Early Childhood Care/Education, Associate of Applied Science Degree

Overview

Offered at the Augusta Campus, Thomson, and Waynesboro Sites.

Program Description: The Early Childhood Care/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 have qualifications to be employed in early care and education settings including child care centers, Head Start, Georgia Pre-K programs and elementary school paraprofessional positions. Graduates of this program will receive a Paraprofessional Specialization. High school graduation or GED is required for admission to this program.

Employment Opportunities: Graduates will be able to obtain jobs as early child care professionals, teacher assistants, preschool, pre-kindergarten, kindergarten teachers (private sectors), Early Head Start and Head Start teachers, family and group day care home providers, child care program administrators, and child care center directors. Employment can also be found in Early Intervention programs.

Curriculum Outline

General Core Courses, 18 credits

Occupational Courses, 48 credits

Paraprofessional Specialization Courses, 6 credits

Notes:

• The Early Childhood Care/Education Degree program meets the requirement for the 120 clock hours of training required for the CDA (Child Development Associate) credential.
• Prior to beginning the laboratory rotation in ECCE 1121, Early Childhood Care/Education students must have a physical exam and present a complete medical form documenting any special medical conditions, a negative tuberculin test reading, and their decision to take or decline the Hepatitis B vaccine series. (Documents must be submitted in ECCE 1101).
• Prior to beginning the laboratory rotation in ECCE 1121, students must submit an application for a Comprehensive Fingerpring Records Check and receive a satisfactory determination by Bright from the Start: Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning. No person having an unsatisfactory determination as to his or her fingerprint records check will be eligible to complete this program of study. Criminal records checks are good for a 24 month period. Students must submit a second criminal records check to the department during the term prior to Internship enrollment. (Documents must be submitted in ECCE 1101).
• Background checks are required on all incoming students to insure the safety of the children during routine care by students in the practicum/internship education courses. Students will be required to order their background checks, online, in sufficient time for it to be reviewed by the placement site prior to starting practicum/internship rotation. A background check typically takes 3-5 normal business days to complete. The background check will be conducted by an outside agency, a firm specializing in background checks. For more information, contact your program advisor.
• Students must be aware that many employers also require drug screening as a condition of employment and practice zero tolerance policies.
• ECCE students completing their final occupational courses will be required to take the National Occupational Competency Test.
• Placement for Practicum and Internship students: The State of Georgia has a law regarding the placement of persons with criminal records in childcare facilities. Anyone who has been convicted of a felony offense or of neglecting or abusing a dependent person, a sexual offense or any other “covered crime” will not be allowed to work in a childcare facility. If you are affected by this law, or think you may be, discuss your situation immediately with your advisor.
• Effective January 1, 2014, any individual desiring to perform duties or tasks in a paid or unpaid capacity which involve personal contact with any child being cared for by a public or private child care center (i.e. a child care learning center, group day care home, or family day care home) under the oversight of Bright from the Start: Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL) must first undergo a comprehensive fingerprint records check and receive a satisfactory determination from DECAL or have an unsatisfactory determination reversed. If you are affected by this law, or think you may be, discuss your situation immediately with your program advisor. Your employment options will be severely limited and you may need to reconsider your chosen field of study.
• Students enrolled in ECCE 1121 will be required to do the full lab practicum experience at the lab school site if there is one available.
• Students enrolled in both ECCE 2245 and ECCE 2246 will be required to complete required internship hours within the time frame allotted by the college. Failure to comply with Internship contract guidelines will adversely affect successful completion of course.
• A grade of “C” or higher is required for all Early Childhood Care/Education occupational courses with the prefix ECCE.

• All Early Childhood Care/Education students must submit current CPR/First Aid training and Fire Safety certificates.  This includes pediatric CPR/First Aid and AED.  CPR/First Aid training must be hands-on to meet eligibility requirements.  Individuals who do not participate in training, through Augusta Tech, must obtain required training through other means and provide proof of completion.

Guided Pathway

You may click on any course below to view the course description and prerequisite information.

Students who do not follow the Course Sequence listed below may not be able to complete the program in the number of semesters shown.

Augusta Day Program- Fall Entrance

PROGRAM NAME: Early Childhood Care & Education (EC13)

AWARD: Associate of Applied Science Degree

CAMPUS: Augusta Day Program Fall Entrance

Year 1 Fall Semester

Year 1 Spring Semester

Year 1 Summer Semester

Year 2 Fall Semester

Year 2 Spring Semester

Augusta Day Program- Spring Entrance

PROGRAM NAME: Early Childhood Care & Education (EC13)

AWARD: Associate of Applied Science Degree

CAMPUS: Augusta Day Program Spring Entrance

Year 1 Spring Semester

Year 1 Summer Semester

Year 1 Fall Semester

Year 2 Spring Semester

Year 2 Summer Semester

Thomson Day Program- Fall Entrance

PROGRAM NAME: Early Childhood Care and Education

AWARD: Associate of Applied Science Degree

CAMPUS: Thomson Day Program

Year 1 Fall Semester

Year 1 Spring Semester

Year 1 Summer Semester

Year 2 Fall Semester

Year 2 Spring Semester

Thomson Day Program- Spring Entrance

PROGRAM NAME: Early Childhood Care and Education

AWARD: Associate of Applied Science Degree

CAMPUS: Thomson Day Program

Year 1 Spring Semester

Year 1 Summer Semester

Year 1 Fall Semester

Year 2 Spring Semester

Year 2 Summer Semester

Year 2 Fall Semester

Waynesboro Day Program--Fall Entrance

PROGRAM NAME: Early Childhood Care and Education

AWARD: Associate of Applied Science Degree

CAMPUS: Waynesboro Day Program

Year 1 Fall Semester

Year 1 Spring Semester

Year 1 Summer Semester

Year 2 Fall Semester

Year 2 Spring Semester

Accreditation

The Early Childhood Care/Education Associate of Applied Science Degree Program at Augusta Technical College is accredited by the Commission of the Accreditation of Early Childhood Higher Education Programs of the National Association for the Education of Young Children.  The current accreditation term runs from October 2021 through March 2024.

Student Achievement Data is available on the program's student achievement data page.