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AAS, Early Childhood Development (UAA)
UAA College of Education Mission
We prepare educators and support the lifelong learning of professionals to embrace diversity and to be intellectually and ethically strong, resilient, and passionate in their work with Alaska's learners, families, and communities.
The Early Childhood Development Certificate program and the Associate of Applied Science in Early Childhood Development program prepare paraeducators and other professionals to work in early care and education settings, including the public school system.
The Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education prepares professionals to work with young children from birth through age 8. The Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Early Childhood Pre-K-Third Grade prepares professionals who already have baccalaureate degrees to work with young children from birth through 8 years in preschool/primary school settings. Successful completion of either the Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education or the Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Early Childhood Pre-K-Third Grade program requirements leads to an institutional recommendation for initial teacher certification with an endorsement in Pre-K-Third Grade.
All programs are developed to meet the National Association for the Education of Young Children guidelines for personnel preparation. Student outcomes for the four early childhood programs are based on the Standards for Alaska’s Teachers located at www.eed.state.ak.us/ standards. Outcomes are also based on the professional preparation standards of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) found at www.naeyc.org.
The students will demonstrate the following outcomes:
- Create a healthy, respectful, supportive, and challenging learning environment based on knowledge of child development.
- Create respectful, reciprocal relationships that support and empower families, and involve all families in their children’s development and learning.
- Use systematic observations, documentation, and other effective assessment strategies in a responsible way, in partnership with families and other professionals, to positively influence children’s development and learning.
- Design effective approaches to teaching and learning, implement and evaluate experiences that promote positive development and learning for all children.
- Incorporate knowledge of content areas to create appropriate experiences for young children.
- Use ethical guidelines and other professional standards related to early childhood practice.
- Demonstrate knowledgeable, reflective, and critical perspectives on professional practice, making informed decisions that integrate knowledge from a variety of sources.
All candidates in the Associate of Applied Science Early Childhood
Development program must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.00 or
above in all EDEC courses.
General University Requirements
Complete the General University Requirements for Associate Degrees located in the University of Alaska Anchorage Catalog
Communication and General Requirements
1. Oral Communication Requirements: 3
COMM A111 Fundamentals of Oral Communication (3)
or
COMM A235 Small Group Communication (3)
or
COMM A237 Interpersonal Communication (3)
or
COMM A241 Public Speaking (3)
2. Written Communication Requirements: 6
ENGL A111 Methods of Written Communication (3)
and one of the following:
ENGL A211 Academic Writing About Literature (3)
ENGL A212 Technical Writing (3)
ENGL A213 Writing in the Social and Natural Sciences (3)
ENGL A214 Persuasive Writing (3)
3. General Requirements: 6
MATH A105 Intermediate Algebra (or higher) (3)
and
Choose 3 credits from humanities, natural sciences, or social sciences courses from
the General
Course Requirement Classification List located at the beginning of this chapter.
Background Check Requirements
See Field Placements in the College of Education section of the UAA Catalog
Major Requirements
1. Complete the following required courses:
DN A145 Child Nutrition
3
EDEC A105 Introduction to the Field of Early Childhood 3
EDEC A106 Creativity and the Arts in Early Childhood 3
EDEC A201 Early Childhood Practitioner Roles
and Responsibilities 2
EDEC A206 Integrated Curriculum for Young Children 3
EDEC A210 Guiding Young Children 3
EDEC A241 Infant and Toddler Development 3
EDEC A242 Family and Community Partnerships 3
EDEC A292 Early Childhood Practicum Seminar 1
EDEC A295 Early Childhood Practicum 3
EDEC A303 Young Children in Inclusive Settings 3
EDSE A212 Human Development and Learning (3) 3
or
PSY A365 Child and Adolescent Development (3)
EDSE A212L Human Development and Learning Lab 1
2. Complete 12 credits of electives. EDEC A100 Fundamentals in Early Childhood is recommended.
Candidates are encouraged to discuss elective choices with an advisor.
3. A total of 61 credits is required for the degree.
Students who complete the Undergraduate Certificate and AAS in Early Childhood will be proficient entry-level child care workers, have knowledge of child development, and demonstrate basic abilities in child care paraprofessional skills.