Paraeducation
Program Chair
Mary Skinner
253.566.5010 mskinner@tacomacc.edu
TCC’s Paraeducator, Early Childhood Emphasis program prepares students for employment in a variety of educational settings. Students can earn certificates or two-year Associate in Applied Sciences degrees. Enrollment is open to:
- Employed paraeducators
- Individuals who wish to prepare for employment in early learning environments
Employment in this field requires a criminal background check.
PROGRAM LEARNING OUTCOMES
Upon successful completion of the Paraeducator certificate or AAS degree in Paraeducator, Early Childhood Emphasis, students will:
- Use an understanding of young children’s characteristics and needs, and of multiple interacting influences on children’s development and learning, to create environments that are healthy, respectful, supportive, and challenging for each child.
- Create respectful, reciprocal relationships that support and empower families, and to involve all families in their child’s development and learning.
- Use systematic observations, documentation, and other effective assessment strategies in a responsible way, in partnership with families and other professionals, to positively influence the development of every child.
- Implement a wide array of developmentally appropriate approaches, instructional strategies, and tools to connect with children and families and positively influence each child’s development and learning.
- Use knowledge and other resources to design, implement, and evaluate meaningful, challenging curriculum that promotes comprehensive developmental and learning outcomes for every child.
- Use ethical guidelines and other professional standards related to early childhood practice; demonstrate knowledgeable, reflective and critical perspectives on their work and are informed advocates for sound practices and policies.
Paraeducator, Early Childhood Emphasis Certificate
(39 credits)
Note: A grade of “C” or better is required in all core requirements.
- Core Requirements (34 credits)
Introduction to Early Childhood Education |
3 |
|
Early Childhood Environmental Design |
3 |
|
Math, Science & Technology for Young Children |
3 |
|
Creative Arts & Literacy in Early Childhood Education |
3 |
|
Family Health, Nutrition & Safety |
3 |
|
Individual and Cultural Diversity |
2 |
|
Practicum |
3 |
|
Family Systems and Support Services |
3 |
|
Effective Communications with Families |
3 |
|
Child Guidance |
3 |
or EDP 141, 142 and 143 can be substituted
Developmental Psychology: Life Span |
5 |
|
or EDUC& 115 |
Child Development |
|
- General Education Requirements (5 credits)
General Psychology |
5 |
Associate in Applied Sciences Degree
(51 additional credits = total 90 credits)
Upon completion of the Paraeducator, Early Childhood Emphasis certificate (39 credits), students may enroll in the following courses to obtain the AAS degree in Paraeducation, Early Childhood Emphasis.
- General Education Requirements (26-30 credits)
English Composition I |
5 |
|
Composition II: Argument and Persuasion |
5 |
|
Introduction to Communication |
5 |
|
MATH 107 |
Math: A Practical Art |
5 |
or MATH& 131 |
Math for Elementary School Teachers I |
|
or MATH& 132 |
Math for Elementary School Teachers II |
|
Administration of Early Learning Programs I (1) |
3-5 |
|
and EDP 212 |
Administration of Early Learning Programs II (1) |
|
and EDP 213 |
Administration of Early Learning Programs III (1) |
|
or BUS 164 |
Leadership and Human Relations (5) |
|
Introduction to Practical Computing |
2-5 |
|
and CU 102 |
Word I (2) |
|
or CU 105 |
Word I, Excel I (5) |
|
- Elective Requirements (25 credits)
Choose one of the following courses: |
5 |
|
Introduction to Humanities |
|
|
Art Appreciation |
|
|
or ART 180 |
Art for Elementary Education |
|
or MUSC 120 |
Music in the Classroom |
|
Social Sciences - Choose two of the following courses: |
10 |
|
Introduction to Sociology |
|
|
Social Problems |
|
|
Survey of Anthropology |
|
|
US History I |
|
|
or HIST& 147 |
US History II |
|
or HIST& 148 |
US History III |
|
Natural Sciences - Choose one of the following courses: |
5 |
|
Introduction to Astronomy |
|
|
Survey of Biology |
|
|
Biology with Lab |
|
|
Chemical Concepts with Lab I |
|
|
Introduction to Environmental Science |
|
|
Introduction to Physical Geology |
|
|
Introduction to Oceanography |
|
|
Management of Early Learning Program Certificate
(6 credits)
Designed to provide childcare personnel with knowledge to open, operate and manage childcare centers and early learning programs that meet licensing, accreditation and other quality standards, to foster adult relationships within those programs. Program completion combined with the Paraeducator, Early Childhood Emphasis certificate, provides the 45 credits of early childhood education required for Washington state childcare licensing of early learning program supervisors.
- Administration of Early Learning Program Requirements (3 credits)
Administration of Early Learning I: Program Administration |
1 |
|
Administration of Early Learning II: Operation of Children’s Program |
1 |
|
Administration of Early Learning III: Staffing and Professional Development |
1 |
- Child, Family and Community Relationships Requirements (3 credits)
Child, Family, Community I: Creating Community among Adults in Early Care Settings |
1 |
|
Child, Family, Community II: Building a Caring Community with Children |
1 |
|
Child, Family, Community III: Building Quality Relationships with Families |
1 |
Child Development Specialist Certificate
(18 credits)
Designed to prepare students for the Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential examination. Upon successful completion of this three-quarter program students will be prepared for employment in entry-level early childhood education positions. The certificate also provides professional development for those currently working in early childhood settings. Typical jobs include lead teacher in a childcare center, Head Start educational assistant, and preschool teacher. Participants who obtain a CDA’s are qualified to be program supervisors or directors and have the basic skills to open their own childcare center.
Courses completed for this certificate will satisfy 12 credits (EDP 100, 101, 140 and 202) of the Paraeducator, Early Childhood Emphasis certificate or the Associate in Applied Science degree. The schedule below provides a tentative schedule, but may change depending on enrollment levels.
- 1st Quarter (9 credits)
Introduction to Early Childhood Education |
3 |
|
Guiding Behavior of Young Children 1 |
1 |
|
Early Childhood Clinical Experience |
2 |
- 2nd Quarter (9 credits)
Early Childhood Environmental Design |
3 |
|
Guiding Behavior of Young Children 2 |
1 |
|
Early Childhood Clinical Experience |
2 |
- 3rd Quarter (9 credits)
Family, Health, Nutrition & Safety |
3 |
|
Guiding Behaviors of Young Children III |
1 |
|
Early Childhood Clinical Experience |
2 |
- Internship/Work Experience
Students enrolled in this program are required to participate in 180 hours of internship/work experience over the course of the three program quarters. Placement assistance is available for those not currently working in early childhood environments.