Early Childhood Education

Associate in Applied Science—Transfer


This program provides the student with classes in Early Childhood Education, supporting courses, as well as elective classes in other areas. Upon completion of the degree requirements, students should be able to work in programs involving young children: Head Start, child care, parent cooperatives, private preschools, etc.


The Olympic College Early Childhood Education Program is based on the Washington State Skill Standards for Early Childhood and School Age Care Professions.


Not all courses listed are offered every quarter. Please see an appropriate faculty advisor or Division Dean for course sequence and schedule details. A faculty advisor must approve the program for degree/certificate completion.


Program Outcomes

This is a dual-purpose degree program that is intended to prepare students for employment in early care and education settings, as well as for transfer to specific baccalaureate degree programs. **


Upon completion of this program, successful students will have demonstrated the ability to apply their skills and knowledge in the following ways:

1.   Acquire, interpret, and use information and resources that support industry defined appropriate practice.

2.   Work as a team member and demonstrate respect for diversity in an early childhood environment to accomplish family, child and program goals.

3.   Demonstrate professional and personal accountability in decision making and practices relative to children, families, colleagues, and the community.

4.   Effectively communicate orally and in writing in the context of early childhood settings.

5.   Design, maintain, document, and evaluate early childhood environments and programming on a regular basis.


** Note: You must consult with an appropriate advisor to obtain information on specific requirements of the receiving baccalaureate institution.


ADVISOR          OFFICE                    PHONE
Dilling, Gayle   Health Occupations 138    360-475-7289


REQUIRED COURSES                                CREDITS
ENGL  101  Composition*_______________________________5

ENGL  102  Composition*__________________________5
or
ENGL  104  Technical Writing*____________________5____5

MATH  107  College Math/Liberal Arts Students*___5
or
MATH  119  Precalculus I : Algebra*______________5____5

Humanities (Choose 10 credits from the following, from at least 2 disciplines):
ART   100  Art Appreciation______________________5
ART   102  Art History/Ancient--Byzantine________5
ART   103  Art History/Medieval--Renaissance_____5
FLASL 145  American Sign Language I______________5
FLSPN 101  Elementary Spanish____________________5
MUSIC 101  Fundamentals of Music_________________5
SPCH  151B Fundamentals of Speech________________5
SPCH  152  Interpersonal Communication___________5___10

Social Sciences (Choose 10 credits from the following, from at least 2 disciplines):
ANTHR 202  Introduction to Cultural Anthropology_5
EDUC  101  Introduction to Education_____________5
PSYCH 101  General Psychology____________________5
PSYCH 224  Lifespan Development*_________________5
SOCIO 101  Introduction to Sociology_____________5
SOCIO 135  The Family____________________________5___10

Natural Sciences (Choose 5 credits from the following, must be a lab science):
BIO   105  Biological Principles_________________5
BIO   201  General Biology*______________________5____5

Early Childhood Education Electives (50 credits):
ECE   101  Practicum I*__________________________3
ECE   150  The Exceptional Child_________________3
ECE   151  Practicum II*_________________________1
ECE   151A Practicum II*_________________________1
ECE   155  Child Development_____________________5
ECE   165  Early Childhood Curriculum____________3
ECE   166  Environments for Children_____________1
ECE   170  Intro to Early Childhood Education____3
ECE   171  Observation and Assessment____________2
ECE   173  Art and Creative Activities___________3
ECE   177  Science and Math for Young Children___3
ECE   179  Language and Literacy Development_____3
ECE   184  Health, Safety and Nutrition__________3
ECE   185  Guidance and Leadership_______________3
ECE   188  Child Abuse and Neglect_______________2
ECE   190  Multicultural Education_______________3
ECE   191  ECE Program Administration____________3
ECE   201  Practicum III*________________________5___50

TOTAL CREDITS REQUIRED _____________________________ 90

* See course description for prerequisite.


Source: 2007-2008 Olympic College Catalog
              10/01/07 Instructional Policies Meeting