This program prepares graduates for employment as early childhood preschool teachers, early childhood curriculum coordinators, pre-kindergarten teachers and educational assistants. The curriculum prepares students to work with children from newborn to eight years of age in a group setting. This degree will transfer to Nova Southeastern University's Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Education with a concentration in Child Development or transfer to the B.S. Early Childhood Development and Education, Early Childhood Careers track at the University of Central Florida (UCF).
Students may complete the following college credit certificates as part of the Early Childhood Education degree:
| Major Courses |
|---|
 ARE2000 | Art and Creative Expression This course provides a study of the techniques used in art, music, storytelling and dramatic activities with young children, birth through age eight, with emphasis on interdisciplinary learning. Students plan, implement and evaluate experiences that will contribute to the creative, motor, affective, perceptual, cognitive and aesthetic development of the young child. | 3 |
| EEC1000 | Child Growth and Development This course examines child development from conception to age eight by considering the complex interaction between heredity and environmental factors. Children's physical, social, emotional and cognitive development are discussed as well as the implications for developmentally appropriate practice. It includes the theories of Erikson, Piaget and Vygotsky. Students will be required to observe children in a child care setting (10 hours). | 3 |
| EEC1941 | Early Childhood Practicum This course provides students with the opportunity to observe children, to gain experience in working with children and to discuss what they see and learn with someone qualified to interpret behavior to expose students to current knowledge about child development. This is a capstone course intended for the student to take the final semester. | 3 |
 EEC1601 | Observing and Guiding Children's Behavior This course is designed for the early childhood professional to develop basic knowledge, skills and positive dispositions needed to work in partnership with families and other professionals in order to gather data that documents the developmental progression, individual needs and progress toward learning within the classroom. An understanding of goals, benefits of documentation and other effective assessment strategies will be discussed. Early Childhood students will have the opportunity to broaden their knowledge with regard to appropriate behavior in children as they learn to observe children and interpret play problems. Up to 10 hours of observation in a childcare or VPK center is required. | 3 |
| EEC2200 | Educational Practices in Early Childhood Education This course will explore developmentally appropriate practices for inclusive preschool settings. Participants will develop a framework for planning, implementation, organization and evaluation of activities in content areas such as art, math, science, music, language arts and free play. The course will emphasize high-quality, developmentally appropriate practices aligned with state and national standards and guidelines. Up to 10 hours of observation in a childcare center is required. | 3 |
| EEC2401 | Families and Community In this course guided readings, culturally diverse group activities and visits to a variety of community resource agencies will broaden students' horizons regarding the diverse characteristics that make up a family. Students will explore how a child's development and learning is influenced by the family and the community where they live. The student will design and implement family involvement activities following research-based best practices. Community field experiences are integrated into the course (up to 10 hours). | 3 |
| EEC2702 | Infant Toddler Development This course will serve as a vehicle to deepen student knowledge of infant/toddler development by becoming familiar with play-based curriculum designed to provide caregivers with explicit ideas for creating loving, playful and stimulating experiences for young children from birth through age three. | 3 |
| EEC2732 | Health, Safety and Nutrition for Young Children This course provides a comprehensive overview of the nutrition, health and safety needs of young children. It is designed to give future and current teachers practical and easy-to-understand information that will prepare them to serve diverse young children and their families in the preschool or early elementary school setting. | 3 |
| MUE2010 | Music and Movement This course presents developmentally appropriate music and movement experiences for young children. Students will be involved in singing, creating, listening to and learning about making music and encouraging children to move to music. Students will develop an understanding of the importance music plays in the early childhood curriculum and how to incorporate it into the daily routine to accomplish a variety of curriculum goals. | 3 |
| Choose one: |
| CHD2330 | Early Literacy for Young Children This course describes how children acquire language and literacy and how teachers can design classrooms to promote oral and written language development. The course will stress planning for individual children, including children with special needs and English language learners as well as understanding the importance of the child's family in language and literacy development. Up to 10 hours of field observation is required. | 3 |
| EEC2262 | Curriculum Activities in Early Childhood Upon completion of this course, students will understand how to guide and encourage learning by ensuring that the environment is rich with materials and equipment that invite active exploration. Various curriculum approaches will be reviewed with a concentration in creating lesson plans and activities that are appropriate for children under the age of eight years of age. Students will develop a framework for planning, implementation, organization and evaluation for activities in content areas such as art, math, science, music, language arts and active play. The course will emphasize intentionality in teaching using high-quality, developmentally appropriate practices aligned with state school readiness standards. Up to 10 hours of observation in a group care setting is required. | 3 |
| Support Course |
|---|
