Early Childhood Care and Education Associate of Applied Science Degree
The Early Childhood Care and Education associate of applied science degree program is a sequence of courses designed to prepare students for a variety of careers in the field of early childhood education. The program emphasizes a combination of early childhood care and education theory and practical application as well as general core competencies necessary for successful employment. Graduates of this program will receive one of two areas of specialization: exceptionalities or paraprofessional.
The program emphasizes a combination of early childhood care and education theory and practical application as well as general core competencies necessary for successful employment. Graduates have qualifications to be employed in early childhood care and education settings including child care centers, Head Start, Georgia Pre-K programs, and elementary school paraprofessional positions. Prior to practicums and internships, students must submit to a GAPS fingerprint check.
Students are accepted into the Early Childhood Care/Education degree program every semester. A full-time student can complete this program in 5 semesters. To graduate, students must earn a minimum of 72 semester credit hours.
Offered at the Following Campuses/Delivery Mode:
- North Campus (Sandersville)
- South Campus (Dublin)
Articulation Agreements
For information on further advancing your education after completing your Associate of Applied Science Degree, see our Articulation (Transfer) Agreements.
Employment Outlook
Career Traits/Requirements
Individuals wanting to enroll in the Early Childhood degree program must be caring, dependable, reliable, flexible, patient, and positive.
Employment Opportunities
Graduates of the Early Childhood Care/Education degree program are prepared for employment as Preschool Teachers, Paraprofessionals, Child Life Specialists, Tutors, Nannies, or Military Preschool Teachers or Preschool Directors. Instruction and practical application of learned skills provide a broad occupational background which appeals to prospective employers.
Program Costs
Tuition & Fees: $8,855.00
Books & Supplies: $3,000.00
Additional Fees
Heartsaver Pediatric First Aid CPR AED: $22.00
Malpractice Insurance: $11.00
Fingerprinting: $47.75
(Costs are estimated and are subject to change.)
Admission Requirements
OFTC may accept a student’s official entrance score on the following validated assessment instruments if the scores meet the required minimums:
- COMPASS/ASSET,
- SAT,
- ACT,
- PSAT,
- PACT,
- Accuplacer/Accuplacer Next Generation/Companion,
- HOPE GPA after completion of 10th grade of 2.6 or higher, or High School GPA of 2.6 (for occupational programs), or 2.0 for Workforce Entry Level programs, or GED.
The College may accept transfer credit for other courses according to the College’s transfer policy.
Curriculum
Area I - Language Arts/Communication
Area II - Social/Behavioral
Area III - Sciences/Mathematics
Choose one of the following:
Area IV - Humanities/Fine Arts
Choose one of the following:
Program-Specific General Education Core Requirements
To meet the minimum required 18 semester credit hours in General Core Courses, students must take an additional 3 semester credit hours.
Occupational Courses
| COLL 1060 | Introduction to College and Computers | 3 | 50 |
| ECCE 1101 | Introduction to Early Childhood Care and Education | 3 | 45 |
| ECCE 1103 | Child Growth and Development | 3 | 45 |
| ECCE 1105 | Health, Safety and Nutrition | 3 | 60 |
| ECCE 1112 | Curriculum and Assessment | 3 | 60 |
| ECCE 1113 | Creative Activities for Children | 3 | 60 |
| ECCE 1121 | Early Childhood Care and Education Practicum | 3 | 105 |
| ECCE 2115 | Language and Literacy | 3 | 60 |
| ECCE 2116 | Math and Science | 3 | 60 |
| ECCE 2201 | Exceptionalities | 3 | 45 |
| ECCE 2202 | Social Issues and Family Involvement | 3 | 45 |
| ECCE 2203 | Guidance and Classroom Management | 3 | 45 |
| ECCE 2245 | Early Childhood Care and Education Internship I | 6 | 270 |
| ECCE 2246 | Early Childhood Care and Education Internship II | 6 | 260 |
Choose one of the following Specializations
Exceptionalities Specialization
| ECCE 2360 | Classroom Strategies for Exceptional Children | 3 | 45 |
| ECCE 2362 | Exploring Your role in the Exceptional Environment | 3 | 75 |
Paraprofessional Specialization
| ECCE 2310 | Paraprofessional Methods and Materials | 3 | 45 |
| ECCE 2312 | Paraprofessional Roles and Practicies | 3 | 45 |
Program Pathway
Semester 1
| ENGL 1101 | Composition and Rhetoric | 3 | 45 |
| COLL 1060 | Introduction to College and Computers | 3 | 50 |
| ECCE 1101 | Introduction to Early Childhood Care and Education | 3 | 45 |
| ECCE 1103 | Child Growth and Development | 3 | 45 |
| ECCE 1105 | Health, Safety and Nutrition | 3 | 60 |
Semester 2
Choose one of the following:
Semester 3
Semester 4
| ECCE 2203 | Guidance and Classroom Management | 3 | 45 |
| ECCE 2245 | Early Childhood Care and Education Internship I | 6 | 270 |
Choose one of the following
Exceptionalities Specialization: ECCE 2360
Paraprofessional Specialization: ECCE 2310
| ECCE 2360 | Classroom Strategies for Exceptional Children | 3 | 45 |
| ECCE 2310 | Paraprofessional Methods and Materials | 3 | 45 |
Semester 5
| ECCE 2246 | Early Childhood Care and Education Internship II | 6 | 260 |
Choose one of the following:
Choose one of the following:
Choose one of the following
Exceptionalities Specialization: ECCE 2362
Paraprofessional Specialization: ECCE 2312
| ECCE 2362 | Exploring Your role in the Exceptional Environment | 3 | 75 |
| ECCE 2312 | Paraprofessional Roles and Practicies | 3 | 45 |