
  5. Minimum credits required--60 credits

* Students must earn a C- grade or better in each course.

Minor

  1. Complete the following:
    ECE F101--Introduction to Early Childhood Profession--3 credits
  2. Complete 15 ECE credits, including a minimum of 6 upper-division ECE credits and excluding special topics (ECE F-93) and current issue (ECE F249) courses.--15 credits
  3. Minimum credits required--18 credits