AAS, Early Childhood Development (UAA)

The Early Childhood Development Certificate program and the Associate of Applied Science in Early Childhood Development program prepare paraeducators and other professionals to work in early care and education settings, including the public school system.

The Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education prepares professionals to work with young children from birth through age 8. The Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Early Childhood Pre-K-Third Grade prepares professionals who already have baccalaureate degrees to work with young children from birth through 8 years in preschool/primary school settings. Successful completion of either the Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education or the Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Early Childhood Pre-K-Third Grade program requirements leads to an institutional recommendation for initial teacher certification with an endorsement in Pre-K-Third Grade.

All programs are developed to meet the National Association for the Education of Young Children guidelines for personnel preparation. Student outcomes for the four early childhood programs are based on the Standards for Alaska’s Teachers found at the  Alaska Department of Education & Early Development. Outcomes are also based on the professional preparation standards of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) found at www.naeyc.org.

The students will demonstrate the following outcomes:

1. Create a healthy, respectful, supportive, and challenging learning environment based on knowledge of child development.
2. Create respectful, reciprocal relationships that support and empower families, and involve all families in their children’s development and learning.
3. Use systematic observations, documentation, and other effective assessment strategies in a responsible way, in partnership with families and other professionals, to positively influence children’s development and learning.
4. Design effective approaches to teaching and learning, implement and evaluate experiences that promote positive development and learning for all children.
5. Incorporate knowledge of content areas to create appropriate experiences for young children.
6. Use ethical guidelines and other professional standards related to early childhood practice.
7. Demonstrate knowledgeable, reflective, and critical perspectives on professional practice, making informed decisions that integrate knowledge from a variety of sources.

All candidates in the Associate of Applied Science Early Childhood Development program must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.00 or above in all EDEC courses. All candidates must also complete the general university requirements for AAS Degrees. 

For Background Check Requirements consult the UAA School of Education.

Degree Requirements

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  Oral Communication Requirements (3)
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  Written Communication Requirements (6)
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  Major Requirements

 

Students who complete the Undergraduate Certificate and AAS in Early Childhood will be proficient entry-level child care workers, have knowledge of child development, and demonstrate basic abilities in child care paraprofessional skills.