Oct 31, 2024  
2024-2025 Catalog 
    
2024-2025 Catalog

Early Childhood Education/Early Childhood Special Education (A.A.T.)


Official Title of Major: Early Childhood Education/Early Childhood Special Education, A.A.T.

Award: Associate of Arts in Teaching (A.A.T.)

Code: AAT.EDU.ECE

Total Credit Hours: 63

About the Teacher Education and Childcare Institute (TEACH)

Purpose: The Associate of Arts in Teaching (A.A.T.) degree is designed for students preparing to transfer to a four-year institution to obtain a baccalaureate degree and earn Maryland state teacher certification. The program incorporates foundation coursework in teacher education, content coursework in a selected certification area, and a field-based experience at the appropriate level of teacher certification.

This curriculum prepares students to transfer to an early childhood education or generic special education program at a four-year college or university in the state of Maryland. The Associate of Arts in Teaching (A.A.T.) degree has been articulated with all of the transfer programs in early childhood  education and generic special education in the state of Maryland. Upon completion of the A.A.T. degree, students are eligible to be admitted as an early childhood education or generic special education major at a Maryland transfer institution. The courses in this degree are not sufficient to meet all special education or inclusion course requirements for four-year teacher education programs.

Additional Degree Requirements

To earn the degree and be eligible for seamless transfer within Maryland, students must complete all required coursework and the following additional requirements:

  • Students must submit either a 3.0 cumulative grade point average on a 4.0 scale; or a 2.75-2.99 cumulative grade point average on a 4.0 scale and qualifying scores on the basic skills assessment for teacher licensure as established by the State Superintendent of Schools and as approved by the State Board of Education; 
  • Students must complete fieldwork requirements as indicated by the Teacher Education and Child Care Institute. Participation in the required fieldwork experience is contingent upon satisfactory completion of the criminal background check. For complete details, see the Teacher Education and Childcare Institute  section of this catalog.
  • Students must earn a C or better in all coursework required for the degree. 

Students may be required to meet additional admittance requirements at the chosen transfer institution.

The A.A.T. degrees parallel the Maryland State Department of Education grade bands:

  Early Childhood Education PreK-grade 3
  Elementary Education Grades 1-6
  Secondary Academic Areas Grades 7-12

Entrance/Admission Requirements


Criminal Background Check


Participation in the required fieldwork experience is contingent upon satisfactory completion of the criminal background check. For complete details, see the Teacher Education and Childcare Institute  section of this catalog.

Graduation Requirements


Refer to Academic Regulations on Graduation Requirements  for college-wide graduation requirements.

Honors Program Courses


If you qualify for the Honors Program, you may take honors versions  of some courses (such as ENG 101H , ENG 102H , etc.).

Planning Tools: Sequence of Courses


 

   
  Two-Year (Fall and Spring Terms): Open/Print this Planning Tool      

General Education Requirements: 34 credits


An approved list of general education courses can be found in the General Education and Diversity, Technology and Wellness Requirements  section of the catalog. Choose general education courses from the following topics:

English Composition: 6 credits


Biological and Physical Sciences: 8 credits


Social and Behavioral Sciences: 6 credits


Diversity Requirement


Satisfied by EDU 214 . 

Technology Requirement


Satisfied by EDU 214 . 

Wellness Requirement


Satisfied by EDU 135 .

Program Outcomes


Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:

LO 1 Child Development and Learning in Context  

 Describe the theories and principles of child development and learning and apply the theories and principles to their classroom teaching in multiple cultural and societal contexts.  

LO 2 Family-Teacher Partnerships and Community Connections  

 Demonstrate knowledge of supporting and empowering diverse families and communities through respectful, reciprocal relationships. 

LO 3 Child Observations, Documentation and Assessment 

 Use systematic observations, documentation, and other effective assessment strategies in a responsible way to positively influence children’s learning and development. 

LO 4 Developmentally, Culturally, and Linguistic Appropriate Teaching Practices 

 Identify and practice strategies for working and advocating for families of culturally and linguistically diverse students and students with disabilities in order to facilitate a child’s educational program. 

LO 5 Understanding Content and Developmental Approaches  

 Demonstrate an understanding of content areas, including literacy, and apply developmentally appropriate approaches to enhance children’s learning and development. 

LO 6 Professionalism as an Early Childhood Educator 

 Identify and conduct themselves as early childhood professionals who model self-care and use ethical guidelines and National Association for the Education of Young Children standards related to early childhood practice, and who are advocates for sound educational practices and policies.

This program aligns with all the college’s core competencies. 

Related Offerings


Students may wish to also review requirements for the related majors or programs linked below.

Career and Educational Advancement Resources