Education in the Early Years

Education in the Early Years

  • Degree Type Degree
  • Program outcomesTransferEnter the workforce
  • Area of StudyEducation
  • Total Credit Hours61
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Education in the Early Years

Make a difference in the lives of young children

Montco's Education in the Early Years: Birth through Fourth Grade Associate's degree program prepares you for a career in early childhood education.

With an emphasis on child development beginning at birth, our NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children) accredited program includes both general and professional education courses related to the teaching of children through grade four. During your final semester, gain hands-on experience in the classroom as a student teacher.

Your Associate of Arts is transferable to a four-year college or university and also allows you to teach in such settings as preschool, early intervention, or child care.

Program outcomes
  • Identify typical and atypical milestones in child development;
  • Assess the appropriateness of early literacy opportunities in early childhood environments;
  • Create curricula and environments that are cognitively, physically and social-emotionally appropriate for children’s ages and needs;
  • Communicate effectively with young children, their parents, and peers;
  • Design activities that promote positive school-family-community relationships;
  • Collaborate with teachers to create learning opportunities that meet the needs of all students.
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Accreditation

The Education in the Early Years: Birth through Fourth Grade degree program at Montgomery County Community College has earned Accreditation by the Commission on Early Childhood Higher Education Programs of the National Association for the Education of Young Children, 1401 H St. NW, Suite 600, Washington, DC 20005. (800) 424-2460 ext. 8007. The accreditation term runs from March 2018 until March 2025.

Student Outcome Data (PDF)

Clearances

In order for you to participate in certain education courses and to observe classrooms, tutor students, etc., you will need to have background checks done. So that you have your clearances when classes begin, you should apply early for these screenings.

 

Program Curriculum

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General Education Requirements

Course ID Title Credits
ENG 101 English Composition II,W 3
MAT 103 Foundations of Mathematics IQ 3
HIS 203 or HIS 205 History of U.S. to 1877 or History of U.S. from 1877C 3
PSY 101 Introduction to Psychology 3
CMS 110 or CMS 120 Speech Communication or Public SpeakingI,O 3
Elective*** Aesthetic Sensibility 3
MAT 104 or MAT 106 Foundations of Mathematics II or Mathematics Applications*Q 3
Elective*** Scientific Reasoning 4

Major Requirements

Course ID Title Credits
EDU 100 Introduction to Education**E,I 3
EDU 210 Teaching Young ChildrenT 3
EDU 213 Working with Children with Special Needs 3
EDU 225 Guiding Children's ReadingT 3
EDU 228 Literature in Early Childhood & Elementary Education 3
EDU 233 Early Childhood CurriculumT 3
EDU 240 Teaching English Language LearnersE,T 3
EDU 245 Connecting Families, Schools and Communities 3
EDU 250 Student Teaching**E 6
EDU Elective EDU 121, EDU 226, EDU 227 or EDU-229 3
PSY 200 Child Psychology 3
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Full-time sample course schedule

Semester 1

Course ID Title Credits
EDU 100 Introduction to Education* 3
EDU 213 Working with Children with Special Needs 3
ENG 101 English Composition I 3
HIS 203 or HIS 205 History of the U.S. to 1877 or History of the U.S. from 1877 3
MAT-103A Foundations of Mathematics I 3

Semester 2

Course ID Title Credits
EDU 210 Teaching Young Children 3
EDU 245 Connecting Families, Schools, & Communities 3
PSY 101 Introduction to Psychology 3
MAT 104 or MAT-106A Foundations of Math II or Math Applications** 3
CMS 110 or CMS 120 Introduction to Speech Communication or Public Speaking 3
EDU 228 Literature in Early Childhood & Elementary Education 3

Semester 3

Course ID Title Credits
EDU 225 Guiding Children’s Reading 3
Elective*** Aesthetic Sensibility 3
EDU 240 Teaching English Language Learners 3
PSY 200 Child Psychology  3
Elective*** Scientific Reasoning 4

Semester 4

Course ID Title Credits
EDU 233 Early Childhood Curriculum 3
EDU 250 Student Teaching* 6
EDU Elective EDU 120, EDU 226, EDU 227 or EDU-229 3

Part-time sample course schedule

Semester 1

Course ID Title Credits
EDU 100 Introduction to Education* 3
MAT-103A Foundations of Mathematics I 3

Semester 2

Course ID Title Credits
ENG 101 English Composition I 3
EDU 213 Working with Children with Special Needs 3

Semester 3

Course ID Title Credits
PSY 101 Introduction to Psychology 3
Elective*** Scientific Reasoning 4

Semester 4

Course ID Title Credits
EDU 210 Teaching Young Children 3
EDU 245 Connecting Families, Schools, & Communities 3

Semester 5

Course ID Title Credits
MAT 104 or MAT-106A Foundations of Math II or Math Applications** 3
EDU 228 Literature in Early Childhood & Elementary Education 3

Semester 6

Course ID Title Credits
CMS 110 or CMS 120 Introduction to Speech Communication or Public Speaking 3
PSY 200 Child Psychology  3

Semester 7

Course ID Title Credits
EDU 225 Guiding Children’s Reading 3
EDU 240 Teaching English Language Learners 3
EDU Elective EDU 120, EDU 226, EDU 227 or EDU-229 3

Semester 8

Course ID Title Credits
Elective*** Aesthetic Sensibility 3
HIS 203 or HIS 205 History of the U.S. to 1877 or History of the U.S. from 1877 3

Semester 9

Course ID Title Credits
EDU 233 Early Childhood Curriculum 3
EDU 250 Student Teaching* 6

*Students planning to transfer to Temple University should take MAT 106A to meet its requirements. All other students should take MAT 104.

**Check for required clearances for Education courses. Students must obtain updated clearances and are recommended to become CPR certified before beginning EDU 250.

***Elective should be chosen based on transfer institution.

*See advisor for specific course information/recommendations.

 

Next Steps

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