Program Manager: Delaine Welch
Email: dwelch@frederick.edu
Phone: 301.846.2559
Program Description
Prepares students to work in child care centers, Head Start programs, nursery schools, and for self employment as family child care providers or nannies. Program courses fulfill the educational requirements for senior staff, group leader, and director and also meet the Maryland child care credential and state requirements. A grade of “C” or better must be earned in all EDUC and ECED courses.
Program Learning Outcomes
- Identify, apply and discuss major concepts, principles and theories related to child development by completing one or more papers and projects based on observation of children.
- Demonstrate knowledge of developmentally appropriate curriculum and materials for infancy to eight years old through creating and presenting lesson plans.
- Demonstrate characteristics of future teachers by behaving professionally at events and experiences both on and off campus, utilizing college-level skills in course assignments, etc.
- Synthesize their knowledge of the fundamentals and practices of early childhood development through a directed practicum/internship experience.
- Communicate appropriate guidance and behavior modification techniques and theories through case studies and observations.
- Explain, identify and discuss duties of administrators of child care settings through one or more papers and projects.
- Generate resources on appropriate children’s literature based on in-depth review.
- Explain and identify the major theories, historical roots and theorists in the field of early childhood education by completing one or more projects and papers.
- Develop a broader knowledge base by successfully completing coursework in general education courses.
Program Requirements
- Students must complete their credit English and Mathematics within the first 24 credits.
- One course must meet the cultural competence graduation requirement.
- CORE: The General Education CORE is that foundation of the higher education curriculum providing a coherent intellectual experience for all students. Students should check with an advisor or the transfer institution (ARTSYS) before selecting General Education CORE requirements. http://artsys.usmd.edu/
- In some General Education categories (Mathematics, Biological & Physical Sciences), a 4-credit course selected from the GenEd course list will satisfy the requirement in place of a 3-credit course. Students should check with an advisor before selecting these courses.
- For the Physical Education, Health, or Nutrition requirement, a 3-credit PHED, HLTH, or NUTR course may satisfy the requirement in place of a 1-credit course. Students should check with an advisor before selecting this course.
- Students must earn a grade of "C" or better in ENGL 101 English Composition.
- Students must earn a grade of “C” or better in all EDUC and ECED courses in the Early Childhood Development A.A.S. program.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| English | ||
| ENGL 101 | English Composition | 3 |
| Mathematics | ||
| Mathematics Elective (Gen Ed course list) | 3 | |
| Social & Behavioral Sciences | ||
| PSYC 101 | General Psychology | 3 |
| Arts & Humanities | ||
| COMM 105 | Small Group Communication (satisfies cultural competence requirement) | 3 |
| or COMM 102 | Interpersonal Communication | |
| Biological & Physical Sciences | ||
| Biological & Physical Sciences Elective (Gen Ed course list) | 3 | |
| General Education Elective | ||
| General Education Elective (Gen Ed course list) | 3 | |
| General Education Elective (Gen Ed course list) - Recommended course(s) below: | 3 | |
| Health Education | ||
or HLTH 160 | Stress Management | |
| Physical Education, Health, or Nutrition Requirement | ||
| HLTH 150 or HLTH 160 satisfies requirement | ||
| Departmental Requirements | ||
| ECED 105 | Introduction to Early Childhood Education | 3 |
| ECED 125 | Methods and Materials in Early Childhood | 3 |
| ECED 135 | Infants & Toddlers Development and Care (Fall) | 3 |
| ECED 145 | Child Health, Safety and Nutrition (Fall) | 3 |
| ECED 155 | Activities for the School-Age Child (Fall) | 3 |
| ECED 245 | Directed Practicum in Early Childhood | 3 |
| or INTR 103 | Internship | |
| ECED 205 | Administration of Child Development Centers (Spring) | 3 |
| ECED 215 | Understanding and Guiding the Young Child's Behavior (Spring) | 3 |
| Select one of the following courses: 1 | 3 | |
| Language & Literacy Development in Early Childhood (Spring) | ||
| Processes and Acquisition of Reading | ||
| ECED 101 | Child Development & Behavior | 3 |
| Select one of the following courses: | 3 | |
| Early Childhood Special Education | ||
| Foundations of Special Education (satisfies cultural competence requirement) | ||
| Electives | ||
| Select six credit hours in consultation with an advisor or the transfer institution (ARTSYS) | 6 | |
| Total Credits | 60 | |
- 1
Targeted for transfer students.
Transfer Note
For more information on careers and transfer, contact the Career and Academic Planning Services office at 301.846.2471 or visit Transfer Services.
Guided Pathway to Success (GPS)
Suggested schedules map your path to degree completion.
Students should meet with an advisor each semester to carefully select and sequence courses based on their specific academic goals and interests. Visit Jefferson Hall or call 301.846.2471 for advising.
| Recommended First Semester | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| ECED 101 | Child Development & Behavior (Milestone) | 3 |
| ENGL 101 | English Composition 1 | 3 |
| ECED 125 | Methods and Materials in Early Childhood | 3 |
| ECED 135 | Infants & Toddlers Development and Care (Fall) | 3 |
| ECED 155 | Activities for the School-Age Child (Fall) | 3 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Recommended Second Semester | ||
| Mathematics Elective (Gen Ed course list) 1 | 3-4 | |
| ECED 105 | Introduction to Early Childhood Education (Milestone) | 3 |
| ECED 205 | Administration of Child Development Centers (Spring) | 3 |
| ECED 215 | Understanding and Guiding the Young Child's Behavior (Spring) | 3 |
| Physical Education, Health, or Nutrition Requirement (HLTH 160 or HLTH 150 satisfies requirement) | ||
| ECED 225 or EDUC 240 | Language & Literacy Development in Early Childhood (Spring) or Processes and Acquisition of Reading | 3 |
| Credits | 15-16 | |
| Recommended Third Semester | ||
| EDUC 230 or ECED 110 | Foundations of Special Education (Milestone) or Early Childhood Special Education | 3 |
| ECED 145 | Child Health, Safety and Nutrition (Fall) | 3 |
| PSYC 101 | General Psychology | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Directed Practicum in Early Childhood 2 | ||
| Internship | ||
| Choose an elective in consultation with an advisor | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Recommended Fourth Semester | ||
| General Education Elective (Gen Ed course list) | 3 | |
| COMM 105 or COMM 102 | Small Group Communication or Interpersonal Communication | 3 |
| Biological & Physical Sciences Elective (Gen Ed course list) | 3-4 | |
| Choose an elective in consultation with an advisor | 3 | |
| General Education Elective (Gen Ed course list) - Recommended course(s) below: | 3 | |
| Health Education | ||
| Stress Management | ||
| Credits | 15-16 | |
| Total Credits | 60-62 | |
- 1
Take this course within the first 24 credits.
- 2
Prerequisite: EDUC 230 Foundations of Special Education
Part-time Students
Part-time students should complete courses in the order listed on the pathway. Please contact program manager for questions about part-time status.
Students who take fewer than 15 credits each semester or who require developmental English or Math coursework will need additional semesters to complete their degrees. Summer term and January session classes may help students to make faster progress.
Pathway Legend
Milestone - courses with the Milestone notation should be taken within the recommend credit range to stay on track for program completion.
Fall, Spring, Summer - courses with a Fall, Spring, or Summer notation indicate the course is offered in the specified semester only.