| EDF2085 | Introduction to Diversity for Educators Designed for the prospective educator, this course provides the opportunity to explore issues of diversity, including an understanding of the influence of exceptionalities, culture, family, gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, religion, language of origin, ethnicity and age upon the educational experience. Students will explore personal attitudes toward diversity and exceptionalities. Students will be provided information on the Florida Educator Accomplished Practices and Sunshine State Standards. A minimum of 15 hours of field-based experience working with diverse populations of children and youth in schools or similar settings is required. The field experience will not be via virtual modes of film or Internet. | 3 |
| Electives | 15 |
|---|
| Choose 15 credits from the following list: |
| CHD2330 | Early Literacy for Young Children This course describes how children acquire language and literacy and how teachers can design classrooms to promote oral and written language development. The course will stress planning for individual children, including children with special needs and English language learners as well as understanding the importance of the child's family in language and literacy development. Up to 10 hours of field observation is required. | 3 |
| EDF2005 | Introduction to the Teaching Profession This is a survey course that covers the historical, sociological and philosophical foundations of education, governance and finance of education, educational policies, legal, moral and ethical issues and the professionalism of teaching. Students will be provided information on the Florida Educator Accomplished Practices and Sunshine State Standards. Students are required to complete a minimum of 15 hours of field-based experience with children and youth in schools or similar settings and not via virtual modes of film or Internet. | 3 |
| EEC1006 | Montessori Philosophy of Education Students will be introduced to the theory of the Montessori method including evolution; relationship to Piaget, Erikson, Kohlberg, Vygotsky and others; Montessori's definition of sensitive periods of development; the role of teacher as directress, the importance of the prepared environment and the process of normalization will be discussed so that the student will gain an appreciation of the Montessori philosophy and method of teaching. | 3 |
| EEC1011 | Professionalism in Early Childhood Education This course prepares students to collaborate with diverse community partners in the field of early childhood education. Students will gain more understanding of the code of ethical conduct and demonstrate the use of this code through their field experience. Skills in time and priority management will be reinforced. Emphasis is placed on the importance of self-reflection and self-improvement. Students will become more aware of different cultures and abilities needed when communicating with families of different cultures. Portfolios will be developed in this course reflecting the student's work and reflections during the degree or certificate program. Field experience required for the course will range up to 21 hours. | 3 |
| Note: Students entering the A.S. program with a current National Preschool CDA Credential (training by a Department of Education program) will receive three credit hours for course after completing 12 credit hours with Seminole State. Contact the Program Manager for more details. |
| EEC1523 | Child Care Management This course will explore administrative issues relating to leadership in early childhood education: management styles, staff development and supervision including teacher training, staff collegiality, retention and evaluation as well as collaboration with parents and community. This course meets the director credential requirements for the foundational level. | 3 |
| Note: The above course is suggested for students seeking a director's credential for preschool/childcare center or an advanced level director's credential. |
| EEC2262 | Curriculum Activities in Early Childhood Upon completion of this course, students will understand how to guide and encourage learning by ensuring that the environment is rich with materials and equipment that invite active exploration. Various curriculum approaches will be reviewed with a concentration in creating lesson plans and activities that are appropriate for children under the age of eight years of age. Students will develop a framework for planning, implementation, organization and evaluation for activities in content areas such as art, math, science, music, language arts and active play. The course will emphasize intentionality in teaching using high-quality, developmentally appropriate practices aligned with state school readiness standards. Up to 10 hours of observation in a group care setting is required. | 3 |
| EEC2521 | Child Care and Educational Organization Leadership and Management This course is designed to provide current and future child care administrators the opportunity of satisfying one of the educational requirements for the Advanced Level Child Care and Education Administrator Credential as defined by the state of Florida. It is intended to present the needed skills and information in the following areas: organizational structure and dynamics, ethics and professionalism, leadership personnel policies and relationships and the evaluation and retention involved in staff development. | 3 |
| Note: The above course is suggested for students seeking an advanced level director's credential. |
| EEC2527 | Childcare Education Financial and Legal Issues This three-credit course is designed to satisfy one of the educational requirements for the Advanced Level Child Care and the Educational Administrator Credential as defined by the state of Florida. The goal of this course is to develop and enhance skills in legal and financial planning and on-going monitoring, budgeting and accounting; compensation and benefits; facilities and equipment; financial resources and marketing; technology and record-keeping; legal obligations, tax law, insurance and licensure, regulatory requirements and personnel law. | 3 |
| Note: The above course is suggested for students seeking an advanced level director's credential. |
| EEC2930 | Selected Studies in Early Childhood Education This course will serve as a vehicle to either deepen student knowledge of subjects addressed in Early Childhood Education introductory courses or explore issues outside the traditional curriculum. May be repeated for credit. | 3 |
| Note: Students entering the A.S. program with a current National Preschool CDA Credential (training by a Department of Education program) will receive three credit hours for course after completing 12 credit hours with Seminole State. Contact the Program Manager for more details. |
| EEC2946 | Leadership In Early Childhood This course is a 40-hour practicum in which the student will be able to interact with other early childhood professionals in leadership roles. The student will become familiar with community support agencies that are advocates for children and their families. Students will become more familiar with the profession's Code of Ethical Conduct and application of these principles in work life. | 3 |
