Early Childhood Education

The Early Childhood Education curriculum prepares individuals to work with children from infancy through kindergarten in diverse learning environments. Students will combine learned theories with practice in actual settings with young children under the supervision of qualified teachers.

Course work includes childhood growth and development; physical/nutritional needs of children; care and guidance of children; and communication skills with parents and children. Students will foster the cognitive/language, physical/motor, social/ emotional and creative development of young children. Graduates are prepared to plan and implement developmentally appropriate programs in early childhood settings.

Degrees, Diplomas, and Certificates Offered

Students must complete all Early Childhood (EDU) courses with a grade of “C” or better to successfully complete the EC Terminal Non-Transfer degree. 
For the two Transfer degrees students must obtain a grade of “C” or better in each course and an overall GPA of at least 2.0 on a 4.0 scale in order to transfer the credit.

First Year
Fall 1st Semester

Course Title Contact Hours Credit Hours Offered Pre/Co-Requisites
EDU 119 Intro to Early Childhood 4 4 F, S, SS None
EDU 131 Child, Family & Community 3 3 F, S None
EDU 144 Child Development I 3 3 F, S None
EDU 146 Child Guidance 3 3 F, S None
*see table below Communication Elective 3 3 F, S, SS Developmental courses may be required
Semester Total 16 16    

Spring 2nd Semester

Course Title Contact Hours Credit Hours Offered Pre/Co-Requisites
EDU 145 Child Development II 3 3 F, S None
EDU 151 Creative Activities 3 3 S None
EDU 153 Health, Safety and Nutrition 3 3 F, S None
EDU 184 Early Childhood Intro Practicum 4 2 S Pre: EDU 119
ENG 111 Writing and Inquiry 3 3 F, S, SS Developmental courses may be required
Semester Total 16 14    

Summer 3rd Semester

Course Title Contact Hours Credit Hours Offered Pre/Co-Requisites
*see pg. 58 for options Humanities/Fine Arts Elective 3 3 F, S, SS Various
Semester Total 3 3    

Second Year

Fall 4th Semester

Course Title Contact Hours Credit Hours Offered Pre/Co-Requisites
EDU 221 Children with Exceptionalities 3 3 F, S Pre: EDU 144, EDU 145
EDU 234 Infants, Toddlers, & Twos 3 3 F, S Pre: EDU 119
EDU 251 Exploration Activities 3 3 F, S None
EDU 280 Language and Literacy Experiences 3 3 F, S None
*see pg. 58 for options Social/Behavioral Science Elective 3 3 F, S, SS Various
Semester Total 15 15    

Spring 5th Semester

Course Title Contact Hours Credit Hours Offered Pre/Co-Requisites
EDU 157 Active Play 4 3 F, S None
EDU 284 Early Child. Capstone Practicum 10 4 F, S Pre: EDU 119, EDU 144, EDU 145, EDU 146, EDU 151; min GPA 2.0
**see table below Major Elective 3-4 3 Various Various
**see table below Major Elective 3-4 3 Various Various
***see table below Math/Science Elective 4-6 3-4 F, S, SS Various
Semester Total 24-28 16-17    

Total Hours 64-65

Elective options for A55220T–Terminal Non-Transfer A.A.S. Degree

Developmental English or Math many be required based on placement test results

*Communication Elective Options
COM 110 Intro to Communication
COM 120 Intro Interpersonal Com
COM 231 Public Speaking
ENG 112 Writing/Research in the Disc
ENG 114 Prof Research & Reporting
ENG 115 Oral Communication
**Major Elective Options
CIS 110 Introduction to Computers
EDU 187 Teaching and Learning for All
EDU 216 Foundations of Education
EDU 235 School Age Develop & Prog
EDU 250 Teacher Licensure Preparation
EDU 261 Early Childhood Admin I
EDU 262 Early Childhood Admin II
EDU 279 Literacy Develop and Instruct
EDU 287 Leadership/Early Child Ed
SOC 210 Introduction to Sociology
SOC 220 Social Problems
SPA 111 Elementary Spanish I
(only one foreign language course may be used as an elective)
***Math/Science Elective Options
BIO 110 Principles of Biology
BIO 111 General Biology I
BIO 140 Environmental Biology
CHM 130 Gen., Org, & Biochemistry
CHM 131 Introduction to Chemistry
GEL 111 Geology
MAT 110 Math Measurement & Literacy
MAT 143 Quantitative Literacy
MAT 152 Statistical Methods I
MAT 171 Precalculus Algebra

The Transfer Licensure AAS degree is an option for those who wish to transfer to a 4-year institution for B-K teaching licensure.

