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Program Overview

Early Childhood Education, Associate in Science (A.S.)

Our Mission: The Associate in Science (AS) Degree in Early Childhood Education (ECE) will provide early childhood educators with a solid foundation of knowledge of early childhood education based on developmentally appropriate practice and child growth and development.

The A.S. degree in Early Childhood Education is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). This program provides students with a strong foundation in early childhood knowledge and prepares them for entry or continuation in the workforce. Students can also immediately begin the B.S. degree in Early Childhood Education upon conferral of the A.S. degree. Students will learn about developmentally appropriate practices for children from birth through 8 years old. There are multiple opportunities to observe and participate in classroom settings. Field experiences and the internship include a variety of ages and settings. Students will be eligible for at least one specialization certificate as part of the program.

The Associate in Science Early Childhood Education Program at Florida Gateway College is accredited by the Commission on the Accreditation of Early Childhood Higher Education Programs of the National Association for the Education of Young Children.

The current accreditation term runs from July 1, 2017, through July 31, 2024. 

Review the guided degree pathway where you will find a detailed plan for your courses and other requirements each semester that prepare you for graduation and your transfer goals.

Locations

Florida Gateway College Online

Testing Entrance Requirements

Students must demonstrate competence in reading, math, or language through placement examination or by passing the appropriate reading, math or language courses, if not exempt by state board of education rule 6A-10.0315. A student who does not achieve minimum scores will be required to take developmental educations classes in English, math, reading, and SLS 1501 the College Experience.

Hours

Classes are delivered online.

Costs

  • Tuition: $6,199.20 (up to an additional $600.00 for online fees)
  • Lab fees: $120.00
  • Textbooks: $2,121.75

100%

Online

100%

Job Placement Rate

100+

Enrolled ’19-’20

Careers at a Glance

Starting Salaries

Salaries begin at $13.82 per hour.

Employment Opportunities

Graduates of this program have a variety of career position opportunities, including becoming a Child Care Teacher or Teacher Assistant.

Employers of FGC Graduates

  • Happy House
  • Open Arms
  • RCMA Child Development Center
  • Suwannee Valley 4Cs

Program Details

Admission Requirements

To be officially considered for this program, a student must have a high school diploma or GED certificate, submit an application to FGC, and take a placement exam if not exempt by the state board of education rule 6A-10.0315.

Program Notes
  • This program may be started at the beginning of each semester.
  • This program is accredited by the NAEYC.
  • This program offers students:
    • Experiential learning opportunities
    • Highly qualified professors
Program Guide & Syllabi

Student Guidebook

First Year:

Fall Semester: 12 Credit Hours

  • ENC 1101 – Freshman Composition I 3 credits **
  • MGF 1106 – Mathematics for Liberal Arts I 3 credits ** or
  • MGF 1107 – Mathematics for Liberal Arts II 3 credits ** or
  • Any General Education MAC or STA course
  • PSY 2012 – General Psychology I 3 credits **
  • MUL 1010 – Music Appreciation 3 credits ** or
  • HUM 2551 – Philosophy and Religion 3 credits **

Spring Semester: 13 Credit Hours

  • CHD 1220 – Child Growth & Development: Infant & Preschool 3 credits (Must be passed with a C or better)
  • BSC 2010C – General Biology I with Lab 4 credits, 3 hours lecture, 3 hours lab (Must be passed with a C or better)
  • EEC 1001 – Introduction to Early Childhood Education 3 credits (Must be passed with a C or better)
  • EEC 2300 – Cognitive Experiences for Young Children 3 credits ** (Must be passed with a C or better)

Summer Term A: 6 Credit Hours

  • HUN 2410 – Basic Childhood Nutrition 3 credits **
  • EEC 1600 – Guiding the Young Child 3 credits

Summer Term B: 3 Credit Hours

  • EEC 2401 – Home and Community 3 credits **

Second Year:

Fall Semester: 12 Credit Hours

  • EEC 1601 – Child Study 3 credits **
  • EEC 2200 – Curriculum Overview 3 credits
  • EDF 1005 – Introduction to the Teaching Profession 3 credits ** (Must be
  • passed with a C or better)
  • EEC 1309 – Early Childhood Education Foundations 3 credits

Spring Semester: 14 Credit Hours

  • SPC 2608 – Public Speaking 3 credits **
  • EEC 2949 – Internship-Child Development 2 credits (Must be passed with a C or better)
  • EME 2040 – Introduction to Technology for Educators 3 credits **
  • Elective 3 credits
  • Elective 3 credits
  • Early Childhood Education A.S.