| EEC2949 | Cooperative Education Internship in Early Childhood Management This course is designed to provide students the opportunity to apply classroom theory to practical, work-related applications. Seminars may be a component of this course and regular contact with the assigned faculty advisor is required. Students may earn cooperative education credits based on the completion of the required work experience and satisfactory completion of assignments including, but not limited to, seminars and a project. This course may be repeated based upon the student’s academic program. | 3 |
| Note: Students entering the A.S. program with a current National Preschool CDA Credential (training by a Department of Education program) will receive three credit hours for course after completing 12 credit hours with Seminole State. Contact the Program Manager for details. |
| EEX2013 | Inclusion and Special Needs in Early Childhood Education This course will focus on children with special needs in early childhood settings. Based on a developmental perspective, course content includes the various areas of exceptionality in terms of causes, characteristics and general intervention, strategies for adapting the learning environment, modifying instruction and making curriculum accessible to all children through inclusion of those with special needs. Attention will be given to state and federal legislation, the referral process, community resources and effective ways to work with families. Note: This course was formerly listed as EEX2010 and is the required course for Early Childhood Education students. This course is not intended for students pursuing K-12. | 3 |
| EME2040 | Introduction to Technology for Educators This course covers the application of instructional design principles for the use of technology to enhance the quality of teaching and learning in the classroom. The course includes hands-on experience with educational media, emerging technologies and hardware, software and peripheral for the personal computer as well as data-driven decision-making processes. Identification of appropriate software for classroom applications, classroom procedures for integrating technologies with emphasis on legal and ethical use and effective instructional strategies for teachers and students in regard to research, analysis and demonstration of technology will be covered. Students will be provided an overview of the Florida Educator Accomplished Practices, Sunshine State Standards and the National Educational Technology Standards. | 3 |
| For Students planning to transfer to UCF's B.S. Early Childhood Careers track, the following courses are suggested for the 15 credit hours of electives: |
| ENC1102 | English II In this course students develop the ability to read literary texts critically, to think logically and creatively and to write and research effectively. Students must pass the core assignments with a grade of "C" or higher. This course partially satisfies the writing requirement of S.B.E. 6A-10.030. | 3 |
| BSC1005 | Concepts of Biology This course is a study of the characteristics of living organisms. Unifying concepts such as metabolism, genetics, evolution and cellular organization will be investigated. Designed for non-science majors, this course does not fulfill the credit requirements for biology majors (see BSC 1010C). | 3 |
| SYG2010 | Social Problems This course is an in-depth analysis into the scope and causes of major problem areas from the perspective of both the individual and the community. Consideration will be given to various possible remedial approaches to each problem area. This course partially satisfies the writing requirement of S.B.E. 6A-10.030. | 3 |
| Mathematics General Education course (choice of MAC 1105, MAC 1114, MAC 1140, MAC 2233, MAC 2311, MGF 1106 or MGF 1107) | 3 |
| Science General Education course (choice of AST 1002, CHM 1020, CHM 1032, CHM 2045C, PHY 1001, PHY 1020, PHY 1053C or PHY 2048C) | 3 |
| General Education Courses |
|---|
| ENC1101 | English I This is a course in the process of expository writing. Students will read essays and compose papers that are unified, organized, logically developed and supported, clearly stated and well-focused. Research techniques are introduced and incorporated into at least one composition. This course partially satisfies the writing requirement of S.B.E. 6A-10.030. Students must pass the core assignments with a grade of "C" or higher. | 3 |
| PSY2012 | General Psychology This is an introductory course which surveys the field of psychology and basic principles and concepts utilized to understand human behavior. The major areas of study include development, learning, perception, motivation, emotions, personality, abnormal behavior, psychotherapy and testing measurements. This course partially satisfies the writing requirement of S.B.E. 6A-10.030. Some sections of PSY2012 have service-learning components. Please refer to class notes in schedule of classes for details. | 3 |
| SPC1608 | Introduction to Oral Communication The purpose of this course is to improve the basic skills of speaking and listening. Class exercises emphasize preparing and delivering public speeches, speaking with clarity and variety and listening with literal and critical comprehension. | 3 |
| Humanities General Education course | 3 |
| Note: Students planning to transfer to UCF must take HUM 2220, HUM 2223 or HUM 2232. |
| Mathematics or Science General Education course | 3 |
| Note: Students planning to transfer to UCF must take STA 2023 Statistical Methods I. |
| Note: If you choose a Science General Education course, due to state law, you must also complete any college preparatory mathematics course(s), if any were required by your entry-level test scores, before you can be awarded an associate degree. |
| Total Credits: | 63 |
|---|
| Note: The course selection includes the four courses that are required for the completion of the College Credit National CDA. They are: EEC 1000, EEC 1011, EEC 1601 and EEC 2200. |
| Note: Students planning to transfer to UCF must earn a grade of "C" (2.0) or higher in each Early Childhood Development and Education course. |
| Note: Associate in Science (A.S.) degrees are designed to prepare graduates for immediate entry into their chosen career field. A.S. degree graduates may transfer into certain baccalaureate programs. Students planning to transfer to baccalaureate programs should consult with Student Affairs counselors, advisors or specialists to make sure required courses are taken and entry requirements are met for the college/university program of their choice. |
