AAS in Early Childhood Education
Northampton Community College
Key Information
Campus location
Bethlehem, USA
Languages
English
Study format
Distance Learning, On-Campus
Duration
4 semesters
Pace
Full time, Part time
Tuition fees
USD 2,535 / per semester *
Application deadline
Request info
Earliest start date
Aug 2024
* Northampton County PA: $2,535 Monroe County PA: $3,990 Other PA County: $5,325 Out of State/Country: $7,410. Additional fees may apply
Scholarships
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Introduction
Northampton Community College's Early Childhood Education degrees and certificates help students understand and positively influence children's learning and development. Teaching young children is a rewarding and inspiring career. Our highly-qualified faculty prepares students to be effective teachers for children aged infant to nine years. Graduates may transfer seamlessly to four-year institutions or immediately enter the early care and education profession. Early Childhood Education students graduate with a strong foundation in child development, inclusionary practices, and arts-inspired learning.
Transfer Information:
This AAS in Early Childhood Education provides a pathway to transfer to a four-year college or university where students can earn a baccalaureate degree. Transfer options and course guides are found in the links below. Students are strongly encouraged to select a transfer destination as soon as possible. Students should consult with their chosen transfer institution regarding recommended courses that will transfer and be applied to their baccalaureate degree program.
- East Stroudsburg University
- Bloomsburg University
- Lock Haven University
- Moravian College
- DeSales University
Admissions
Curriculum
Students studying on campus have access to children's classrooms in our lab schools. Reibman Hall Children's Center and Hannig Family Children's Center serve as state-of-the-art early care and education programs specifically designed to enhance student learning and support direct observation and ongoing field experiences. Students learn to develop a curriculum that is emergent, standard-based, and individualized to meet the unique needs of each child. You will gain hands-on experience in public school and young children's classrooms in your very first education course and later through an internship opportunity. Courses offered in these programs include Infant-Toddler Development and Learning, Observation & Assessment in Early Childhood, and Child, Family and, Community.
NCC's Early Childhood Program is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children. The entire program is available both on the Bethlehem and Monroe Campuses and Online. English Language Learner (ELL) competencies are introduced in three courses and integrated into other Early Childhood courses. Knowledge and skills related to cultural, linguistic, and ability diversity are also embedded in all courses. Observational and supervised field experiences with children from infancy through age nine occur in accredited campus lab schools, work site classrooms and/or approved off-campus locations. As part of the field experience, students taking courses online are required to submit video documentation of their teaching. Students need access to digital video and still cameras. The arts are integrated across all courses as symbol systems used to represent, express, and construct meaning and understanding. The program's conceptual framework, Art as a Way of Learning®, was developed in partnership with Crayola LLC.
Program Entry Requirements
The Pennsylvania Department of Education requires that all students participating in field experiences must provide the documentation listed below:
- FBI PDE Federal Criminal History Record (Act 114)
- FBI DHS Federal Criminal History Record (Act 114)
- PA State Police Criminal Record Check (Act 34)
- PA Child Abuse History Clearance (Act 151)
- National Sex Offender Registry Verification
- Mandated and Permissive Reporting in PA Online Training (Act 31)
- Arrest/Conviction Report and Certification Form (Act 24)
- 2 Letters of Reference
- Health Assessment with TB (Mantoux) test
- Medical Marijuana Policy Form
Note: Students must obtain all background clearances and other documentation in order to do the fieldwork component of each education course – the fieldwork in schools is integral to success in these courses.
First Semester
- COLS101College Success
- MATH118Foundations of Mathematics I
- CMTH102Introduction to Communication
- ENGL101English I
- EARL106Early Childhood Development and Learning
- EARL107Observation & Assessment in Early Childhood
Second Semester
- EARL128Infant-Toddler Development and Learning
- MATH119Foundations of Mathematics II
- SPEC160Introduction to Special Education
- ENGL151LEnglish II
- EARL126Arts in Early Childhood
Third Semester
- SOCA103 Principles of Sociology
or
SOCA102 Cultural Anthropology
or
PSYC103Introduction to Psychology - EARL217Child, Family, and Community
- EARL208Math in Early Childhood
- EARL216Language & Literacy in Early Childhood
- ARTA100 Art & Visual Thinking
or
CMTH110 Introduction to the Theatre
or
MUSC101 Introduction to Music
or
DANC101 Dance History
or
ARTA101Art History Survey
Students transferring to East Stroudsburg University take SOCA102.
Fourth Semester
- BIOS105Contemporary Biology
- EARL218Science in Early Childhood
- EARL244Early Childhood Profession
- EARL263GInternship-Early Childhood
- GEOG101 World Geography
or
HIST113 American History I
or
HIST163American History II
Computer competencies are included in various courses in the program. Thus, completing the program automatically satisfies the computing requirement for this program.
Students must maintain a grade of "C" or better in all Early Childhood Education courses.
One course must be designated Diversity and Global Awareness (D).
EARL263G satisfies the Writing Intensive (WI) requirement for the program.
Program Outcome
- Promoting Child Development and Learning: Students use evidence-based knowledge of child development and learning to understand that each child's learning and development is unique based on cultural, linguistic, and ability diversity as well as other interacting influences to create safe, healthy, respectful, and inclusive learning environments that provide responsive, developmentally appropriate arts-integrated learning opportunities.
- Building Family and Community Relationships: Students use evidence-based knowledge to understand complex and diverse characteristics of families and communities using multiple perspectives to support each child's development and learning through collaborative relationships.
- Observing, Documenting, and Assessing to Support Young Children and Families: Students use evidence-based knowledge about systematic observation and the goals, benefits, and appropriate uses of assessment in partnership with families and other professionals to understand and make decisions about environments, curriculum, and interactions to support each child's development and learning.
- Using Developmentally Effective Approaches: Students use evidence-based knowledge to understand and build positive relationships and supportive interactions as the foundation for their work with children and families. Students apply arts-integrated and developmentally appropriate approaches and Universal Design for Learning to support each child's development and learning.
- Using Content to Build Meaningful Curriculum: Students use evidence-based knowledge of subject areas, Universal Design for Learning, inquiry tools, and resources to design, implement, and evaluate curriculum and experiences to support each child's development and learning.
- Becoming a Professional: Students use evidence-based knowledge of ethical guidelines and professional standards. They engage in continuous, collaborative learning and demonstrate knowledgeable, reflective, and critical perspectives to make informed decisions about advocating for sound practices and policies in early education.
Program Tuition Fee
Career Opportunities
Recognized as a leader in the field for many years, NCC's accredited associate degree program focuses on a proven curriculum and ongoing field-work, allowing students to gain exposure and get excited about their future from the start.
Whether you plan to enter the workforce immediately after graduation or transfer to a four-year school, you will be prepared with the knowledge and skills you need to make a difference. The associate degree transfers smoothly into a baccalaureate-level Pre-K to Grade 4 teacher certification program. Graduates from the program often work as:
Future Career Paths
- Preschool Teacher
- Family Child Care Provider
- Program Director
- Classroom Assistants
- Group Supervisor
- Certified Teacher Pre-K to Grade 4