AY25 Academic Catalog/Handbook

Early Childhood Care/Education Diploma

The Early Childhood Care/Education diploma 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 have qualifications to be employed in early childhood care and education settings including child care centers, Head Start and Georgia Pre-K programs.

Students are accepted into the Early Childhood Care/Education diploma program every semester. A full-time student can complete this program in 4 semesters. To graduate, students must earn a minimum of 53 semester credit hours.

Prior to practicums or internships, students must submit to a GAPS fingerprint check. Students in the ECCE program are also required to obtain CPR and first aid certifications while enrolled in the program.

Offered at the Following Campuses/Delivery Mode:

  • North Campus (Sandersville)
  • South Campus (Dublin)
  • Jefferson County Center

Employment Outlook

Career Traits/Requirements

Individuals wanting to enroll in the Early Childhood diploma program must be fond of children, dependable, reliable, flexible, patient, and positive.

Employment Opportunities

Graduates of the Early Childhood Care/Education diploma are prepared for employment as an early childhood care and education provider. Instruction and practical application of learned skills provide a broad occupational background which appeals to prospective employers.

Program Costs

Tuition & Fees: $6,624.00

Books & Supplies: $1,700.00

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.)

HOPE Career Grant: The HOPE Career Grant, formerly known as the Strategic Industries Workforce Development Grant, is available to HOPE Grant-qualified students who enroll in select majors specifically aligned with one of 12 industries in which there are more jobs available in Georgia than there are skilled workers to fill them. To qualify, an OFTC student must be fully admitted to the college, enrolled in one of the approved programs and receiving the HOPE Grant for the same term. The amount of the HOPE Career Grant award is a fixed amount for each term of enrollment:

  • 9 or more credit hours – $500/semester
  • 3-8 credit hours – $250/semester
  • 1-2 credit hours – $125/semester
  • Commercial Truck Driving – $1,000 one time award

High School students in dual enrollment and joint enrollment are NOT eligible.

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

General Education Courses

Course NameCourse TitleCreditsContact
ENGL 1010Fundamentals of English I

3

45

MATH 1012Foundations of Mathematics

3

45

Choose one of the following:
Course NameCourse TitleCreditsContact
EMPL 1000Interpersonal Relations & Prof Development

2

30

PSYC 1010Basic Psychology

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 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

Program Pathway

Semester 1

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

ENGL 1010Fundamentals of English I

3

45

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

Choose one of the following:
Course NameCourse TitleCreditsContact
EMPL 1000Interpersonal Relations & Prof Development

2

30

PSYC 1010Basic Psychology

3

45

Semester 3

Course NameCourse TitleCreditsContact
ECCE 2115Language and Literacy

3

60

ECCE 2116Math and Science

3

60

ECCE 2245Early Childhood Care and Education Internship I

6

270

MATH 1012Foundations of Mathematics

3

45

Semester 4

Course NameCourse TitleCreditsContact
ECCE 2202Social Issues and Family Involvement

3

45

ECCE 2203Guidance and Classroom Management

3

45

ECCE 2246Early Childhood Care and Education Internship II

6

260