Early Childhood Education Degree

You always remember your first teacher

Career options

Early childhood education teacher
Kindergarten prep teacher
Preschool teacher

Prepare for work in a variety of facilities for young children with Harper's Early Childhood Education program. You’ll develop the skills and knowledge needed to launch a successful teaching career.

Focus areas of study include promoting child development and learning, building family and community relationships, using developmentally effective approaches to connect with children and families and using content knowledge to develop meaningful curriculum. You’ll also get hands-on experience working with children at Harper’s Child Care Learning Center, an on-site preschool facility where you’ll receive guidance and feedback from certified teaching professionals.

A.A.S. degree program plans and outcomes

The Associate in Applied Science in Early Childhood Education offers specializations in Director and Teacher. Students may complete ONE specialization (click to expand):

Director

The 60 credit-hour curriculum is designed to provide students with the requisite skills and theoretical knowledge to work in a variety of facilities for young children as a director for half-day and full-day early childhood centers.

Upon completion of courses for the specialized area of director, demonstration of proof of First Aid/CPR certification and verification of 1200 hours of management experience, students need to complete an IL Gateways application to qualify for the Illinois Director Credential Level 1.

This sequenced degree plan is one of two options that students may pursue to earn the Early Childhood Education Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree. While there are multiple specializations, this particular degree can be awarded only once.

Program Overview

Program Overview (Hours required: 60)
Number	Course Title	Credits
First Semester
ECE 101	Introduction to Early Childhood Education	3
ECE 102	Child Development	3
ECE 115	Principles of Early Childhood Curriculum	3
ENG 101	Composition I	3
Mathematics ¹		3
	Hours	15
Second Semester
ECE 226	Assessment and Guidance	3
ECE 250	Health, Nutrition and Safety	3
ECE 252	Child-Family-Community	3
MGT 205	Leadership	3
SPE 101	Fundamentals of Speech Communication	3
	Hours	15
Third Semester
ECE 253	Administration of Early Childhood Programs	3
EDU 219	Students with Disabilities in School	3
EDU 220	Diversity in Schools and Society ⁺	3
EDU 250	Introduction to Technology in Education	3
PSY 101	Introduction to Psychology ⁺	3
	Hours	15
Fourth Semester
AAS General Education elective(s) ²		3
ECE 254	Interpersonal Relationships in Early Childhood Education	1
ECE 293	Early Childhood Director Practicum	3
ECE elective: Any ECE course.		3
FSM 114	Food Standards and Sanitation	2
MKT 245	Principles of Marketing	3
	Hours	15
	Total Hours	60

¹: The mathematics requirement for this degree can be met with MGT 150 (Business Math) or Math Competency. See Math Competency options for information. Students who use Math Competency to meet the mathematics requirement must complete an additional three credit-hour AAS General Education elective. See full list of AAS General Education Electives.
+: This course meets the World Culture and Diversity graduation requirement.
²: See full list of AAS General Education Electives.

Program learning outcomes

HGD5: Integrates research, developmental theories, and observational data to make decisions about evidence-based practice supporting children's learning and development.
HSW6: Collaborates with diverse families and community organizations to support children's healthy development and learning.
IRE4: Designs learning environments and activities supportive of diverse, healthy development and learning.
OA5: Evaluates and selects appropriate strategies for collecting, recording, measuring, disseminating, and utilizing observation, screening, and assessment data which are responsive to the strengths and challenges of individual children and reflective of family goals and priorities.
CPD6: Selects appropriate content, aligned with relevant standards.
FCR6: Selects and implements culturally and linguistically appropriate procedures designed to gather information about children and families, including child and family strengths, priorities, concerns, and needs, and collaboratively integrates this information into child, family, and program goals.
PPD5: Engages in reflection and the design of a professional development plan with the goal of improving professional practice and fostering professional growth.

Teacher

The 60 credit-hour curriculum is designed to provide students with the requisite skills and theoretical knowledge to work in a variety of facilities for young children. Upon completion of courses for the specialized area of teacher, students need to complete an IL Gateways application to qualify for the Illinois ECE Credential Level 4 and Illinois Infant/Toddler Credential Level 4.

Program Overview

Program Overview (Hours required: 60)
Number	Course Title	Credits
First Semester
ECE 101	Introduction to Early Childhood Education	3
ECE 102	Child Development	3
ECE 115	Principles of Early Childhood Curriculum	3
ENG 101	Composition I	3
Mathematics ¹		3
	Hours	15
Second Semester
ECE 111	Infant/Toddler Programs	3
ECE 226	Assessment and Guidance	3
ECE 250	Health, Nutrition and Safety	3
EDU 219	Students with Disabilities in School	3
PSY 101	Introduction to Psychology ⁺	3
	Hours	15
Third Semester
ECE 209	Language Development and Activities for the Young Child	3
ECE 210	Creative Activities for Young Children	3
ECE 291	Early Childhood Practicum I	3
EDU 220	Diversity in Schools and Society ⁺	3
SPE 101	Fundamentals of Speech Communication	3
	Hours	15
Fourth Semester
AAS General Education elective(s) ²		3
ECE 221	Math and Science for the Young Child	3
ECE 252	Child-Family-Community	3
ECE 292	Early Childhood Practicum II	3
ECE elective: Any ECE course.		3
	Hours	15
	Total Hours	60

¹: The mathematics requirement for this degree can be met with MGT 150 (Business Math) or Math Competency. See Math Competency options for information. Students who utilize Math Competency to meet the mathematics requirement must complete an additional three credit-hour elective. See full list of AAS General Education electives.
+: This course meets the World Culture and Diversity graduation requirement.
²: See full list of AAS General Education Electives.

Program learning outcomes

HGD5: Integrates research, developmental theories, and observational data to make decisions about evidence-based practice supporting children’s learning and development.
HSW6: Collaborates with diverse families and community organizations to support children’s healthy development and learning.
IRE4: Designs learning environments and activities supportive of diverse, healthy development and learning.
OA5: Evaluates and selects appropriate strategies for collecting, recording, measuring, disseminating, and utilizing observation, screening, and assessment data which are responsive to the strengths and challenges of individual children and reflective of family goals and priorities.
CPD6: Selects appropriate content, aligned with relevant standards.
FCR6: Selects and implements culturally and linguistically appropriate procedures designed to gather information about children and families, including child and family strengths, priorities, concerns, and needs, and collaboratively integrates this information into child, family, and program goals.
PPD5: Engages in reflection and the design of a professional development plan with the goal of improving professional practice and fostering professional growth.

Related programs

Students interested in early childhood education may also be interested in:

For more information about teaching courses at Harper College, contact Admission Outreach at 847.925.6700, or submit a request information form. You can also apply online.