Early Childhood Education Diploma

The Early Childhood Education Diploma at Southeastern Community College prepares students to work in early childhood settings and to manage the skills needed to support children’s growth, learning, and well-being. Students gain foundational knowledge in early childhood education, child health, safety, and nutrition, and child growth and development, and they also study foundational understanding of students with disabilities and talented and gifted students.

The curriculum includes introductory and educational foundations courses plus field experience. Students complete EDU-920, which provides observation of a teacher in a local classroom and supervised work with students under a cooperating teacher. Other key courses include Infant/Toddler Care and Education, Exploring Careers: Human Services, Early Childhood Curriculum I, and Exceptional Learners.

Graduates may work with children from birth to eight years of age in settings such as child care centers, preschools, child development homes, or public and private schools. The program also addresses competencies for beginning the assessment and testing process for the Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential.

Modules

• ECE-103 Introduction to Early Childhood Education
• EDU-212 Educational Foundations
• EDU-920 Field Experience
• ECE-133 Child Health, Safety, and Nutrition
• ENG-105 Composition I
• SDV-132 CTE Career Exploration
• ECE-158 Early Childhood Curriculum I
• ECE-170 Child Growth and Development
• EDU-245 Exceptional Learners
• BIO-151 Nutrition
• ART-101 Art Appreciation
• MUS-100 Music Appreciation

• Elementary Teacher (with further education)Secondary Education Teacher (with further education)