Total 60 Credit Hours

Note(s):

  • *Staff Credential (formerly known as CDAE) meets requirements for EEC 1001, EEC 2300, and CHD 1220.
  • **Distance Learning Options Available.
  • Recommended A.S. Early Childhood Education Electives or any general education transferable elective:
    • CHD 1312 – Infants and Toddlers
    • EEC 2002 – Operating Early Childhood Facility*
    • EEX 2013 – Special Needs in Early Childhood Education**
    • EDF 2085 – Introduction to Diversity for Educators**
    • CHD 1339 – Motor Development and Play
Learning Outcomes

STUDENTS WILL DEMONSTRATE AN UNDERSTANDING OF HOW TO SUPPORT CHILDREN’S DEVELOPMENT AND LEARNING IN CONTEXT

STUDENTS WILL DEMONSTRATE THEIR ABILITY TO CREATE POSITIVE FAMILY-TEACHER PARTNERSHIPS

STUDENTS WILL DEMONSTRATE THEIR ABILITY TO OBSERVE, DOCUMENT, AND ASSESS CHILDREN

STUDENTS WILL DEMONSTRATE THEIR UNDERSTANDING OF DEVELOPMENTALLY, CULTURALLY, AND LINGUISTICALLY APPROPRIATE TEACHING PRACTICES

STUDENTS WILL DEMONSTRATE KNOWLEDGE, APPLICATION, AND INTEGRATION OF ACADEMIC CONTENT IN THE EARLY CHILDHOOD CURRICULUM

STUDENTS WILL DEMONSTRATE PROFESSIONALISM AS AN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATOR

OUTCOME MEASURES

Book List & Materials
  • BSC 2010C
    • Simon, E. J., Dickey, J. L., & Reece J. B. (2019). Campbell essential biology with physiology, books a la carte plus modified mastering biology with Pearson etext – access card package (6th ed.). New Jersey: Pearson.
    • Labster. (n.d.). BSC10TS-12 (pt). Labster, Inc.
  • ENC 1101
    • Lunsford, A., Brody, M., Ede, L., Moss, B., Papper, C. C., & Walters, K. (2020). Everyone’s an author with readings (3rd ed.). New York: W. W. Norton & Company.
  • MUL 1010
    • Kamien, R. (2018). Music: An appreciation (12th ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill Higher Education.
  • PSY 2012
    • Grison, S. & Gazzaniga, M. (2018). Psychology in your life (3rd ed.). New York: W. W. Norton & Company.
  • MGF 1106
    • Angel, A. R., Abbott, C. D., & Runde, D. (2017). A survey of mathematics with applications (10th ed.). New Jersey: Pearson.
  • SPC 2608
    • Floyd, K. (2019). Public speaking matters (2nd ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill Higher Education.
  • CHD 1220
    • No textbook required.
  • EEC 1001
    • NAEYC. (2022). Developmentally appropriate practice in early childhood programs. (4th edition). NAEYC.
  • EEC 1309
    • Beloglovsky, M. & Daly, L. (2015). Early learning theories made visible. St. Paul, MN: Redleaf Press.
  • EEC 1600
    • Marion, M. (2019). Guidance of young children (10th ed.). New Jersey: Pearson.
  • EEC 1601
    • No textbook required.
  • EEC 2200
    • No textbook required.
  • EEC 2300
    • Gronlund, G. (2014). Making early learning standards come alive. (2nd edition). Red Leaf Press.
  • EEC 2401
    • Ritland, V. (2020). Transformative education; Relationship based collaborations with parents and colleagues. (2nd edition). Kendal Hunt Publishing Company.
  • EEC 2949
    • No textbook required.
  • HUN 2410
    • No textbook required.
  • EEX 2013
    • Howard, V.F., Williams, B.F., Miller, D. and Aiden, E. (2014). Very young children with special needs (5th ed.). Pearson.
  • CHD 1312
    • Wittmer, D.S. & Petersen, S. (2014). Infant and toddler development and responsive program planning: A relationship-based approach (3rd edition). Pearson.