Associate in Arts, Early Childhood Education
Philadelphia, USA
DURATION
4 Semesters
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
01 Jul 2025
EARLIEST START DATE
Aug 2025
TUITION FEES
USD 25,083 / per year
STUDY FORMAT
Distance Learning
Key Summary
Introduction
The Early Childhood Education program of study prepares students to work with young children in a variety of early care and education settings. Graduates will be able to provide high-quality educational environments that are inclusive of all children ages birth to 9. They will gain the necessary knowledge and skills to provide a developmentally appropriate, culturally responsive, and inclusive early learning experience.
At the completion of this degree, students are prepared to enter the early care and education workforce. Opportunities include working in childcare, young school-age childcare, nursery schools, and as teacherโs aides in public schools.
This program of study also serves as a transfer pathway to earn teacher certification, Pre-kindergarten through 4th grade. Students wishing to earn teacher certification must transfer to a 4-year institution to earn a Bachelorโs degree, pre-kindergarten through 4th grade.
All students will be required to have Pennsylvania Child Abuse Clearance, Pennsylvania Criminal Clearance, FBI clearance, and documentation of current immunizations and TB screening. The results of the background clearances could have an impact on the studentโs ability to continue in the degree. There are additional fees to obtaining clearances and students may have to get their clearances renewed.
Start Date
Every semester.
- Fall Semester: Late August
- Spring Semester: Early January
- Summer Semester: Late May
Program Outcome
- Promote child development and learning (NAEYC Standard 1)
- Develop strategies for building family and community relationships (NAEYC Standard 2)
- Observe, document and assess to support young children and families (NAEYC Standard 3)
- Use developmentally effective approaches for teaching and learning. (NAEYC Standard 4)
- Use content knowledge to build a meaningful curriculum. (NAEYC Standard 5)
- Act as an early childhood education professional. (NAEYC Standard 6)
Admissions
Scholarships and Funding
Delaware County Community College's Educational Foundation awards approximately $300,000 in scholarships annually. Each scholarship has its own criteria for eligibility established by the donor. The application period for scholarships each year runs from mid-February to mid-April.
Curriculum
Online
100% online
Early Childhood Education, AA coursework is offered 100% online*
* Some online courses have field requirements or in-person/proctored testing. Online courses with these requirements have additional information posted under the COURSE DESCRIPTION section when you are registering. Please make a note of it during registration.
First Semester
- English Composition I
- Principles of Early Childhood Education
- Developing a Professional Portfolio and Resource File for ECE
- Early Childhood Development
- American History I or American History II
- Interpersonal Communication or Public Speaking
Second Semester
- English Composition II: Writing About Literature
- Integrated Curriculum and Assessment
- Early Childhood Education Laboratory I or Primary Grade Lab and Seminar
- SOC/PSY Elective
- Science Elective: Any transferable Scientific Inquiry designated BIO, CHE, ESS, or PHY course
Third Semester
- Introduction to Special Education
- Infant/Toddler Care and Education
- Methods and Materials for Teaching
- Mathematics for Teachers of Children I
- Children's Literature
Fourth Semester
- Children Families and Community
- Early Childhood Education Laboratory II
- English Language Learners
- Mathematics for Teachers of Children II
- Humanities/BCSS/Laboratory Science Elective (ENG, COMM, DPR, HUM, POL, ART, MUS, DRA, PHI, SOC, SPA, SWO, or Laboratory Science)
English Language Requirements
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