Award

Associate in Applied Science Degree in Human Services (with a specialization in Early Childhood Development)

Length

Four-Semester (Two-Year) Program

Purpose

The two year associate degree in Early Childhood Development is designed to give the student a background for employment in a variety of situations in which the care, health, safety, personal conduct, and development of young children are the primary objectives.

Occupational Objectives

Child care workers may be employed in facilities such as:

• Hospital-Based Child Care Programs
• Day Care Centers
• Family Child Care Programs
• Head Start Child Care Centers
• On-Site Programs in Business and Industry
• Pre-School At-Risk Programs
• Pre-Kindergarten Church-Sponsored Programs

Occupational titles may vary according to the workplace and the duties involved.  Among the specialties are the following:

• Assistant Teacher
• Day Care Worker
• Director
• Home-Based Provider
• Lead Teacher
• Master Teacher
• Playroom Attendant
• Teacher's Aide

Admission Requirements

In addition to the requirements for general admission to the college, a personal interview with the program head is highly recommended.

Program Requirements

The Early Childhood program at NRCC combines general education with specialized courses to prepare students to become professional child care workers. General education includes courses such as English composition, psychology, and sociology. Some general education courses in the program may be transferred to a four-year institution should students decide to continue their education beyond the community college program. Students may choose to complete the one-year certificate program which requires 34 credit hours or the two-year associate degree program which requires 67 credit hours. In addition, NRCC offers a 15 credit career studies certificate in Child Development. Both programs include internships which provide actual on-the-job experience in a child care center. It is recommended that at least one internship be in the community. NRCC's Early Learning Center provides a laboratory setting for students in Early Childhood Development to fulfill one of the required internships on campus. Students will be required to go through an oral interview after internship for the college-wide assessment plan. Upon satisfactory completion of the program, the student will receive an Associate in Applied Science Degree with a major in Human Services and a specialization in Early Childhood.

FIRST SEMESTER (Fall)

SECOND SEMESTER (Spring)

THIRD SEMESTER (Fall)

FOURTH SEMESTER (Spring)

NOTES:

1 Internships for Early Childhood Specialization must be approved by the program head.

2 Childhood Development electives: CHD 118, CHD 166, CHD 270, HLT 135.

3 Students may choose from college approved Humanities/Fine Arts electives.