2017-2018 Catalog

Early Childhood Educator (ECAS1)

Award: Associate in applied science degree

Program location: Learning Community of North Omaha

This degree prepares students for employment as a head teacher or director in a variety of early childhood education settings in the state of Nebraska.  Learning opportunities are centered on curriculum planning, knowledge of child development (typical and atypical), family and community relationships, positive behavioral support and appropriate behavioral management, observation and assessment, language and literacy, health and nutrition, and environmental planning.  The courses provide a variety of field and clinical experiences to help the student be more prepared for teaching in the classroom.  Practicum courses include requirements for working with infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and school-agers, in addition to the student's age choice for the final student teaching practicum.

Individuals who are considering going into the field of early childhood education should be aware that checks with the Adult and child Abuse Registries are conducted before employment is offered.  Such checks are also done on individuals enrolled in practicum courses.  This practice is consistent with Nebraska state statutes.  Updated Nebraska licensing regulations require students working directly with children to have a current criminal background check.  These two checks must be completed before a student can engage in any field or clinical experience within any ECED program class.

All courses in the Early Childhood Education program require a minimum of four field and/or clinical experience hours within early childhood education settings except for ECED 1220, ECED 1221, ECED 1222, ECED 1240, ECED 1241, and ECED 2090 or ECED 2091.

Graduation Requirements

General education

31.5

Major requirements

75.0

Total credit hours required

106.5

General education requirements (31.5 credit hrs.)

Communications

English level I

4.5

English level II

4.5

Social sciences

PSYC 1120Human Growth and DevelopmentONLINE

4.5

Social sciences

4.5

Quantitative/numeracy skills

Select one course from the following:

MATH 1220Business MathematicsONLINE

4.5

MATH 1310Intermediate AlgebraONLINE

4.5

FINA 1000Financial LiteracyONLINE

4.5

Students planning to transfer to a four-year program should select MATH 1310.

Additional

HMRL 1010Human Relations SkillsONLINEHYBRID

4.5

INFO 1001Information Systems and LiteracyONLINEHYBRID

4.5

Major requirements for Early Childhood Educator (75.0 credit hrs.)

ECED 1050Expressive ArtsONLINE

4.5

ECED 1060Observation, Assessment, and Guidance

4.5

ECED 1110Infant and Toddler DevelopmentONLINE

4.5

ECED 1120Preschool Child DevelopmentONLINE

4.5

ECED 1150Introduction to Early Childhood EducationONLINE

4.5

ECED 1160Early Language and LiteracyONLINE

4.5

ECED 1220Prepracticum

1.5

ECED 1221Infant Practicum

1.5

ECED 1222Toddler Practicum

1.5

ECED 1230School-Age Child Development and ProgrammingONLINE

3.0

ECED 1240Preschool-Age Practicum

1.5

ECED 1241School-Age Practicum

1.5

ECED 1260Children's Health and NutritionONLINE

4.5

ECED 2050Children with ExceptionalitiesONLINE

4.5

ECED 2060Early Childhood Education Curriculum Planning

4.5

ECED 2061Child Guidance Techniques

4.5

ECED 2070Family and Community RelationshipsONLINE

4.5

ECED 2090Early Childhood Student Teaching Practicum

6.0

OR

ECED 2091Early Childhood Administrative Practicum

6.0

ECED 2095Current Topics in Early Childhood EducationONLINE

4.5

ECED 2450Administration of Early Childhood Education ProgramsONLINE

4.5

Students who plan to transfer to a four-year institution need to select from the general education transfer course options and see and maintain regular contact with an ECED faculty advisor.

This program is accredited through the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), which means it was required to meet high standards in the preparation of early childhood education employees.

See Curriculum Plan