AY25 Academic Catalog/Handbook

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: $12.00

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

Course NameCourse TitleCreditsContact
ENGL 1101Composition and Rhetoric

3

45

ENGL 1102Literature and Composition

3

45

Area II - Social/Behavioral

Course NameCourse TitleCreditsContact
PSYC 1101Introductory Psychology

3

45

Area III - Sciences/Mathematics

Choose one of the following:
Course NameCourse TitleCreditsContact
MATH 1103Quantitative Skills and Reasoning

3

45

MATH 1111College Algebra

3

45

Area IV - Humanities/Fine Arts

Choose one of the following:
Course NameCourse TitleCreditsContact
ENGL 2110World Literature

3

45

ENGL 2130American Literature

3

45

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.

Course NameCourse TitleCreditsContact
HIST 2111U.S. History I

3

45

HIST 2112U.S. History II

3

45

POLS 1101American Government

3

45

SOCI 1101Introduction to Sociology

3

45

Occupational Courses

Course NameCourse TitleCreditsContact
COLL 1060Introduction to College and Computers

3

50

ECCE 1101Introduction to Early Childhood Care and Education

3

45

ECCE 1103Child Growth and Development

3

45

ECCE 1105Health, Safety and Nutrition

3

60

ECCE 1112Curriculum and Assessment

3

60

ECCE 1113Creative Activities for Children

3

60

ECCE 1121Early Childhood Care and Education Practicum

3

105

ECCE 2115Language and Literacy

3

60

ECCE 2116Math and Science

3

60

ECCE 2201Exceptionalities

3

45

ECCE 2202Social Issues and Family Involvement

3

45

ECCE 2203Guidance and Classroom Management

3

45

ECCE 2245Early Childhood Care and Education Internship I

6

270

ECCE 2246Early Childhood Care and Education Internship II

6

260

Choose one of the following Specializations

Exceptionalities Specialization
Course NameCourse TitleCreditsContact
ECCE 2360Classroom Strategies for Exceptional Children

3

45

ECCE 2362Exploring Your role in the Exceptional Environment

3

75

Paraprofessional Specialization
Course NameCourse TitleCreditsContact
ECCE 2310Paraprofessional Methods and Materials

3

45

ECCE 2312Paraprofessional Roles and Practicies

3

45

Program Pathway

Semester 1

Course NameCourse TitleCreditsContact
ENGL 1101Composition and Rhetoric

3

45

COLL 1060Introduction to College and Computers

3

50

ECCE 1101Introduction to Early Childhood Care and Education

3

45

ECCE 1103Child Growth and Development

3

45

ECCE 1105Health, Safety and Nutrition

3

60

Semester 2

Course NameCourse TitleCreditsContact
ECCE 1112Curriculum and Assessment

3

60

ECCE 1113Creative Activities for Children

3

60

ECCE 1121Early Childhood Care and Education Practicum

3

105

ECCE 2115Language and Literacy

3

60

Choose one of the following:
Course NameCourse TitleCreditsContact
MATH 1103Quantitative Skills and Reasoning

3

45

MATH 1111College Algebra

3

45

Semester 3

Course NameCourse TitleCreditsContact
ENGL 1102Literature and Composition

3

45

ECCE 2116Math and Science

3

60

ECCE 2201Exceptionalities

3

45

ECCE 2202Social Issues and Family Involvement

3

45

PSYC 1101Introductory Psychology

3

45

Semester 4

Course NameCourse TitleCreditsContact
ECCE 2203Guidance and Classroom Management

3

45

ECCE 2245Early Childhood Care and Education Internship I

6

270

Paraprofessional Specialization:
Course NameCourse TitleCreditsContact
ECCE 2310Paraprofessional Methods and Materials

3

45

ECCE 2312Paraprofessional Roles and Practicies

3

45

Semester 5

Course NameCourse TitleCreditsContact
ECCE 2246Early Childhood Care and Education Internship II

6

260

Choose one of the following:
Course NameCourse TitleCreditsContact
HIST 2111U.S. History I

3

45

HIST 2112U.S. History II

3

45

POLS 1101American Government

3

45

SOCI 1101Introduction to Sociology

3

45

Choose one of the following:
Course NameCourse TitleCreditsContact
ENGL 2110World Literature

3

45

ENGL 2130American Literature

3

45

Exceptionalities Specialization:
Course NameCourse TitleCreditsContact
ECCE 2360Classroom Strategies for Exceptional Children

3

45

ECCE 2362Exploring Your role in the Exceptional Environment

3

75