Early Childhood Education
Early Childhood Education: Emphasis on Children with Exceptionalities
About
TCC's Early Childhood Education program: Emphasis on Children with Exceptionalities prepares students to become successful early childhood professionals working with young children to meet their individual needs. This program is for people wanting to work with young children (birth through 8 years old), including children who are culturally, linguistically and ability diverse. The program fulfills Washington State childcare licensing guidelines and requirements. Grants are available for interested students with the Early Achievers Opportunity Grant through Workforce Education.
We provide a supportive, welcoming environment for every student in our program and assist you to attain your educational and career goals. Please contact the ECE Program Chair for an appointment to get started. There is no formal admission process. (Note: This program requires a MERIT criminal background check/fingerprints.)
Enrollment is open to individuals who would like to work or currently work:
- with young children including those who are culturally, linguistically, and ability diverse.
- in early learning programs such as center-based childcare, family home childcare, Head Start, and private preschools.
- as paraeducators or teacher assistants.
Funding is available!
The ECE program is eligible for the Early Achievers Opportunity Grant through Workforce Education. Find out more and see if you qualify for funding.
Early Childhood Education Program
TCC students can earn stand-alone certificates, or apply them to an Associate of Applied Sciences Degree.The Early Childhood Education Initial Certificate is the first
certificate in the series of ECE stackable certificates. This
certificate is a pathway to the Early Childhood Education Short
Certificate of Specialization, the Early Childhood Education
Emphasis on Children with Exceptionalities Certificate, and
the Early Childhood Education Emphasis on Children with
Exceptionalities AAS Degree. The certificate is directed toward
students working or planning to work with children birth through
eight years old. The Early Childhood Education Initial Certificate
is aligned with the Washington State ECE common courses and
stackable certificates.
Note: A grade of C or higher is required in all coursework.
| Requirements (12 credits) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Number | Title | Credits |
| ECED& 105 | Introduction to Early Childhood Education | 5 |
| ECED& 107 | Health/Safety/Nutrition | 5 |
| ECED& 120 | Practicum | 2 |
The Early Childhood Education Short Certificate of
Specialization is the second certificate in the series of ECE
stackable certificates. This certificate builds on the ECE Initial
Certificate and is a pathway to the Early Childhood Education
Emphasis on Children with Exceptionalities Certificate and
the Early Childhood Education Emphasis on Children with
Exceptionalities AAS Degree. The certificate is directed toward
students working or planning to work with children birth through
eight years old. The Early Childhood Education Short Certificate
of Specialization is aligned with the Washington State ECE
common courses and stackable certificates.
Note: A grade of C or higher is required in all coursework.
| Requirements (20 credits) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Number | Title | Credits |
| ECE Initial Certificate | 12 | |
| EDUC& 115 | Child Development | 5 |
|
ECED& 132 or ECED& 139 or EDUC& 130 |
Infant/Toddler Care Administration of Early Childhood Education Guiding Behavior |
3 3 3 |
TCC’s Early Childhood Education: Emphasis on Children with
Exceptionalities Certificate is the third in the series of ECE
stackable certificates. This certificate builds on the ECE Initial
Certificate and the Early Childhood Education Short Certificate
of Specialization and is a pathway to the Early Childhood
Education Emphasis on Children with Exceptionalities AAS
Degree. It is an academic program designed to develop the
skills needed to be a successful early childhood professional
and is directed toward students planning to work with children,
birth through eight years old, including those who are culturally,
linguistically, and ability diverse. Employment opportunities are
in a variety of settings, including: preschools, childcare centers,
early intervention programs (as a teacher assistant), and/
or other early learning programs. The Early Childhood Education
Emphasis on Children with Exceptionalities Certificate is aligned
with the Washington State ECE common courses and stackable
certificates.
