Early Childhood (A.A.S.)
HEGIS: 5503
SUNY CODE: 1327
The Early Childhood program is designed to prepare students for a career in teaching young children.
Students who plan to transfer into four-year teacher preparation programs should major in Liberal Arts and Sciences: Childhood Education, not Early Childhood.
The goals of this program are to:
- prepare students to interact with young children in a professional, supportive, and developmentally appropriate manner;
- prepare students to design and implement a developmentally appropriate curriculum that addresses children’s cognitive, social, emotional and physical needs; and
- prepare students to identify a wide variety of diverse cultural norms that impact children's learning.
Successful graduates from this program will be able to:
- interact with young children in professional, supportive and developmentally appropriate manner;
- design and implement a developmentally appropriate curriculum that addresses children’s cognitive, social, emotional and physical needs. They will also be able to utilize literary, artistic, and musical components in their lesson and curriculum development; and
- identify the diverse cultural differences that children are being raised with and how that impacts their learning. The students will be able to teach to a wide range of learning styles and incorporate developmentally appropriate teaching techniques which incorporate aesthetic awareness of other cultures.
Career Opportunities/Transfer Information
Graduates will be prepared to accept positions ranging from Teacher Assistant (once they pay test fee and pass the NYS Assessment of Teaching Assistant Skills (ATAS) offered through the state) to Teacher in Child Day Care Centers, Preschools, Head Start programs and a variety of other early childhood facilities. Herkimer College has Transfer Articulation Agreements with the following Institutions: SUNY Buffalo State and Utica University.
Program of Study
1st Year
1st Semester
| ED 100 | Intro Early Childhood Ed | 3 |
| EN 111 | College Writing | 3 |
| FS 100 | First Year Student Seminar | 1 |
| HU 110 | Fund of Art in Early Child Ed | 3 |
| | OR | |
| HU 113 | Drawing I | 3 |
| | OR | |
| HU 114 | Painting I | 3 |
| | OR | |
| HU 120 | Two Dim Design & Color | 3 |
| SS 151 | Intro Psychology | 3 |
| SS 163 | Marriage and Family | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 16 |
2nd Semester
| ED 200 | Curriculum and Methods in Teaching Early Childhood Education | 3 |
| ED 210 | Social Foundations of Education | 3 |
| ED 250 | Child Growth & Development | 3 |
| EN 112 | College Literature | 3 |
| | Natural Sciences and Scientific Reasoning | 3 |
| | OR | |
| | Natural Sciences & Scientific Reasoning Lab Science Selective 4 | 4 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15-16 |
2nd Year
3rd Semester
| ED 215 | Educating the Exceptional | 3 |
| ED 221 | Practicum I - Early Childhood | 3 |
| EN 225 | Public Speaking | 3 |
| | OR | |
| EN 228 | Interpersonal Communication | 3 |
| | Mathematics and Quantitative Reasoning Selective | 3 |
| | World Languages Selective | 3 |
| | Physical Education Activity | 1 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 16 |
Math Elective: Must be
MA 124 or higher.
MA 125 is recommended.
4th Semester
| ED 101 | Observation and Assessment in Young Children | 3 |
| ED 205 | Infant and Toddler Curriculum Development | 3 |
| ED 222 | Practicum II-Early Childhood | 3 |
| EN 117 | Literature for Children | 3 |
| | World Languages Selective | 3 |
| | Physical Education Activity | 1 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 16 |
Degree Requirements:
In order to earn the Associate in Applied Science degree in Early Childhood, students MUST:
Attain a “C” or better in the following courses:
| ED 100 | Intro Early Childhood Ed | 3 |
| ED 101 | Observation and Assessment in Young Children | 3 |
| ED 200 | Curriculum and Methods in Teaching Early Childhood Education | 3 |
| ED 205 | Infant and Toddler Curriculum Development | 3 |
| ED 221 | Practicum I - Early Childhood | 3 |
Demonstrate positive interpersonal skills, professional behavior, ethical behavior and safe and appropriate teaching practices;
Earn a Certificate of Completion for the State Education Department approved workshop entitled “New York State Child Abuse and Maltreatment.”
Practicum Requirements
Required
| ED 221 | Practicum I - Early Childhood | 3 |
| ED 222 | Practicum II-Early Childhood | 3 |
1. Successful completion with a grade of C or better in the following:
| ED 100 | Intro Early Childhood Ed | 3 |
| ED 101 | Observation and Assessment in Young Children | 3 |
| ED 200 | Curriculum and Methods in Teaching Early Childhood Education | 3 |
| ED 205 | Infant and Toddler Curriculum Development | 3 |
One of the requirements for the completion of Practicums I & II, is to take either HE 128-First Aid & CPR: Resp to Emer., OR complete the current CPR certification from the American Heart Association.
2. A physical examination and Mantoux TB Immunization performed within six (6) months of the scheduled practicum starting date.
3. Written approval (practicum contract) from both the appropriate Early Childhood faculty member and practicum site supervisor PRIOR to the semester in which the practicum will take place.
4. Students must follow the requirements as outlined in the Early Childhood Practicum Handbook.
5. Students will be required to meet their own travel needs during all practicum assignments.
Total Credit Hours: 63-64
Students who have previously been convicted of a felony are advised that their prior criminal history may impede their ability to complete the requirements of this program. For more information, visit www.herkimer.edu/felony.
For more information, contact the Academic Division at (315) 866-0300, ext. 8240 or toll free 1-844-GO-4-HERK, ext. 8240.