Academics
Early Childhood Education
The mission of the Early Childhood Education Associate in Applied Science Degree is to prepare students for employment in the early childhood education field by educating them in the fundamental concepts, knowledge, and hands-on techniques and skills of early childhood education and preparing them for the Gateways ECE Level 4 Credential.
Degree
Associate in Applied Science (Career Program)
Total Credit Hours: 60
Program Requirements
Select a course number below to see a course description.
Required General Education Courses
| Course | Name | Credit Hours |
| ENGL 110 | COMPOSITION I | 3 |
| COMM 110 | INTRODUCTION TO COMMUNICATION: PRESENTATION AND THEORY | 3 |
| PSY 110 | INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY | 3 |
| MATHEMATICS * | 3 | |
| LABORATORY SCIENCE * | 4 | |
| CHILD 231 | LITERATURE FOR CHILDREN | 3 |
Required Program Courses
| Course | Name | Credit Hours |
| CHILD 110 | INTRODUCTION TO EARLY CHILDHOOD | 3 |
| CHILD 120 | GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE YOUNG CHILD | 3 |
| CHILD 130 | CURRICULUM FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAMS | 3 |
| CHILD 134 | OBSERVATION AND ASSESSMENT OF YOUNG CHILDREN | 3 |
| CHILD 140 | CHILD, FAMILY, AND COMMUNITY | 3 |
| CHILD 142 | HEALTH, SAFETY, AND NUTRITION FOR THE YOUNG CHILD | 3 |
| CHILD 220 | MATH METHODS IN EARLY CHILDHOOD | 3 |
| CHILD 222 | FINE ARTS AND SOCIAL STUDIES IN EARLY CHILDHOOD | 3 |
| CHILD 224 | SCIENCE METHODS FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION | 2 |
| CHILD 225 | GUIDING SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN EARLY CHILDHOOD | 3 |
| CHILD 232 | LANGUAGE AND LITERACY DEVELOPMENT IN EARLY CHIILDHOOD | 3 |
| CHILD 235 | TEACHING DIVERSE POPULATIONS | 3 |
| CHILD 240 | CHILD DEVELOPMENT PRACTICUM I | 3 |
| EDUC 213 | DIVERSE LEARNERS IN THE CLASSROOM | 3 |
* See specific requirements for Associate in Applied Science Degree.
Recommended Course Sequence
| Semester | Courses |
| Fall Semester 1 | CHILD 110; CHILD 120; CHILD 140; ENGL 110; Laboratory Science |
| Spring Semester 1 | CHILD 130; CHILD 134; CHILD 142; PSY 110; COMM 110 |
| Fall Semester 2 | CHILD 220; CHILD 222; CHILD 224; CHILD 225; CHILD 232 |
| Spring Semester 2 | CHILD 231; CHILD 235; CHILD 240; EDUC 213; Mathematics |
Program Contact Information
Business, Legal, and Information Systems Department
Technology Center Room 205
(309) 694-5558
Illinois Career Cluster
Human Services
Career Pathway:
Early Childhood Development and Services