Note: A grade of C or higher is required in all coursework.
| Requirements (55 credits) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Number | Title | Credits |
| ECE Initial Certificate and ECE Short Certificate of Specialization (20) |
||
| ECED& 160 | Curriculum Development | 5 |
|
ECED& 170 or EDUC& 130 |
Learning Environments Guiding Behavior |
3 3 |
| ECED& 180 | Language and Literacy | 3 |
| ECED& 190 | Observation and Assessment | 3 |
| EDUC& 150 | Child, Family, Community | 3 |
| EDUC& 204 | Exceptional Child | 5 |
| ECE 290 | Practicum | 3 |
| ENGL& 101 | English Composition I | 5 |
|
MATH& 107 or MATH& 131 or MATH& 132 |
Math in Society Math for Elementary Teachers I Math for Elementary Teachers II |
5 5 5 |
TCC’s Associate of Applied Science Degree in Early Childhood Education: Emphasis on Children with Exceptionalities builds on the series of ECE stackable certificates.
It is an academic program designed to include general education requirements to earn an Associate Degree. Students will develop the skills needed to pursue employment opportunities are in preschools, childcare centers, family childcare, HeadStart/ECEAP programs, kindergarten through third grade classrooms (as a teacher assistant), and/or other early learning programs.
Note: A grade of C or higher is required in all coursework
| Core Requirements (27-30 credits) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Number | Title | Credits |
|
BUS 164 or ECED& 139 |
Leadership and Human Relations Administration of ECE |
5 3 |
| ECE 130 | Cultural Competency | 2 |
| ECE 102 | Math, Science, Technology for Young Children | 3 |
| CMST& 101 | Introduction to Communication | 5 |
|
CU 105 or CU 100 and CU 102 |
Word I, Excel I Intro. to Practical Computing Word I |
5 4 4 |
| ENGL& 101 | English Composition I | 5 |
| ENGL& 102 | Composition II: Argument and Persuasion | 5 |
|
MATH& 107 or MATH& 131 or MATH& 132 |
Math in Society Math for Elementary Teachers I Math for Elementary Teachers II |
5 |
| Humanities Requirements (10 credits) Choose 2 from the following: |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
| Number | Title | ||
| ART& 100 or ART 180 |
Art Appreciation Art for Elementary Education |
||
| HUM& 101 | Introduction to Humanities | ||
| MUSC& 105 or MUSC 120 |
Music Appreciation Music in the Classroom |
||
|
Choose 2 from the following: |
|||
| ANTH& 100 | Survey of Anthropology | ||
|
HIST& 146 or HIST& 147 or HIST& 148 |
US History I US History II US History III |
||
| SOC& 101 | Introduction to Sociology | ||
| SOC& 201 | Social Problems | ||
|
Choose 1 from the following: |
|||
| ASTR& 101 | Introduction to Astronomy | ||
| BIOL& 100 | Survey of Biology | ||
| BIOL& 175 | Biology with Lab | ||
| BOT 101 | General Botany | ||
| CHEM& 110 | Chemical Concepts with Lab I | ||
| ENVS& 101 | Introduction to Environmental Science | ||
| GEOG 205 | Physical Geography | ||
| GEOG 210 | Maps, GIS, and the Environment | ||
| GEOL& 101 | Introduction to Physical Geology | ||
| OCEA& 101 | Introduction to Oceanography | ||
| SCI 105 | Introductory Topics in Natural Science | ||
| SCI 110 | Physical Science and Technology | ||
Expected Outcomes
Completion of the ECE certificate or AAS degree prepares students to:
- Create environments that are healthy, respectful, supportive and challenging for each child.
- Create respectful relationships that support and empower families to be involved in their child’s development and learning.
- Use systematic observations, documentation and other assessment strategies, in partnership with families and other professionals, to positively influence the development of every child.
- Use a wide array of developmentally appropriate strategies and tools to connect with children and families.
- Design, implement and evaluate meaningful, challenging curriculum promoting comprehensive developmental and learning outcomes for every child.
- Use ethical guidelines and other professional standards, demonstrate knowledgeable, critical perspectives on their work and advocate for sound practices and policies.
Students will have the opportunity to work in practicum settings.
Employment opportunities are in a variety of settings including preschools, childcare centers, family childcare, HeadStart/ECEAP programs, kindergarten through third grade classrooms as a teacher assistant. Explore career opportunities here.
Contact Us
Jennifer Karshna, Program Chair
Bldg. 13-131
jkarshna@tacomacc.edu
253-566-5010