This program was established for students who desire to work in early childhood education (birth to age eight). Career opportunities include childcare teacher or assistant teacher, Head Start teacher or assistant teacher, childcare center director, family childcare teacher, before- and after-school teacher and elementary school teacher’s assistant. The curriculum also includes the necessary course work for application for a Child Development Associate credential (CDA).

While designed to articulate with all Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR) two-year colleges, many of the courses in the Associate of Applied Science degree in Early Childhood Education will also articulate to other institutions offering bachelor’s programs in Early Childhood Education (pre-k to third grade).

Summary of Required Hours

¹Choose from the following Mathematics Elective options: MATH 1130 - College Algebra , MATH 1410 - Number Concepts for Teachers  or MATH 1530 - Introductory Statistics .

² In consultation with academic advisor, students may select appropriate Humanities/Fine Arts, Natural Science and Social/Behavioral Sciences Electives.

³Students will be advised on which courses to take depending on whether planning on this being a terminal degree or courses that will transfer. Options include:  ECED 2186 , 2286 , 2300 , 2312 , 2330 , 2386 , 2390 , EDU 2000  or ENGL 2510 .

Note: Students in the Early Childhood Education concentration must make a “C” or better in all required Early Childhood course work.