Preschool/Grade 3 Education

Associate in Arts

Preschool/Grade 3 Education

This degree prepares students to work with children in early childhood centers and social service agencies. It provides the student with approved academic training for group teacher positions in state-licensed child care facilities. The degree also provides a foundation of courses suitable for students interested in certification in early childhood education at a bachelor’s degree level.

For further information about this degree, contact faculty advisor, Lisa Stein, at (609) 343-4960 or lstein@atlantic.edu, or contact area coordinator, Heather Boone, at (609) 343-4934/hboone@atlantic.edu.

Upon Completion of this program students will be able to:

Analyze major theories of child development with emphasis on similarities and differences and the interaction of the four learning domains and models from infancy through age eight;
Evaluate family and community characteristics in relation to their role in the economic, political and cultural institutions of society;
Apply the goals, benefits and uses of assessment using observation, documentation and other appropriate assessment tools and approaches;
Recognize and apply effective approaches, strategies and tools to positively influence children’s development and learning;
Articulate and uphold ethical standards and other professional guidelines and engage in informed advocacy for children and the profession;
Document children’s development and apply the documentation to curriculum development.

Courses	Credits
GENERAL EDUCATION COURSES - 46 credits
When a General Education course is not specified, refer to the list of approved General Education courses.
Communication (9 credits)
ENGL101-Composition I	3
ENGL102-Composition II	3
COMM110 or COMM120	3
Mathematics-Science-Technology (12 credits)
MATH220-Statistical Methods	4
General Education Science course (life science, BIOL course)	4
General Education Science course (physical science, CHEM, ESCI or PHYS)	4
Social Science (7 credits)
PSYC/EDUC110-Child Development: Theory and Practice	4
SOCL101-Principles of Sociology	3
Humanities (9 credits)
Choose ARTS103, ARTS108, ARTS109, ARTS115, DANC170, MUSC100, SPAN111, or THEA110. (Select SPAN111 if you plan to transfer to Rutgers)	3
General Education Humanities course (Select SPAN112 if you plan to transfer to Rutgers)	3
Choose ENGL104, ENGL201, ENGL205, ENGL206, ENGL213 or ENGL214	3
History (6 credits)
Choose two: HIST101, HIST102, HIST103 or HIST104	6
Diversity (3 credits)
Choose GEOG102 or GEOG110	3
TOTAL GENERAL EDUCATION CREDITS	46
PROGRAM COURSES - 14 credits
EDUC101-Historical Foundations of American Education	3
EDUC103-Roles of the Early Childhood Professional	2
EDUC115-Planning the Preschool Curriculum	3
EDUC252-Early Childhood Practicum	3
PSYC/EDUC226-Psychology of Exceptionality	3
TOTAL PROGRAM CREDITS REQUIRED	14
Technological Competency: 0-3 Credits
TOTAL CREDITS REQUIRED FOR DEGREE	60
(EDUP) EFFECTIVE FALL 2019

Recommended sequence of courses:
First Semester (16 credits)
EDUC/PSYC110	Child Development: Theory & Practive	4
EDUC/CDCC103	Roles of the Child Care Professional	2
ENGL101	Composition I	3
Choose	ARTS103, ARTS108, ARTS109, ARTS115, DANC170, MUSC100, SPAN111 or THEA110	3
Gen Ed	Science course	4
Second Semester (13 credits)
MATH220	Statistical Methods	4
EDUC115	Planning the Preschool Curriculum	3
ENGL102	Composition II	3
SOCL101	Introduction to Sociology	3
Third Semester (16 credits)
PSYC226	Psychology of Exceptionality	3
Gen Ed	Science course	4
Choose	ENGL104, ENGL201, ENGL205, ENGL206, ENGL213 or ENGL214	3
Choose	HIST101, HIST102, HIST103 or HIST104	3
Choose	COMM110 or COMM120	3
Fourth Semester (15 credits)
EDUC101	Historical Foundations of American Education	3
EDUC252	Early Childhood Practicum	3
Choose	HIST101, HIST102, HIST103 or HIST104	3
Gen Ed	Humanities course	3
Choose	GEOG102 or GEOG110	3