Early Care and Education - School-Age and Youth Development

Associate in Applied Science in Early Care and Education

School-Age and Youth Development Career Path

Credit Requirements: 66 semester credit hours

The Early Care and Education program provides a solid foundation for graduates so that they may use developmentally appropriate, research-based and current knowledge in early care and education to build intentional teaching skills. Students gain quality intentional early learning experiences as well as understanding the responsibility of the professional in the field of early care and education. Students also construct a professional pedagogy that they will be able to use in the classroom with young children. In the process of developing their own pedagogy, students will create a disposition of collaboration that recognizes the diversity of families and the larger community. Off-campus observation and field experiences are provided in diverse settings that allow for quality practical and hands-on experiences. Upon successful completion of the program, each student will have the tools that will make them intentional teachers and caregivers.

The School-Age and Youth Development career path prepares students to work with school-age youth ages five to 17 years, in before- and/or after-school settings as well as faith-based youth development programs and summer camps. This career path does not lead to teacher certification for public school teachers.

Students can earn only one ECD degree in a single career path.

Accreditation

National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Commission on the Accreditation of Early Childhood Higher Education Programs.
1313 L St., N.W., Suite 500
Washington, DC 20005-4101
(800) 424-2460

General Education Core Requirements

ENG 101	English Composition I	3
Lec: 3 Lab: 0 Credit:3 This course is a study of composition in conjunction with appropriate literary selections, with frequent theme assignments to reinforce effective writing. It also reviews standard usage and presents basic research techniques.Learn More Prerequisites RWR 100 with a minimum grade of C or appropriate placement

IDS 109	First Year Experience Seminar	3
Lec: 3 Lab: 0 Credit:3 This course introduces students to interdisciplinary thinking, academic integrity and the philosophy of the liberal arts and sciences education. Students develop skills to be academically successful: connecting to campus resources, improving information literacy and practicing integrative learning.Learn More Prerequisites RWR 100 (or equivalent) with a minimum grade of C or appropriate placement scores.

MAT 110	College Algebra	3
Lec: 3 Lab: 0 Credit:3 This course includes the following topics: polynomial, rational, logarithmic and exponential functions; inequalities; systems of equations and inequalities; matrices; determinants; and solutions of higher degree polynomials.Learn More Prerequisites MAT 102 with a minimum grade of C
or
MAT 120	Probability and Statistics	3
Lec: 3 Lab: 0 Credit:3 This course includes introductory probability and statistics, including organization of data, sample space concepts, random variables, counting problems, binomial and normal distributions, central limit theorem, confidence intervals and test of hypothesis for large and small samples, type I and type II errors, linear regression, and correlation.Learn More Prerequisites MAT 032 or
or
MAT 155	Contemporary Mathematics	3
Lec: 3 Lab: 0 Credit:3 This course includes techniques and applications of the following topics: properties of and operations with real numbers, elementary algebra, consumer mathematics, applied geometry, measurement, graph sketching, interpretations and descriptive statistics.Learn More Prerequisites MAT 032 or MAT 033 or appropriate placement

PSY 201	General Psychology	3
Lec: 3 Lab: 0 Credit:3 This course includes the following topics and concepts in the science of behavior: scientific method, biological basis for behavior, perception, motivation, learning, memory, development, personality and abnormal behavior, therapeutic techniques and social psychology.Learn More Prerequisites RWR 100 with a minimum grade of C

REQ HUM

Select from Humanities

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Major Requirements

ECD 101	Introduction to Early Childhood	3
Lec: 3 Lab: 0 Credit:3 This course gives an overview of growth and development, developmentally appropriate curriculum, positive guidance techniques, regulations, health, safety and nutrition standards. Course content highlights the importance of professionalism, family cultural values and practical applications based on historical and theoretical models in early care and education.Learn More

ECD 102	Growth and Development I	3
Lec: 3 Lab: 0 Credit:3 This course is an extensive study of philosophies and theories of growth and development of infants and toddlers. Focus is on total development of the child, with emphasis on physical, social, emotional, cognitive and nutritional areas. Developmental tasks and appropriate activities are explored in the course.Learn More Prerequisites ECD 101

ECD 105	Guidance-Classroom Management	3
Lec: 3 Lab: 0 Credit:3 This course is an overview of developmentally appropriate, effective guidance and classroom management techniques for the teacher of young children. A positive, proactive approach is stressed.Learn More Prerequisites ECD 101 and RWR 100

ECD 140	Early Childhood Practicum I	2
Lec: 1 Lab: 3 Credit:2 This course includes experiences and opportunities to apply early childhood principles and practices in observing and participating in the care of young children under the supervision of the teacher. Various types of child development facilities are used in the course. (Basic)Learn More Prerequisites ECD 133 or ECD 255 and ECD 132 or EDU 205 and

