AAS, Early Childhood Development (UAA)

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:

1. Create a healthy, respectful, supportive, and challenging learning environment based on knowledge of child development.
2. Create respectful, reciprocal relationships that support and empower families, and involve all families in their children’s development and learning.
3. 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.
4. Design effective approaches to teaching and learning, implement and evaluate experiences that promote positive development and learning for all children.
5. Incorporate knowledge of content areas to create appropriate experiences for young children.
6. Use ethical guidelines and other professional standards related to early childhood practice.
7. 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.