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.
Initial Certificate
Short Certificate
Children with Exceptionalities Certificate
Associate of Applied Science 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
Social Sciences Requirements (10 credits)
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
Natural Sciences Requirements (5 credits)
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

 

 

Contact Us 

Jennifer Karshna, Program Chair
Bldg. 13-131
jkarshna@tacomacc.edu
253-566-5010