Diane Cohen, Department Chair

EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION

For More Information or to see an advisor:

Contact: Liberal Arts 483-4511

DEGREE:     Associate of Arts

DIVISION    LIBERAL ARTS/ CITY PARK CAMPUS

                   LIBERAL ARTS AND SCIENCES / WEST BANK CAMPUS

The Early Childhood Education AA degree program is designed to prepare students for the workforce in occupations related to the direct care, education, curriculum development, and/or administration of programs for all young children, birth - 8 years old. Graduates will be prepared and eligible to open their own licensed childcare centers, serve as childcare providers or directors of licensed centers, teach in Head Start, and serve as highly qualified paraprofessionals in the school system.

This program is viewed as a terminal, not a transfer, degree; however, specific courses may transfer to 4-year institutions. Students who wish to transfer to a 4-year college are advised to seek counseling from their college of choice as early as possible to select appropriate courses. Requirements vary depending on the institution. Transfer to a nationally accredited teacher-education program at a 4-year college is required for teacher certification and usually includes need to take PRAXIS exam, a “dispositions for teaching” interview, and a portfolio review.

State-certified Elementary or Secondary teachers may take Delgado Early Childhood courses for an “add-on” teacher certification at the PreK- 3^rd grade level. Students may opt to take these courses at Delgado, before, during, or after completion of a 4- year Elementary or Secondary degree at another institution. Contact Louisiana State Department of Education http://www.teachlouisiana.net

The College offers preparation for the Child Development Associate (CDA) credential and CDA renewal; these courses also offer credit toward the Associate Degree. Students with current CDA certification may opt to take credit exams in place of some course work if they have never registered for those courses, (see catalogue for credit exam information).

REQUIRED COURSEWORK IN MAJOR*

ECED 105 Introduction to Early Childhood Education                                                  3

ECED 111 Observation and Assessment **  or

                  Current CDA (by Credit exam)                                                                   3                                            

ECED 112 Health, Safety and Nutrition or

ECED 115 Guidance and Classroom Management                                                        3                     

ECED 261 Families in the Educational Process                                                              3

ECED 265 Early Childhood Special Education                                                              3

ECED 273 Curriculum and Teaching Materials                                                              3

ECED 298 Practicum in ECED***                                                                               6

  EDUC /ECED Electives                                                                                               6

 Choose one course from each Cluster (as listed below) for a total of 9 hrs:         9         

Cluster A: ARTS: ECED 121 Movement in EC or ECED 135 Dramatic Expression or

ECED131 Music in EC or ECED 141 Art in EC                                                             

Cluster B:  LITERACY: ECED 165 Language and Literacy or

 EDUC 281 Children’s Literature                                                                                              

Cluster C: SCIENCE & MATH: ECED 175 Science in EC or

   ECED 185 Methods for Teaching Math                                                                    

REQUIRED RELATED COURSES

PSYC 127 General Psychology                                                                                    3                                 

PSYC 225 Child Psychology or PSYC 226 Human Growth & Development                 3                                                        

GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS ****

ENGL 101 English Comp I or higher                                                                            3         

ENGL 102 English Comp II                                                                                         3

MATH 118 Algebra for College Students or higher                                                     3

Fine Arts Requirement                                                                                                  3

Humanities Requirement                                                                                                3

Natural Sciences Requirement                                                                                       6            

TOTAL CREDIT HOURS: 66

*   Required grade of “C” or better in major courses

 **   Observation and Assessment course requires a commitment outside of class to observe young children at a school or center.

  ***  Practicum is taken as the final course in the major, usually in the last semester before graduation. Students must apply to Department to determine eligibility for the Practicum  course. Requires commitment of five days each week, working with children at a school or center, for the semester, outside of class.

 ** ** To facilitate transfer to certain colleges, take MATH 123 or higher, Natural Science with a Lab, and check with individual transfer institution for specific transfer requirements, as early as possible.

     See catalogue for approved Fine Arts, Humanities and Natural Sciences

NOTE: See catalogue for graduation requirements