Program Overview

Early Childhood Education Program

The Early Childhood Education program is designed to prepare students for employment as early childhood and child care providers, and to improve the skills of those already employed in the field. Graduates of this program pursue opportunities with child care centers, head start programs, early childhood education programs, child welfare service agencies, scouting services, staff training, program licensing, and public school teacher aide programs.

Program Overview

This program meets standards specified by the National Association for the Education of Young Children and leads to state certification as an Early Childhood Education Associate II. The certification program in early childhood is for students enrolling in college for the first time, as well as for those who are educated in other subject areas but desire retraining for employment in this field.

Program Requirements

• Complete the general university requirements
• Complete the following certificate requirements:
  • Complete one of the following communication courses:
    • ENGL F111X: Introduction to Academic Writing (3 credits)
    • COMM F131X: Fundamentals of Oral Communication: Group Context (3 credits)
    • COMM F141X: Fundamentals of Oral Communication: Public Context (3 credits)
  • Complete one of the following computation courses:
    • ECE F117: Math Skills for Early Childhood Educators (3 credits)
    • Any MATH course at the F100-level or above (3 credits)
  • Complete the following human relations course:
    • ECE F245: Child Development (3 credits)
  • Complete the following program (major) requirements:
    • ECE F101: Introduction to Early Childhood Profession (3 credits)
    • ECE F111: Nutrition for Young Children (1 credit)
    • ECE F110: Safe, Healthy, Learning Environments (3 credits) or
      • ECE F112: Healthy Learning Environments for Young Children (1 credit)
      • ECE F113: Safe Environments for Young Children (1 credit)
      • ECE F114: Learning Environments for Young Children (1 credit)
    • ECE F120A: Curriculum I (3 credits) or
      • ECE F105: Developmentally Appropriate Practice (1 credit)
      • ECE F121: Physical Activities for Young Children (1 credit)
      • ECE F123: Language and Literature Activities for Young Children (1 credit)
    • ECE F120B: Curriculum II (3 credits) or
      • ECE F122: Cognitive Activities for Young Children (1 credit)
      • ECE F124: Creative Activities for Young Children (1 credit)
      • ECE F125: Math Activities (1 credit)
    • ECE F132: Young Child and the Family (1 credit)
    • ECE F140: Positive Social Development (3 credits) or
      • ECE F141: Class Management (1 credit)
      • ECE F142: Social Development of the Young Child (1 credit)
      • ECE F143: Developing Positive Self-Concepts in Young Children (1 credit)
    • ECE F170: Practicum I (3 credits) or
      • ECE F171: Program Management (1 credit)
      • ECE F172: Professionalism (1 credit)
      • ECE F173: Reflective Teaching (1 credit)
    • Elective credit (1 credit)
• Minimum credits required: 30 credits
• Student must earn a C grade or better in each course
• Students holding a Child Development Associate Credential (CDA) may enroll in ECE F170: Practicum I for 1 credit; students without a CDA must enroll for 3 credits

Degree Requirements

The certificate program lays the foundation for the B.A. in Child Development and Family Studies. Students entering either the A.A.S. degree or certificate program should meet with an early childhood advisor to discuss a specific course of study. The required early childhood courses offered by any of the UAF campus sites may be used to meet graduation requirements for the certificate or degree. An agreement between the UAF College of Rural and Community Development and the University of Alaska Southeast allows students in rural locations to take courses in early childhood education and obtain an A.A.S. degree via distance delivery. Students should contact their advisor for assistance with the selection of general education courses and electives that meet the degree requirements of their campus.