Associate of Applied Science
Early Childhood Education
Associate of Applied Science in Early Childhood Education consists of 60 credits, which includes the 24 early childhood education core credits, additional professional elective credits and general education credits. Completing this degree meets the training requirements for Level V on the Montana Early Care and Education Career Path.
The Associate of Applied Science: Early Childhood Education Degree prepares early childhood practitioners to meet the unique needs of children from birth through age eight and their families in a variety of early childhood settings including child care homes and centers, Head Starts, pre-schools, etc. The program features a lab with each early childhood course, allowing ample opportunity to "learn through doing". Students also have many opportunities to interact with peers and professionals in the field. This is an articulated degree through Tech Prep. Courses are offered in Billings, Bozeman, Butte, Dillon, Great Falls, Hamilton, Havre, Helena, and Missoula.
General Education Core ..13-17 credits
Behavioral/Social Sciences (4)
MATH 007 or higher (4)
Natural Science (4)
ENG 102 Foundations of Language (4)
COMS 101 Intro to Computers* (1)
Early Childhood Core 24 credits
ED 142 Intro to Early Childhood (1)
ED 143 Intro to Early Childhood Lab (1)
ED 144 Creating an Environment for Learning (2)
ED 145 Creating an Environment for Learning Lab (1)
ED 240 Positive Child Discipline (2)
ED 241 Positive Child Discipline Lab (1)
ED 242 Meeting the Needs of the Family (2)
ED 243 Meeting the Needs of the Family Lab (1)
ED 250 Child Growth & Development (3)
ED 251 Child Growth & Development Lab (1)
ED 320 EC Curriculum I (2)
ED 321 EC Curriculum I Lab (1)
ED 324 EC Curriculum II (2)
ED 325 EC Curriculum II Lab (1)
ED 344 EC Professional (2)
ED 345 EC Professional Lab (1)
MUS/ART/DRAMA (any course with art, music or drama rubric) (3-4)
Health, Safety or Nutrition (any course dealing with these subjects) (3-4)
Professional Electives (11-17)
ED 200 Early Childhood Internship (6)
ED 326 Infant/Toddler Dev/Group Care (4)
ED 341 Exceptional Learner (3)
ED 421 Creativity/Young Child: Exploring Reggio Emilia & Project Approach (3)
ED 279 Curriculum for Diverse Learners (2)
Total Credits for AAS in Early Childhood Education 60 credits
*Western students must demonstrate computer competency as a requirement for graduation. All students must pass a computer competency test, which is based on national standards. COMS courses are available to assist in development of skills necessary to pass the test. Contact Denise Holland at 406-683-7203 regarding competency test.
A student must maintain a 3.0 average in the Early Childhood core courses with no grade lower than a C (ED 142/143, ED 250/251, ED 144/145, ED 240/241, ED 242/243, ED 320/321, ED 324/325 and ED 344/345)