First Year
Fall 1st Semester

Course Title Contact Hours Credit Hours Offered Pre/Co-Requisites
COM 231 Public Speaking 3 3 F, S, SS Developmental courses may be required
EDU 119 Intro to Early Childhood 4 4 F, S, SS None
EDU 131 Child, Family & Community 3 3 F, S None
EDU 144 Child Development I 3 3 F, S None
EDU 146 Child Guidance 3 3 F, S None
Semester Total 16 16    

Spring 2nd Semester

Course Title Contact Hours Credit Hours Offered Pre/Co-Requisites
EDU 145 Child Development II 3 3 F, S None
EDU 151 Creative Activities 3 3 S None
EDU 153 Health, Safety and Nutrition 3 3 F, S None
ENG 111 Writing and Inquiry 3 3 F, S, SS Developmental courses may be required
MAT 143 Quantitative Literacy 4 3 F, S, SS Developmental courses may be required
Semester Total 16 15    

Summer 3rd Semester

Course Title Contact Hours Credit Hours Offered Pre/Co-Requisites
ENG 112

OR

ENG 114

Writing/Research in the Discipline

Prof. Research & Reporting

3

 

3

3

 

3

 

F, S, SS

 

Pre: ENG 111

PSY 150 General Psychology 3 3 F, S, SS Developmental courses may be required
Semester Total 6 6    

Second Year

Fall 4th Semester

Course Title Contact Hours Credit Hours Offered Pre/Co-Requisites
BIO 110

OR

BIO 111

Principles of Biology

 

General Biology

6

 

6

4

 

4

F, S

 

F, S, SS

Developmental courses may be required
EDU 221 Children with Exceptionalities 3 3 F, S Pre: EDU 144, EDU 145
EDU 234 Infants, Toddlers, & Twos 3 3 F, S Pre: EDU 119
EDU 280 Language and Literacy Experiences 3 3 F, S None
*see table below Humanities/Fine Arts Elective 3 3 F, S, SS Various
Semester Total 18 16    

Spring 5th Semester

Course Title Contact Hours Credit Hours Offered Pre/Co-Requisites
EDU 216 Foundations of Education 3 3 S None
 

EDU 250

 

Teacher Licensure Preparation

 

3

 

3

 

S

Co: ENG 111 and MAT 143, MAT 152 or MAT 171

Developmental courses may be required

EDU 284 Early Child. Capstone Practicum 10 4 F, S Pre: EDU 119, EDU 144, EDU 145, EDU 146, EDU 151; min GPA 2.0
**see table below Social/Behavioral Science Elective 3 3 F, S, SS Various
***see table below Natural Science Elective 4-6 4 Various Various
Semester Total 23 17    

Total Hours     79-81          70

Elective options for A55220L–Transfer Licensure A.A.S. Degree

Developmental English or Math many be required based on placement test results

*Humanities/Fine Arts Elective Options
ART 111 Art Appreciation
ART 114 Art History I
ART 115 Art History II
MUS 110 Music Appreciation
MUS 112 Introduction to Jazz
PHI 215 Philosophical Issues
PHI 240 Introduction to Ethics
**Social Behavioral Science Elective Options
ECO 251 Principles of Microeconomics
ECO 252 Principles of Macroeconomics
HIS 111 World Civilizations I
HIS 112 World Civilizations II
HIS 131 American History I
HIS 132 American History II
POL 120 American Government
SOC 210 Introduction to Sociology
***Natural Science Elective
CHM 151  General Chemistry
GEL 111 Geology

Course Number/ Course Title Credit Hours  
ENGLISH  (3 semester hours required)
ENG 111 Writing and Inquiry 3  
ENGLISH TRANSFER SPECIALTY (3 semester hours required)    
ENG 112 Argument-Based Research 3  
ENG 114 Professional Research and Reporting 3  
COMMUNICATION (3 hours required)    
COM 231 Public Speaking 3  
HUMANITIES/ FINE ARTS (3 Semester hours required)    
ART 111 Art Appreciation 3  
ART 114 Art History I 3  
ART 115 Art History II 3  
MUS 110 Music Appreciation 3  
MUS 112 Introduction to Jazz 3  
PHIL 215 Philosophical Issues 3  
PHIL 240 Introduction to Ethics 3  
SOCIAL/ BEHAVIORAL SCIENCE TRANSFER (3 Semester hours required)    
PSY 150 General Psychology 3  
MATHEMATIC TRANSFER (3 Semester hours required)    
MAT 143 Quantitative Literacy 3  
BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES TRANSFER (4 Semester hours required)    
BIO 110 Principles of Biology 4  
BIO 111 General Biology 4  
NATURAL SCIENCE TRANSFER (3-4 Semester hours required)    
GEL 111 Geology 4  
CHM 151 General Chemistry 4  
SOCIAL/BEHAVIORALTRANSFER SPECIALITY (3 Semester hours required)    
ECO 251 Principles of Microeconomics 3  
ECO 252 Principles of Macroeconomics 3  
HIS 111 World Civilizations I 3  
HIS 112 World Civilizations II 3  
HIS 131 American History I 3  
HIS 132 American History II 3  
POL 120 American Government 3  
SOC 210 Introduction to Sociology 3  
MAJOR REQUIREMENTS (35 Semester Hours Required)    
EDU 119 Child Intro to Early Childhood Education 4  
EDU 131 Child, Family, & Community 3  
EDU 146 Child Guidance 3  
EDU 144 Child Development I 3  
EDU 145 Child Development II 3  
EDU 151 Creative Activities 3  
EDU 153 Health, Safety, and Nutrition 3  
EDU 221 Children With Exceptionalities 3  
EDU 234 Infants, Toddlers, and Twos 3  
EDU 280 Language and Literacy Experiences 3  
EDU 284 Early Childhood Capstone Practicum II 4  
TRANSFER SPECIALTY (6 Semester Hours Required)    
EDU 261 Early Childhood Admin I 3  
EDU 262 Early Childhood Admin II 3  
TOTAL HOURS 70  

