The Early Childhood Education Transfer Pathway program is designed to prepare students for transfer to an early childhood teacher licensure program.
Early Childhood Education Overview
| Program | Degree | Length of Program | Delivery Method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early Childhood Education | Associate of Science | Two years | Online & on-campus |
Employment
You will be qualified to work as a teacher in childcare facilities or an educational paraprofessional. You may choose to specialize in areas, such as: Infant-toddler, preschool, school-age, children with special needs, family child care, nanny or administration. You will also be qualified to work as a para-educator in a school setting.
Next Steps
All credits earned in the Associate of Science degree at NTC may be applied toward child development education programs at eligible institutions within the Minnesota State System of Colleges and Universities. Transfer options are also available at Mayville State University in North Dakota.
Degree Requirements
Students learn about child development, guidance, professional relationships, nutrition, health & safety, cultural sensitivity, and techniques for promoting learning in young children.
Courses meet Minnesota Department of Human Services educational requirements for teachers and assistant teachers in a child care setting.
| Course # | Course Name | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| ECED 1101 | Health, Wellness, and Nutrition | 3.00 |
| ECED 1104 | Child Growth and Development | 3.00 |
| ECED 1107 | Intro to Early Childhood Education | 3.00 |
| ECED 1111 | Practicum I | 3.00 |
| ECED 1114 | Diverse Children and Family Relations | 3.00 |
| ECED 1116 | Behavior Guidance | 3.00 |
| ECED 1135 | Creative Activities and Environments | 3.00 |
| ECED 1138 | Observing & Assessing | 3.00 |
| ECED 2224 | Introduction to Language and Literacy | 3.00 |
| ECED 2230 | Introduction to Special Education | 3.00 |
| ENGL 1111 | College Writing I | 3.00 |
| ENGL 1113 | College Writing II | 3.00 |
| PSYC 1105 | General Psychology | 3.00 |
| SOCI 1110 | Intro to Sociology | 3.00 |
| SPCH 1110 | Intro to Public Speaking | 3.00 |
| SGNL 1100 | American Sign Language (ASL) I | 4.00 |
| SGNL 2100 | American Sign Language (ASL) II | 4.00 |
| MATH 1930 | Introduction to Mathematical Sciences | 3.00 |
| NSCI 2203 | Environmental Science | 4.00 |
| Total Credits | 60 | |
Program Skills
- Examine and demonstrate an understanding of developmental stages of children, ages prenatal through eight
- Demonstrate knowledge of health, safety and nutrition requirements in child-care programs
- Examine and evaluate early childhood career options
- Establish and maintain supportive collaborative relationships with children, families, professionals and the community
- Communicate effectively with children, families and coworkers
- Create and/or implement developmentally and culturally appropriate learning experiences for children based on age/developmental stage
- Recognize and demonstrate understanding of diverse family situations and identify appropriate resources
- Apply appropriate guidance strategies for children based on knowledge of developmental stages
- Demonstrate knowledge in the care and planning for children with special needs
- Demonstrate understanding of indicator and reporting procedures of abuse and neglect
- Demonstrate appropriate relationships with infants, toddlers, preschoolers and school age children, birth through age eight
- Plan and implement an appropriate program for identified age/developmental level
- Apply observation skills to develop an appropriate assessment
- Demonstrate understanding of underlying causes of and develop appropriate strategies for challenging behaviors
Faculty
Heather Sutherland
Early Childhood Education Faculty
Office: BMD 217
(218) 333-6672
Email: heather.sutherland@ntcmn.edu