Work with children and families as you study early childhood
Jefferson’s Early Childhood A.A.S. program prepares students like you to learn the fundamentals of educating young children so you can get a job in the field once you complete the degree. You will gain practical skills for working with young children and their families in infant/toddler and preschool settings. Two fieldwork placements are required and you could be placed with area Head Start programs, Fort Drum Child Development Centers, Jefferson Community College Early Childhood Learning Center (Jefferson’s Campus Care), day care centers, family day care, and early intervention programs.
The program consists of 62 hours of academic credit, with 21 hours directly in early childhood care education.
This program offers:
- Strong connection to local employers
- Broad-based perspective that prepares you for early childhood care and education and related fields
- Opportunities to complete service projects and engage in a student club that benefit local children and their families
- Hands-on learning and observation experiences
Join the growing early childhood care and education field
Studies show that children who attend preschool are better prepared socially, emotionally, and academically for kindergarten. As an Early Childhood A.A.S. graduate, you’ll have the skills you need to help young children make developmental strides. Plus, you’ll enjoy a highly satisfying career in a growing field.
Learn to help young children grow and develop
When you complete the Early Childhood A.A.S. degree you will be able to:
- Promote child development and learning
- Build family and community relationships
- Observe, document, and assess to support young children and families
- Use developmentally effective approaches
- Use content knowledge to build meaningful curriculum
Contact Enrollment Services for Application and Admissions Information
admissions@sunyjefferson.edu
(315) 786-2437, fax (315) 786-2349 or toll free (888) 435-6522
8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Monday-Thursday
8:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Friday
FOCUS FURTHER
Although this degree is designed as a career program many Jefferson graduates transfer to a number of colleges to pursue a bachelor’s degree, including SUNY Empire State College, SUNY Cortland, SUNY Cobleskill and SUNY Canton. If you know you want to transfer, you might want to consider our Early Childhood A.S. degree.
Degree requirements for Early Childhood A.A.S.
| Early Childhood Requirements (21 credit hours) | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| ECD 101: Introduction to Early Childhood Care and Development | 3 |
| ECD 181: Child Health and Safety | 3 |
| ECD 190: Observation and Assessment of Young Children’s Development | 3 |
| ECD 201: Lesson Planning, Environments, and Resources (Age 3 - 6) | 3 |
| ECD 202: Lesson Planning, Environments, and Resources (Birth - 36 months) | 3 |
| ECD 240: Fieldwork in Early Childhood Education (Age 3 - 6) | 3 |
| ECD 280: Fieldwork in Early Childhood Care and Education (Birth - 36 months) | 3 |
| Liberal Arts Requirements (27-28 credit hours) | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| ENG 101: Research and Composition | 3 |
| PSY 133: Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| PSY 220: Child and Adolescent Development | 3 |
| SOC 144: Introduction to Sociology | 3 |
| SOC 241: Marriage and Family | 3 |
| Biology Elective: BIO 106: Human Biology recommended |
3-4 |
| Two Humanities Electives: Chosen from from ART, MUS, STA, ENG, PHI, Foreign Language |
6 |
| Mathematics Elective: MTH 144: Elementary Statistics recommended |
3 |
| Elective Requirements (12 credit hours) | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| Restricted Electives: Chosen from any ANT, HIS, POL, HUS, ECD, PSY, SOC course or STA 101: Fundamentals of Oral Communication |
6 |
| Choose 2 from: ECD 150: Creative Arts for Young Children ECD 210: Methods and Materials in Working with Exceptional Young Children ECD 220: Foundations for Teaching Math and Science to Young Children |
6 |
| Physical Education Requirements (2 credit hours) | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| Physical Education Elective | 1 |
| HEA 102: Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation | 1 |
Total Credit Hours 62-63
| Early Childhood Requirements (21 credit hours) | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| ECD 101: Introduction to Early Childhood Care and Development | 3 |
| ECD 181: Child Health and Safety | 3 |
| ECD 190: Observation and Assessment of Young Children’s Development | 3 |
| ECD 201: Lesson Planning, Environments, and Resources (Age 3 - 6) | 3 |
| ECD 202: Lesson Planning, Environments, and Resources (Birth - 36 months) | 3 |
| ECD 240: Fieldwork in Early Childhood Education (Age 3 - 6) | 3 |
| ECD 280: Fieldwork in Early Childhood Care and Education (Birth - 36 months) | 3 |
| Liberal Arts Requirements (27-29 credit hours) | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| ENG 101: Research and Composition | 3 |
| PSY 133: Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| PSY 220: Child and Adolescent Development | 3 |
| SOC 144: Introduction to Sociology | 3 |
| SOC 241: Marriage and Family | 3 |
| Biology Elective: BIO 106: Human Biology recommended |
3-4 |
| Two Humanities Electives: Chosen from from ART, MUS, STA, ENG, PHI, Language |
6 |
| Mathematics Elective: MTH 144: Elementary Statistics recommended |
3-4 |
| Elective Requirements (12 credit hours) | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| Restricted Electives: Chosen from any ANT, HIS, POL, HUS, ECD, PSY, SOC course or STA 101: Fundamentals of Oral Communication |
6 |
| Choose 2 from: ECD 150: Creative Arts for Young Children ECD 210: Methods and Materials in Working with Exceptional Young Children ECD 220: Foundations for Teaching Math and Science to Young Children |
6 |
| Physical Education Requirements | 2 Credit Hours |
|---|
Total Credit Hours 62-64