Early Childhood Associate

When you graduate from this 21-month (seven-term) program, you will be prepared to be a head teacher/director in early childhood facilities supervising others and carrying out educational activities in preschools, Head Start, recreation centers, and public school systems. You also may become an entrepreneur or be employed as a nanny.

Students meeting all program and graduation requirements receive an Associate in Applied Science degree. A diploma option program is available. Contact Program Director Gina Buttikofer (641.683.5317 or 800.726.2585, ext. 5317) for details.

Courses in this program

Bachelor's degree program

If you're planning to earn a bachelor's degree in Early Childhood/Elementary Education, you should begin the process of selecting a school as a freshman. Each four-year institution has its own set of requirements.

The IHCC Early Childhood Associate degree has an articulation agreement with Buena Vista University.

Buena Vista University

When transferring to Buena Vista University, Ottumwa, you earn an Early Childhood/Elementary Education BA degree with the Pre-Kindergarten/Kindergarten endorsement. Students planning to attend BVU should arrange to take the Praxis I test as freshmen. They are also advised to enroll in the following additional courses during their second year:

PSY281 - Educational Psychology
POL111 - American National Government

Other 4-year schools

Students interested in attending colleges other than Buena Vista need to make that decision as soon as possible. It may be to your advantage to add the necessary 11 credits to earn an Associate of Arts degree in addition to the Early Childhood Associate of Applied Science degree.

To learn more about this program contact Gina Buttikofer at 641.683.5317 or 800.726.2585, ext. 5317.

Course Schedule

Catalog Number	Course Name	Credits
Term I
CSC105	Computer Essentials	1
ECE103	Introduction to Early Childhood Education	3
ECE104	ECE Certifications	0.5
ECE133	Child Health, Safety and Nutrition	3
ECE170	Child Growth & Development	3
HSC137	AHA First Aid	0.5
	Total	11
Term II
ECE158	Early Childhood Curriculum I	3
ECE263	EC Field Experience I	1.5
EDU235	Children's Literature	3
PSY111	Introduction to Psychology	3
SPC112	Public Speaking	3
	Total	13.5
Term III
ECE159	Early Childhood Curriculum II	3
ECE221	Infant/Toddler Care and Education	3
ECE243	Early Childhood Guidance	3
ECE264	EC field Experience II	1.5
ENG105	Composition I	3
	Total	13.5
Term IV
ECE141	Designing Curriculum	3
ENG106	Composition II	3
	US History course	3
	Total	9
Term V
ECE259	Topics in Early Childhood	3
	Foreign Language, Religion or Philosophy elective	3
	Mathematics elective	3
	Total	9
Term VI
BIO101	Introductory Biology	2
BIO103	Introductory Biology Lab	1
ECE276	Classroom Teaching	2
ECE287	Exceptional Learner	3
	Total	8
Term VII
ECE290	Early Childhood Program Administration	3
HSC230	Employment Preparation	1
LIT101	Introduction to Literature	3
	Fine Arts elective	3
	Total	10
Optional course:
ECE106	CDA Standards	1