Program Description
The Early Childhood Care and Education degree program is designed to prepare students for a variety of careers in the field of early childhood education. The program emphasizes a combination of early childhood care and education theory and practical application as well as general core competencies necessary for successful employment. Graduates have qualifications to be employed in early care and education settings including child care centers, Head start, Georgia Pre-K programs, and elementary school paraprofessional positions. Graduates of this program will receive one of five areas of specialization: program administration, paraprofessional, infant/toddler development, family child care, and exceptionalities.
Career Information
Occupation
Child, Family, and School Social Workers
Career Projections
The number of jobs in this field is expected to increase by 18% nationally and 12% in the State of Georgia over the next several years. Estimated salaries in this field start at $45,000 a year.
Labor market data was compiled using Economic Modeling Specialists, international and is updated annually.
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Admission Requirements
General College Admissions Requirements
Program Specific Admissions Requirement
Criminal Background Check: All Early Childhood Care and Education students are required to submit a completed state and federal criminal records background check prior to registering for Practicum and Internship courses. The State of Georgia has a law regarding the placement of persons with criminal records in childcare facilities. Anyone who has been convicted of a felony offense, or of neglecting or abusing a dependent person, a sexual offense or any other "covered crime" will not be allowed to work in a childcare facility. If you are affected by this law, or think you may be, discuss your situation immediately with the department chair. Because your employment options may be severely limited in the early childhood profession, a person who has received an unsatisfactory criminal records check is discouraged from pursuing the ECCE program of study and may need to reconsider their chosen field of study. Students will not be allowed to take ECCE 1121 and ECCE 2245/2246, if their criminal history/arrest record request form (from any police department in the state of Georgia or federal background check) comes back with an arrest history.
*To be employed in childcare centers, public schools, or Head Start centers, an individual must have a satisfactory criminal record check. Persons who have been convicted of a felony offense are not employable in the childcare field. Evidence of a current satisfactory criminal record background check is required at the student's expense prior to participation in practicum or internship.
Blood and Airborne Pathogens
Students enrolled in Category I and II programs at Atlanta Technical College will be performing tasks in which there is a normal occurrence for exposure to blood, other potentially infectious body materials, and airborne pathogens.
These tasks will be performed in the classroom, laboratory, and clinical activities for each occupational training program/course. Students will be required to present documentation of Hepatitis B and Tuberculosis immunizations as a result of potential occupational exposure. Students should contact their program directors for more information. Policies and procedures regarding blood and airborne pathogens may be reviewed at https://tcsg.edu/tcsgpolicy/tcsg_policy_manual.pdf.
Program Contact Information
Sharron McIntyre
Program Chair, Early Childhood
Academic Building C1109D
smcintyre@atlantatech.edu
404-225-4580
Jim Gale
Instructor, Early Childhood
Academic Building C1109E
jgale@atlantatech.edu
404-225-4440
Nan Walker
Instructor, Early Childhood
Academic Building C1109F
nwalker@atlantatech.edu
404-225-4633
Program Length and Cost
Minimum Program Length in Semester Terms: 5 terms
Program Credit Hours: 76
Estimated Program Cost: $10,636
Required Courses
General Education Courses (18 Credits)
Area I – Language Arts/Communication - (6 Credits)
Take both courses:
Area II - Social/Behavioral Sciences - (3 Credits)
Area III – Natural Science/Mathematics – (3 Credits)
| | Select one of the following Math Courses | |
| MATH 1100 | Quantitative Skills and Reasoning | 3 |
| | Or | |
| MATH 1101 | Mathematical Modeling | 3 |
| | Or | |
| MATH 1111 | College Algebra | 3 |
| | Or | |
| MATH 1103 | Quantitative Skills and Reasoning | 3 |
Area IV - Humanities/Fine Arts -(3 Credits)
Select an Area IV Humanities/Fine Arts course:
General Education Courses - Associate Degree
| XXXX xxxx | Humanities-Fine Arts Elective | 3 |
General Education Course Elective - (3 Credits)
Select a General Education Course that has not already been used to meet a requirement (3 credits)
General Education Courses - Associate Degree
| XXXX xxxx | General Education Elective | 3 |
Occupational Courses (46 Credits)
Select one of the following Specializations (6 Credits)
Paraprofessional
| ECCE 2310 | Paraprofessional Methods and Materials | 3 |
| ECCE 2312 | Paraprofessional Roles and Practices | 3 |
Program Administration
Infant and Toddler Development
Family Child Care
Exceptionalities
| ECCE 2360 | Classroom Strategies for Exceptional Children | 3 |
| ECCE 2362 | Exploring Your Role in the Exceptional Environment | 3 |
Total Credit Hours: 77
Program Outcomes
1. Graduates will be able to identify and understand professional codes and ethical conduct appropriate in Early Childhood Care and Education
2. Graduates will be able to identify and apply individual and group guidance and problem solving techniques which encourage and teach positive social skills and interaction among children
3. Graduates will be able to develop appropriate curricula, instructional practices, and assessment strategies for early childhood care and education programs
4. Graduates will be able to identify, practice, and promote a well-organized, developmentally appropriate learning environment and life skills
5. Graduates will be able to identify and practice a safe physical, psychological, and healthy learning environment that promotes development, learning, cultural diversity, and inclusion.