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2023-2024 Catalog

Early Care and Education - Inclusive Care

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Associate in Applied Science in Early Care and Education

Inclusive Care

66 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 Inclusive Care career path prepares students to work with children from birth to two years of age as well as children with special needs.  Topics include growth and development, curriculum issues, guidance, exceptionalities and early intervention, creative experiences, safety, health and nutrition, and socialization. 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.
1401 H Street NW, Suite 600
Washington, DC 20005-4101
(800) 424-2460

General Education Core Requirements

ENG 101 English Composition I 3
IDS 109 First Year Experience Seminar 3

REQ HUM Select from Humanities 3
REQ MAT Select from Mathematics/Natural Sciences 3
REQ SSC Select from Behavioral/Social Sciences 3

Total:   15

Major Requirements

ECD 101 Introduction to Early Childhood 3
ECD 102 Growth and Development I 3
ECD 107 Exceptional Children 3
ECD 108 Family and Community Relations 3
ECD 131 Language Arts 3
ECD 132 Creative Experiences 3
or
EDU 205 Play and Early Learning 3
ECD 133 Science and Math Concepts 3
or
ECD 255 Activity Therapy for Early Childhood Special Education 3
ECD 135 Health, Safety and Nutrition 3
ECD 140 Early Childhood Practicum I 2
ECD 200 Curriculum Issues in Infant and Toddler Development 3
or
ECD 260 Methods of Teaching Special Needs Students 3
ECD 201 Principles of Ethics and Leadership in Early Care 3
ECD 203 Growth and Development II 3
ECD 205 Socialization and Group Care of Infants and Toddlers 3
or
ECD 259 Behavior Management for Special Needs 3
ECD 207 Inclusive Care for Infants and Toddlers 3
ECD 243 Supervised Field Experience I 3
ECD 246 Designing Quality Infant and Toddler Environments 3
or
ECD 254 Facilitation and Environmental Management for Early Childhood Special Education 3
EDU 241 Learners and Diversity 4

Total:   51

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.