ECD 203	Growth and Development II	3
Lec: 3 Lab: 0 Credit:3 This course is an in-depth study of preschool children growing and developing in today’s world. Focus is on total development of the child with emphasis on physical, social, emotional, cognitive and nutritional areas of development. Developmental tasks and appropriate activities are explored.Learn More Prerequisites ECD 102

EDU 241	Learners and Diversity	4
Lec: 3 Lab: 3 Credit:4 This course is a study of lifespan development and learning with an emphasis on individual and group diversity. The students are required to participate in a field experience. Within the parameters of an approved articulation agreement, this course may transfer to an accredited education program at a comprehensive four-year college or university.Learn More Prerequisites ECD 203

SAC 101	Best Practices in School-Age and Youth Care Skills	3
Lec: 3 Lab: 0 Credit:3 This course introduces basic best practices of school-age and youth care skills for practitioners in out-of-school care environments.Learn More

SAC 200	Introduction to School-Age and Youth Care	3
Lec: 3 Lab: 0 Credit:3 This course introduces students to current theories and practices relevant to the care of school-age children and youth. Characteristics of the components of quality programs are explored using the nationally recognized program appraisal tool A.S.Q. (Assessing School-Age Child Care Quality).Learn More

SAC 201	Development of the School-Age Child and Youth	3
Lec: 3 Lab: 0 Credit:3 This course examines how to plan for and guide the social and emotional development of school-age children and youth. Students gain the knowledge and skills to interpret and evaluate behavior and to make appropriate decisions needed to work effectively with school-age children.Learn More Prerequisites SAC 101

SAC 202	Administration of School-Age and Youth	3
Lec: 3 Lab: 0 Credit:3 This course is designed to allow students to gain insight into the pragmatic aspects of program administration and supervision. Students will obtain an understanding of the skills needed to maintain, promote and enhance total program development and participate in forums with area program coordinators to discuss current issues related to program administration and supervision.Learn More Prerequisites SAC 101

SAC 203	Designing Model Environments for School-Age Child Care	3
Lec: 3 Lab: 0 Credit:3 This course focuses on the relationship between SAC curriculum and the SAC environment. Students explore curriculum design, standards of quality in the indoor and outdoor environment, as well as how to utilize existing shared indoor space effectively. Field trips are an integral component to the course.Learn More Prerequisites SAC 200

SAC 204	Safety, Health and Nutrition for School-Age Children and Youth	3
Lec: 3 Lab: 0 Credit:3 This course provides an in-depth look into security issues in school-age programs. Students plan nutritional snacks and learn techniques to protect and enhance the health of children.Learn More Prerequisites SAC 101

SAC 205	Guiding Behavior, Violence Prevention and Classroom Management Strategies	3
Lec: 3 Lab: 0 Credit:3 Students learn to recognize patterns of violence, how they develop and how they can be modified and controlled. Students also learn to incorporate positive behavioral skills used in guiding children’s behavior.Learn More Prerequisites SAC 101

SAC 206	Human Relationships for Children, Staff and Families	3
Lec: 3 Lab: 0 Credit:3 This course is a study in the human relationships present in school-age care programs. Focus will be on the examination of the various relationships and how the management of these relationships provides effective tools for developing quality programs.Learn More Prerequisites SAC 101

SAC 207	Science, Technology and Cultural Arts in School-Age and Youth Programs	3
Lec: 3 Lab: 0 Credit:3 This course provides an opportunity for students to learn to incorporate the use of science, technology and arts in planning activities and administering program operations.Learn More

SAC 208	Supervised Field Experience for School-Age and Youth Care	3
Lec: 2 Lab: 3 Credit:3 This course offers students the opportunity to put skills they have learned through the school-age curriculum into practice.Learn More

SAC 209	Introduction to Special Education for School-Age Children and Youth	3
Lec: 3 Lab: 0 Credit:3 This course includes an overview of school-age children and youth with special needs. The course will review the history of the field, basic beliefs, current trends and exceptionality categories emphasizing treatment modalities, community resources, federal legislation and strategies for inclusion.Learn More Prerequisites SAC 101

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Admission Requirements

Admission into this program requires proof of high school graduation (or GED) and qualifying placement levels.

The Early Care and Education associate degree also requires the following additional requirements as prerequisites to labs in licensed child care centers and/or public schools: a health assessment denoting good heath, a negative tuberculosis skin test, compliance with technical standards and a clear criminal background check by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED). In addition to SLED background checks, some child development centers and schools may require fingerprinting. Students entering these laboratory and off-campus observation courses may opt to be fingerprinted. Fingerprinting and a SLED background check are required for the Early Care and Education workforce.