Early Childhood, A.A.S.

Location(s): Main Campus

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HEGIS: 5503

SUNY CODE: 1327

The Early Childhood program is designed to prepare students for a career in teaching young children.

Students who plan to transfer into four-year teacher preparation programs should major in Liberal Arts and Sciences: Childhood Education, not Early Childhood.

The goals of this program are to:

prepare students to interact with young children in a professional, supportive, and developmentally appropriate manner;
prepare students to design and implement a developmentally appropriate curriculum that addresses children’s cognitive, social, emotional and physical needs; and
prepare students to identify a wide variety of diverse cultural norms that impact children’s learning.

Successful graduates from this program will be able to:

interact with young children in professional, supportive and developmentally appropriate manner;
design and implement a developmentally appropriate curriculum that addresses children’s cognitive, social, emotional and physical needs. They will also be able to utilize literary, artistic, and musical components in their lesson and curriculum development; and
identify the diverse cultural differences that children are being raised with and how that impacts their learning. The students will be able to teach to a wide range of learning styles and incorporate developmentally appropriate teaching techniques which incorporate aesthetic awareness of other cultures.

Career Opportunities/Transfer Information

Graduates will be prepared to accept positions ranging from Teacher Assistant (once they pay test fee and pass the NYS Assessment of Teaching Assistant Skills (ATAS) offered through the state) to Teacher in Child Day Care Centers, Preschools, Head Start programs and a variety of other early childhood facilities. Herkimer College has Transfer Articulation Agreements with the following Institutions: SUNY Buffalo State and Utica University.

Program of Study

1st Year

1st Semester

ED 100 - Introduction to Early Childhood Education Credit Hour(s): 3
EN 111 - College Writing Credit Hour(s): 3
FS 100 - First Year Student Seminar Credit Hour(s): 1
HU 110 - Fundamentals of Art in Early Childhood Education Credit Hour(s): 3
OR
HU 113 - Drawing I Credit Hour(s): 3
OR
HU 114 - Painting I Credit Hour(s): 3
OR
HU 120 - Two Dimension Design & Color Credit Hour(s): 3
SS 151 - Introductory Psychology Credit Hour(s): 3
SS 163 - Marriage and Family Credit Hour(s): 3

Subtotal: 16

2nd Semester

ED 200 - Curriculum and Methods in Teaching Early Childhood Education Credit Hour(s): 3
ED 210 - Social Foundations of Education Credit Hour(s): 3
ED 250 - Child Growth & Development Credit Hour(s): 3
EN 112 - College Literature Credit Hour(s): 3
Natural Sciences and Scientific Reasoning Credit Hour(s): 3
OR
Natural Sciences & Scientific Reasoning Lab Science Selective 4 Credit Hour(s): 4

Subtotal: 15-16

2nd Year

3rd Semester

ED 215 - Educating the Exceptional Credit Hour(s): 3
ED 221 - Practicum I - Early Childhood Credit Hour(s): 3
EN 225 - Public Speaking Credit Hour(s): 3
OR
EN 228 - Interpersonal Communication Credit Hour(s): 3
Mathematics and Quantitative Reasoning Selective Credit Hour(s): 3
World Languages Selective Credit Hour(s): 3
Physical Education Activity Credit Hour(s): 1

Subtotal: 16

Math Elective: Must be MA 124 or higher. MA 125 is recommended.

4th Semester

ED 101 - Observation and Assessment in Young Children Credit Hour(s): 3
ED 205 - Infant and Toddler Curriculum Development Credit Hour(s): 3
ED 222 - Practicum II - Early Childhood Credit Hour(s): 3
EN 117 - Literature for Children Credit Hour(s): 3
World Languages Selective Credit Hour(s): 3
Physical Education Activity Credit Hour(s): 1

Subtotal: 16

Degree Requirements:

In order to earn the Associate in Applied Science degree in Early Childhood, students MUST:

Attain a “C” or better in the following courses:

ED 100 - Introduction to Early Childhood Education Credit Hour(s): 3
ED 101 - Observation and Assessment in Young Children Credit Hour(s): 3
ED 200 - Curriculum and Methods in Teaching Early Childhood Education Credit Hour(s): 3
ED 205 - Infant and Toddler Curriculum Development Credit Hour(s): 3
ED 221 - Practicum I - Early Childhood Credit Hour(s): 3

Note:

Demonstrate positive interpersonal skills, professional behavior, ethical behavior and safe and appropriate teaching practices;

Earn a Certificate of Completion for the State Education Department approved workshop entitled “New York State Child Abuse and Maltreatment.”

Practicum Requirements

Required

ED 221 - Practicum I - Early Childhood Credit Hour(s): 3
ED 222 - Practicum II - Early Childhood Credit Hour(s): 3

1. Successful completion with a grade of C or better in the following:

ED 100 - Introduction to Early Childhood Education Credit Hour(s): 3
ED 101 - Observation and Assessment in Young Children Credit Hour(s): 3
ED 200 - Curriculum and Methods in Teaching Early Childhood Education Credit Hour(s): 3
ED 205 - Infant and Toddler Curriculum Development Credit Hour(s): 3

Note:

One of the requirements for the completion of Practicums I & II, is to take either HE 128 - First Aid and CPR: Responding to Emergencies , OR complete the current CPR certification from the American Heart Association.

A physical examination and Mantoux TB Immunization performed within six (6) months of the scheduled practicum starting date.
Written approval (practicum contract) from both the appropriate Early Childhood faculty member and practicum site supervisor PRIOR to the semester in which the practicum will take place.
Students must follow the requirements as outlined in the Early Childhood Practicum Handbook.
Students will be required to meet their own travel needs during all practicum assignments.

Total Credit Hours: 63-64

Students who have previously been convicted of a felony are advised that their prior criminal history may impede their ability to complete the requirements of this program. For more information, visit www.herkimer.edu/felony.

For more information, contact the Academic Division at (315) 866-0300, ext. 8240 or toll free 1-844-GO-4-HERK, ext. 8240.