Curriculum EDU.ECE.AAS (C220A)
The field of early childhood education is filled with many exciting career opportunities! Potential careers include working directly with young children and their families through teaching in public and private schools, Head Start programs, child care centers, and family child care homes. Career opportunities also include supporting those who work directly with young children in occupations that include administration, curriculum development, policy advocates and lobbyists, coaches and mentors, licensing representatives, and providers of professional development. Our state and nation is currently facing a critical need for well-prepared early childhood practitioners, with an anticipated growth in career opportunities of 14% (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2014).
At Triton College, we have a variety of pathways designed to support your professional growth. Whether you are interested in earning a Gateways Credential or are planning to transfer to a four-year program, we have the courses and opportunities to meet your education and career needs.
Our courses are designed around the following 3 Pathways: Career Pathways, Credential Continuing, and Credential Transfer.
The ECE Career Pathway Certificate is designed for students who are in the field or seeking immediate employment and are pursuing Gateways Credentials to secure employment or progress within a current role. This pathway is designed with convenient on and off ramps—you can pursue a Level 2 Credential, for example, then later decide that you would like to attain your Level 3 Credential.
The ECE Credential Continuing Pathway Certificate or degree is designed for students who are seeking employment and/or working in the field and who plan on progressing through each of the credentials with the goal of attaining their A.A.S. Courses are laid out in a three to four semester sequence, with milestones of credential attainment marked along the way.
The ECE Credential Transfer Pathway is designed for students who are planning to transfer to a four-year university. This sequence of courses supports the attainment of the Level 3 Gateways Credential and either the A.A. or A.S. degree, and maximizes the number of courses that will directly transfer to a partnering four-year institution.
Each of our Pathways is designed to support the attainment of Gateways Credentials. The Gateways Credential is recognized by the Illinois Department of Human Services Bureau of Child the Care and Development. Credentials are required for varied Circles of Quality in ExceleRate Illinois and can be used as a prerequisite for employment within early learning programs. To earn your Level 2-4 ECE Gateways Credential, you are required to follow a prescribed course of study.
Daytime morning field experiences are requirements for all ECE classes, progressing from basic observation to a supervised observation/preparation class which precedes student teaching in the Lab School at Triton College.
College and state medical assessments and background inquiry checks are required of all individuals working with young children.
All program electives may not transfer to four year colleges/universities.
The Early Childhood Credential Continuing Pathway Degree is designed for students who are taking early childhood courses to attain a Gateway Level 4 credential to meet ExceleRate/employer requirements with attainment of the A.A.S. as an end goal.
Associate in Applied Science Degree
| ECE 110 ◊ Early Child Development | | 3 credits |
| ECE 111 ◊ Introduction to Early Childhood Education | | 3 credits |
| | | |
| MAT 102 ◊ # Liberal Arts Mathematics | | 3 credits |
| OR | | |
| MAT 117 ◊ # Math for Elementary School Teachers II | | 3 credits |
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| RHT 101 ◊ # Freshman Rhetoric & Composition I | | 3 credits |
| PSY 100 ◊ Introduction to Psychology | | 3 credits |
| Total Semester Credits: | 15 |
| ECE 118 ◊ # Health, Nutrition & Safety | | 3 credits |
| ECE 121 ◊ # Language Development & Activities | | 3 credits |
| SPE 101 ◊ # Principles of Effective Speaking | | 3 credits |
| ART 110 ◊ Looking at Art | | 3 credits |
| | | |
| PHL 101 ◊ Introduction to Philosophy | | 3 credits |
| OR | | |
| PHL 105 ◊ World Religions | | 3 credits |
| | | |
| Elective | | 1 credit |
| Total Semester Credits: | 16 |
| ECE 138 ◊ # Observation, Assessment, Curriculum and Guidance of Young Children | | 3.5 credits |
| ECE 146 ◊ # Child, Family & Community | | 2 credits |
| ECE 231 ◊ # Science and Math for Children | | 3 credits |
| ECE 233 ◊ # Creative Activities for the Young Child | | 3 credits |
| HTH 281 ◊ First Aid & CPR | | 2 credits |
| MUS 110 ◊ Listening to Music | | 3 credits |
| Total Semester Credits: | 16.5 |
| ECE 142 ◊ # Students With Disabilities in School | | 3 credits |
| | | |
| HIS 152 ◊ History of the United States Since 1877 | | 3 credits |
| OR | | |
| SOC 100 ◊ Introduction to Sociology | | 3 credits |
| | | |
| ECE 251 ◊ # Practicum | | 4 credits |
| ECE 252 ◊ # Seminar | | 3 credits |
| Total Semester Credits: | 13 |