Early Childhood AS
Work with children and families as you study early childhood
Jefferson’s Early Childhood A.S. program prepares students like you to continue your studies in early childhood or related fields at a four-year college or university. You will gain practical skills for working with young children and their families in infant/toddler and preschool settings.
Jefferson graduates have been 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, including the bulk of your general education classes, and 15 hours in early childhood care and education.
This program offers:
- Strong foundation for further study and career
- Broad-based perspective that prepares you for early childhood care and education and related fields
- Opportunities to complete service projects that benefit local children and their families
- Hands-on learning and observation
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.S. graduate, you'll have the skills you need in childhood psychology, lesson planning, and child development to help young children make developmental strides. Plus, you'll enjoy a highly satisfying career in a growing field.
Job prospects are expected to increase by 16 percent through 2026 for candidates with state or federal certifications required for employment as teachers or administrators in preschools, daycare centers, or similar institutions.
Learn to help young children grow and develop
When you complete the Early Childhood 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
Jefferson graduates can 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 are looking to start your career after you graduate, you might be interested in our Early Childhood A.A.S.
Degree requirements for Early Childhood A.S.
| College Foundations | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
|
INT 111: College Foundations |
1 |
| Early Childhood Requirements (15 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) and ECD 240: Fieldwork in Early Childhood Education (Age 3-6) or ECD 202: Lesson Planning, Environments, and Resources (Birth – 36 months) and ECD 280: Fieldwork in Early Childhood Care and Education (Birth – 36 Months) |
6 |
|
Choose two the following: |
6 |
| Liberal Arts Requirements (34 credit hours) | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| BIO 106: Human Biology | 4 |
| ENG 101: Research and Composition | 3 |
| HIS 150: American History to 1877 or HIS 151: American History 1877 to Present |
3 |
| MTH 144: Elementary Statistics or MTH 148: Mathematical Reasoning for Elementary Teachers 1 or MTH 174: Mathematical Probability and Statistics 1 |
3-4 |
| PSY 133: Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| PSY 220: Child and Adolescent Development | 3 |
| SOC 144: Introduction to Sociology | 3 |
| Arts or Foreign Language Elective1 | 3 |
| Humanities Elective2 | 3 |
| Mathematics or Science Elective | 3 |
| General Education Requirements: Choose from one of the following SUNY General Education List areas NOT used above: World Languages, Arts, World History and Global Awareness, or Humanities |
3 |
| Free Elective Requirements (6 credit hours) | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| Free Electives | 3 |
| Physical Education + Health Requirements (2 Credit Hours) | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| MGA 102: Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation | 1 |
| Physical Education | 1 |
Total Credit Hours 61
| Advising Notes: | |
|---|---|
| 1Choose one course from Knowledge Area of the Arts or World Languages in the SUNY General Education Course List. | |
| 2Choose one course from the Knowledge Area in Humanities in the SUNY General Education Course List (ENG 114: Survey of Early Childhood Literature - recommended). |
Effective Fall 2017
| Early Childhood Requirements (15 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) and ECD 240: Fieldwork in Early Childhood Education (Age 3-6) or ECD 202: Lesson Planning, Environments, and Resources (Birth – 36 months) and ECD 280: Fieldwork in Early Childhood Care and Education (Birth – 36 Months) |
6 |
| Liberal Arts Requirements (34 credit hours) | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| BIO 106: Human Biology | 4 |
| ENG 101: Research and Composition | 3 |
| HIS 150: American History to 1877 or HIS 151: American History 1877 to Present |
3 |
| MTH 144: Elementary Statistics or MTH 148: Mathematical Reasoning for Elementary Teachers 1 or MTH 174: Mathematical Probability and Statistics 1 |
3 |
| PSY 133: Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| PSY 220: Child and Adolescent Development | 3 |
| SOC 144: Introduction to Sociology | 3 |
| Arts or Foreign Language Elective1 | 3 |
| Humanities Elective2 | 3 |
| Mathematics or Science Elective | 3 |
| General Education Requirements: Choose from one of the following SUNY General Education List areas NOT used above: Foreign Languages, Arts, Western Civilization, Other World Civilizations, or Humanities |
3 |
| Free Elective Requirements (12 credit hours) | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| Free Electives | 12 |
| Physical Education + Health Requirements (2 Credit Hours) | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| MGA 102: Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation | 1 |
| Physical Education | 1 |
Total Credit Hours 63
| Advising Notes: | |
|---|---|
| 1Choose one course from Knowledge Area of the Arts or Foreign Language in the SUNY General Education Course List. | |
| 2Choose one course from the Knowledge Area in Humanities in the SUNY General Education Course List (ENG 114: Survey of Early Childhood Literature - recommended). |
Program Contacts