Preschool/Grade 3 Education

Associate in Arts

Preschool/Grade 3 Education

Spring Registration Callout

The Preschool to Grade 3 Education 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. This program also provides a foundation of courses suitable for students interested in certification in early childhood education at a bachelor’s degree level.  Transfer requirements (including Praxis Core) of the four-year college must be satisfied for admittance into that college and its teacher certification program.

For more information, contact faculty advisor, Lisa Stein or contact department chair, Dr. Beth Sanders-Rabinowitz.

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.

Degree Requirements

Courses Credits

GENERAL EDUCATION COURSES

When a General Education course is not specified, refer to the list of approved General Education courses.

46 credits
Communication Courses
 (9 credits)
    ENGL101-Composition I
3
    ENGL102-Composition II
3
    COMM110 or COMM120
3
Mathematics-Science-Technology Courses
 (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 Courses
 (7 credits)
    PSYC/EDUC110-Child Development: Theory and Practice
4
    SOCL101-Principles of Sociology
3
Humanities Courses
 (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 Courses
 (6 credits)
    Choose two: HIST101, HIST102, HIST103 or HIST104
6
Diversity Courses
 (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: 0-4 Credits

(Is fulfilled with CISM125, CISM132, testing or departmental portfolio.)

TOTAL CREDITS REQUIRED FOR DEGREE
60

(EDPR) EFFECTIVE FALL 2020

 

Recommended Sequence of Courses

First Semester (16 credits)

 

Course Code Course Name Course Credits

EDUC/PSYC110

Child Development: Theory & Practice

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)

 

Course Code Course Name Course Credits

MATH220

Statistical Methods

4

EDUC115

Planning the Preschool Curriculum

3

ENGL102

Composition II

3

SOCL101

Introduction to Sociology

3

 

Third Semester (16 credits)

 

Course Code Course Name Course 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)

 

Course Code Course Name Course 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

 

View the naeyc 2019-2020 Annual Report.