 

In order to complete the Early Childhood Diploma at Alamance Community College, students must earn 36 credit hours of college credit in the categories listed in the table.  The Early Childhood Diploma can be completed online.

Course Number/ Course Title Credit Hours  
ENGLISH (3 semester hours required)
ENG 111 Writing and Inquiry 3  
COMMUNICATION (3 Semester hours required)    
COM 110 Introduction to Communication 3  
COM 120 Interpersonal Communication 3  
COM 231 Public Speaking 3  
ENG 112 Writing/Research in the Disciplines 3  
ENG 114 Prof Research & Reporting 3  
ENG 115 Oral Communication 3  
Major Elective (3 Semester hours required)    
CIS 110 Introduction to Computers 3  
EDU 235 School Age Development & Program 3  
EDU 261 Early Childhood Admin I 3  
EDU 262 Early Childhood Admin II 3  
SOC 210 Introduction to Sociology 3  
SOC 220 Social Problems 3  
SPA 111 Elementary Spanish I 3  
MAJOR REQUIREMENTS (27 Semester Hours Required)    
EDU 119 Intro to Early Childhood 4  
EDU 131 Child, Family & Community 3  
EDU 144 Child Development I 3  
EDU 145 Child Development II 3  
EDU 146 Child Guidance 3  
EDU 151 Creative Activities 3  
EDU 153 Health, Safety and Nutrition 3  
EDU 184 Early Childhood Intro Practicum 2  
EDU 221 Children with Exceptionalities 3  
TOTAL HOURS 36  

Course Number/ Course Title Credit Hours  
MAJOR REQUIREMENTS    
EDU 119 Intro to Early Childhood 4  
EDU 131 Child, Family & Community 3  
EDU 145 Child Development II 3  
EDU 146 Child Guidance 3  
EDU 153 Health, Safety and Nutrition 3  
TOTAL HOURS 16  

The Infant/Toddler Care Certificate is designed to prepare students for an infant, toddler, or twos teacher position in a licensed child care program

Course Number/ Course Title Credit Hours  
MAJOR REQUIREMENTS    
EDU 119 Intro to Early Childhood 4  
EDU 131 Child, Family & Community 3  
EDU 144 Child Development I 3  
EDU 153 Health, Safety and Nutrition 3  
EDU 234 Infants, Toddlers, and Twos 3  
TOTAL HOURS 16  

The Early Childhood Administration Certificate is designed to prepare students for a level 1, 2 , or 3 administrator position in a licensed child care center, depending on degree and work experience in the field. 

Course Number/ Course Title Credit Hours  
MAJOR REQUIREMENTS    
EDU 119 Intro to Early Childhood 4  
EDU 131 Child, Family & Community 3  
EDU 153 Health, Safety and Nutrition 3  
EDU 261 Early Childhood Admin 1 3  
EDU 262 Early Childhood Admin II 3  
TOTAL HOURS 16  

The School Age Certificate provides a strong foundation for early childhood professionals working with school-age children.    

Course Number/ Course Title Credit Hours  
MAJOR REQUIREMENTS    
EDU 145 Child Development II 3  
EDU 146 Child Guidance 3  
EDU 151 Creative Activities 3  
EDU 157 Active PlaY 3  
EDU 235 School Age Dev & Prog 3  
TOTAL HOURS 15  

Career Options

  • Teachers of Young Children: Center-based and Home-based Programs
  • Public School Teachers and Assistants
  • Child Care Center Administrators
  • Family Specialists
  • Trainers/Instructors

Salary Information

Use the Occupational Outlook Handbook to research employment and career data by field of degree.

Pre-Admission Requirements

Students may be required to take one or more developmental English or math courses prior to the required course(s) depending upon their SAT, ACT, COMPASS or ASSET test scores.

Additional requirements: a current negative tuberculin skin test and a current health questionnaire must be submitted to the department before students may complete any course work involving working with children.

Contact us

For more information, call the Early Childhood department at 336-506-4118.