Early Education & Child Development program fact sheet

Early Education & Child Development (Associate's Degree)  
Early Education & Child Development (Certificate)

ALLEGHENY, BOYCE, NORTH, SOUTH  
Associate of Science (621.5)

This program prepares students for an entry-level position working with infants, children, adolescents and their families in a variety of settings and for transfer to a Pre-K–4 teacher certification program.

Students learn about best practices in direct care and education, diversity when working with children and their families, and techniques for working with children who have special needs. Through classes, weekly field observations, and practicums, students learn about professionalism, human development, health, mental health, infant and child care agencies, family relationships, laws and regulations governing the welfare of children and their families, and community resources available for working with children and their families.

Upon successful completion of the program, the graduate will:

1. Integrate appropriate theories and practices, general and content knowledge, and professional and pedagogical knowledge to create and implement developmentally appropriate experiences for children and their families.
2. Work with children of diverse ages and abilities and their families by participating in supervised practicum experiences in multiple types of inclusive child care and educational environments.
3. Identify core values and ethical behavior standards of the profession by exercising sensitivity, professionalism, confidentiality and competency when interacting with children, families, co-workers, community representatives and policy agents.
4. Find community resources to support families and their children’s development, learning and well-being.
5. Employ appropriate discipline terminology and professional tone in written and oral communication in descriptive and applied observation and documentation strategies to positively influence children’s growth and development.

Students must be eligible for clearances through the Federal Criminal History Record (Act 114), Pennsylvania State Police Criminal History Check (Act 34) and the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare Child Abuse History Record Check (Act 151) and meet local requirements of the field placement site. 

Career opportunities exist in infant/toddler centers, home-family support roles, early childhood programs, nursery schools, pre-school programs, before and after school programs, private and public schools, hospitals, therapeutic day care and residential centers, group homes, community living arrangements, and private homes.

Upon completion of this program, students may seek employment as a child care practitioner or an early childhood educator.

This program is the career and program to program transfer program for Early Education & Child Development.  Students who plan to continue on to a teacher certification program should meet with an advisor or transfer counselor to discuss this educational goal.  Graduates achieving a minimum of 3.0 GPA may choose to earn a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education with Pre-K–4 Teacher Certification. Teacher certification candidates must successfully pass the required PRAXIS exams.

 See the graduation checksheet for this program in printable PDF form.

Degree Requirements

Minimum Credits to Graduate: 60–63

Back to top

Early Education & Child Development

ALLEGHENY, BOYCE, NORTH, SOUTH   
Certificate (622.4)

This program is primarily for students who work with children and/or their families. It provides theoretical and practical information enabling students to develop job skills for working with infants, toddlers, school age children and their families. Students learn the developmental needs of children and developmentally appropriate activities for children of various ages. Students receive the training in the physical, social, emotional and psychological needs of children. Information on children with special needs and the impacts on their families are included in the program along with an emphasis on diversity and the professionalism needed for working with children and their families. Students become aware of the effects of social conditions on the development of children and study the laws and regulations pertaining to children and agencies that work with them.

Upon successful completion of the program, the graduate will:

1. Integrate appropriate theories and practices, general and content knowledge and professional and pedagogical knowledge to create and implement and developmentally appropriate experiences for children and their families.
2. Work with children of diverse ages and abilities and their families by participating in supervised practicum experiences in multiple types of inclusive child care and educational environments.
3. Identify core values and ethical behavior standards of the profession by exercising sensitivity, professionalism, confidentiality and competency when interacting with children, families, co-workers, community representatives and policy agents.
4. Find community resources to support families and their children’s development, learning and well-being.
5. Employ appropriate discipline terminology and professional tone in written and oral communication in descriptive and applied observation and documentation strategies to positively influence children’s growth and development.

Students can complete the certificate before pursuing a degree program. Courses in the program are also helpful for parents.

Students must be eligible for clearances through the Federal Criminal History Record (Act 114), Pennsylvania State Police Criminal History Check (Act 34) and the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare Child Abuse History Record Check (Act 151) and meet local requirements of the field placement site.

Completion of this program enables students to work in child care centers, family day care homes, schools, agencies serving students with special needs or as in-home child care professionals. Graduates may seek employment as a day care assistant, nanny or as a early childhood educational assistant.

See the Checksheet for this program in printable PDF form.

Minimum Credits to Graduate: 30

Certificate Requirements

¹Restricted Electives: