Early Childhood Education - A.A. Degree (Transfer)
A Teacher Education Area of Study
Application Code 130
For curriculum information, contact the Social Sciences and Teacher Education Division—Room ST-149—443-518-1620.
Early Childhood Education is defined as grades Pre-K through three in the state of Maryland. This curriculum is designed for students who are interested in transferring to an Early Childhood Education program at a four-year college or university outside of Maryland as well as students who are not eligible to complete the requirements of the Associate of Arts in Teaching (A.A.T.) degree. While this curriculum is designed to prepare students to pursue a bachelor’s degree program at the college or university level, students are advised to check the requirements of the institution to which they intend to transfer.
General Education Core
Students enrolled in transfer patterns must take a minimum of 30 credits in General Education. Each student’s total of general education and required courses must equal at least 60 semester hours of credit.
English Composition
Arts & Humanities
Social & Behavioral Sciences
Biological & Physical Sciences
| - | Biological Science with lab (BIOL) | 4 |
| - | Physical Science with lab (CHEM, PHYS, GEOL, ASTR) | 4 |
Mathematics
Core Electives
Required Courses Related to Major
A graduate should be able to
- 1. Explain the major concepts, principles, theories, and research related to development of children and young adolescents to construct learning opportunities that support individual students’ development, acquisition of knowledge, and motivation.
- 2. Use the central concepts, tools of inquiry, and structures of content for students across the K-8 grades and be able to create meaningful learning experiences that develop student competence in subject matter for various developmental levels.
- 3. Plan and implement instruction based on knowledge of students, learning theory, subject matter, curriculum goals, and community.
- 4. Describe how students differ in their development and approaches to learning, and create instructional opportunities that are adapted to diverse learners.
- 5. Use a variety of teaching strategies that encourage students’ development of critical thinking, problem solving, and performance skills.
- 6. Apply their knowledge and understanding of individual and group motivation and behavior among students K-8 to foster active engagement in learning, self-motivation, and positive social interaction and to create supportive learning environments.
- 7. Use their knowledge and understanding of effective verbal, nonverbal, and media communication techniques to foster active inquiry, collaboration, and supportive interaction in the classroom.
- 8. Use formal and informal assessment strategies to plan, evaluate, and strengthen instruction that will promote continuous intellectual, social, emotional, and physical development of each student.
- 9. Evaluate the effects of their professional ethical decisions and ethical actions on students, parents, and other professionals in the learning community and actively seek out opportunities to grow professionally.
- 10. Discuss the importance of establishing and maintaining a positive collaborative relationship with families to promote the intellectual, social, and physical development of each student.
- 11. Access, evaluate, and process information efficiently and effectively.
- 12. Use technology effectively and appropriately to interact electronically.
- 13. Use technology to communicate information in a variety of formats.
- 14. Identify the legal, social, and ethical issues related to technology use.
Total Credit Hours: 60
Education requirements vary among transfer institutions and are currently being evaluated. It is essential to meet with your advisor regularly to be aware of program and certification changes.