Career-Specific Program Overview
The Early Childhood Development (ECD) program combines classroom study and field experience with children from birth to eight years of age. Students gain an understanding of the social, emotional, intellectual, and physical growth and development of all children within an inclusive environment.
Completion of the A.A.S. program includes 330 hours of field experience, which is gained through UACCM’s Earle Love Child Study Center — a fully-licensed child care center — and other quality sites.
Career Opportunities
- Child care facility owners and directors
- Child care center directors
- Head Start teachers
- Infant/toddler teachers
- Preschool teachers
- Assistant teachers
- Paraprofessionals
- Arkansas Better Chance Preschool paraprofessionals
Degree Options
Program Learning Outcomes
Students who successfully complete the Certificate of Proficiency in Early Childhood Development will be able to:
Child Development and Learning in Context
- Establish an understanding of children’s needs across multiple domains.
- Recognize the multiple influences on early development and learning.
- Make evidence-based decisions on development and learning within the cultural context.
Family-Teacher Partnerships and Community Connections
- Demonstrate an understanding of family and community characteristics.
- Support and engage families and communities through reciprocal relationships.
Professionalism in Early Childhood Education
- Identify oneself with the early childhood field.
ECD Program Learning Outcomes align with NAEYC Standards.
Program Learning Outcomes
Students who successfully complete the Technical Certificate in Early Childhood Development will be able to:
Child Development and Learning in Context
- Establish an understanding of children’s needs across multiple domains.
- Demonstrate an understanding of each child as an individual.
- Recognize the multiple influences on early development and learning.
- Make evidence-based decisions on development and learning within the cultural context.
Family-teacher Partnerships and Community Connections
- Demonstrate an understanding of family and community characteristics.
- Support and engage families and communities through reciprocal relationships.
- Involve families and community in the child’s development and learning.
Developmentally, Culturally, and Linguistically Appropriate Teaching Practices
- Demonstrate positive and supportive interactions with children.
- Describe a variety of strategies and tools to support learning.
- Use a broad range of developmentally appropriate teaching and learning approaches to promote positive outcomes for each child.
Knowledge, Application, and Integration of Academic Content in the Early Childhood Curriculum
- Use the central concepts, methods, inquiry tools, and structure of content areas.
- Demonstrate knowledge of pedagogical content and resources within the field of early childhood.
- Design, implement, and evaluate developmentally meaningful and challenging curriculum for each individual child.
Professionalism in Early Childhood Education
- Identify oneself with the early childhood field.
- Uphold ethical standards.
ECD Program Learning Outcomes align with NAEYC Standards.
Program Learning Outcomes
Students who successfully complete the Associate of Applied Science degree in Early Childhood Development will be able to:
Child Development and Learning in Context
- Establish an understanding of children’s needs across multiple domains.
- Demonstrate an understanding of each child as an individual.
- Recognize the multiple influences on early development and learning.
- Make evidence-based decisions based on development and learning within the cultural context.
Family-Teacher Partnerships and Community Connections
- Demonstrate an understanding of family and community characteristics.
- Support and engage families and communities through reciprocal relationships.
- Involve families and community in the child’s development and learning.
Child Observation, Documentation, and Assessment
- Utilize assessment tools to understand the goals, benefits, and uses of assessment.
- Demonstrate knowledge of assessment partnerships with families, and professional colleagues to build effective learning environments.
- Construct appropriate goals, curriculum, and teaching strategies for young children.
- Utilize assessment data to promote positive outcomes for children.
Developmentally, Culturally, and Linguistically Appropriate Teaching Practices
- Demonstrate positive and supportive interactions with children.
- Describe a variety of strategies and tools to support learning.
- Use a broad range of developmentally appropriate teaching and learning approaches to promote positive outcomes for each child.
Knowledge, Application, and Integration of Academic Content in the Early Childhood Curriculum
- Use the central concepts, methods, inquiry tools, and structure of content areas.
- Demonstrate knowledge of pedagogical content and resources within the field of early childhood.
- Design, implement, and evaluate developmentally meaningful and challenging curriculum for each individual child.
Professionalism in Early Childhood Education
- Identify oneself with the early childhood field.
- Uphold ethical standards.
- Utilize technology effectively to support learning and development.
- Engage in continuous collaborative learning.
- Reflect on engagement in informed advocacy for young children and the early childhood profession.
ECD Program Learning Outcomes align with NAEYC Standards.
The A.A.S. in Early Childhood Development program at UACCM is accredited by the Commission on Early Childhood Higher Education Programs of the National Association for the Education of Young Children, 1313 L Street NW, Suite 500, Washington DC 20005. (800) 424-2460 ext. 8007. The accreditation term runs from November 2019 to July 2025.
T.E.A.C.H. provides comprehensive scholarships to enable educators to take coursework leading to credentials and degrees by making it possible for them to afford both the time and expense of going to school.
Requirements
- Clean criminal background check
- Clean child maltreatment check
- FBI background check (if an Arkansas resident for less than six years)
- Some courses require recent influenza immunization and TB test.
- Ability to lift up to 50 pounds and stand for prolonged periods of time.