Preschool-Grade 3 Education

Associate in Arts

Preschool-Grade 3 Education

Spring Registration Callout

The Preschool to Grade 3 Education degree prepares students to work with children in early childhood centers and social service agencies. It provides the student with approved academic training for group teacher positions in state-licensed child care facilities. This program also provides a foundation of courses suitable for students interested in certification in early childhood education at a bachelor’s degree level.  Transfer requirements (including Praxis Core) of the four-year college must be satisfied for admittance into that college and its teacher certification program.

For more information, contact faculty advisor, Lisa Stein or contact department chair, Dr. Beth Sanders-Rabinowitz.

Upon completion of this program students will be able to:

  • Analyze major theories of child development with emphasis on similarities and differences and the interaction of the four learning domains and models from infancy through age eight;
  • Evaluate family and community characteristics in relation to their role in the economic, political and cultural institutions of society;
  • Apply the goals, benefits and uses of assessment using observation, documentation and other appropriate assessment tools and approaches;
  • Recognize and apply effective approaches, strategies and tools to positively influence children’s development and learning;
  • Articulate and uphold ethical standards and other professional guidelines and engage in informed advocacy for children and the profession;
  • Document children’s development and apply the documentation to curriculum development.

Degree Requirements

Recommended sequence or courses
Courses Credits

GENERAL EDUCATION COURSES

When a General Education course is not specified, refer to the list of approved General Education courses.

39 credits
Communication  (9 credits)
    ENGL101-Composition I
3
    ENGL102-Composition II
3
    COMM110 or COMM120
3
Mathematics-Science-Technology
 (8 credits)
    MATH220-Statistical Methods
4
    General Education Science course (Physical Science: CHEM, ESCI or PHYS)
4
Social Science
 (7 credits)
    PSYC/EDUC110-Child Development: Theory and Practice
4
    SOCL101-Principles of Sociology
3
Humanities
 (6 credits)
    Choose ARTS103, ARTS108, ARTS109, ARTS115, DANC170, MUSC100, SPAN111, or THEA110 (Select SPAN111 if you plan to transfer to Rutgers)
3
    Choose ENGL104, ENGL201, ENGL205, ENGL206, ENGL213 or ENGL214
3
History
 (6 credits)
    Choose two: HIST101, HIST102, HIST103, HIST104
6
Diversity
 (3 credits)
    Choose GEOG102 or GEOG110
3
TOTAL GENERAL EDUCATION CREDITS
39
PROGRAM COURSES  21 credits
    EDUC101-Historical Foundations of American Education
3
    EDUC103-Roles of the Early Childhood Professional
2
    EDUC115-Planning the Preschool Curriculum
3
    EDUC213-Educational Psychology
3
    EDUC220-Field Placement in Educational Psychology
1
    EDUC252-Early Childhood Practicum
3
    PSYC140-Principles of Guidance for Parents and Teachers
3
    PSYC/EDUC226-Psychology of Exceptionality
3
TOTAL PROGRAM CREDITS REQUIRED
21

Technological Competency: 0-4 Credits

(Is fulfilled with CISM125, CISM132, testing or departmental portfolio.)

TOTAL CREDITS REQUIRED FOR DEGREE
60

(EDPR) EFFECTIVE FALL 2023

 

Recommended Sequence of Courses

First Semester (13 credits)

Recommended sequence or courses
Course Code Course Name Course Credits

EDUC/PSYC110

Child Development: Theory & Practice

4

EDUC/CDCC103

Roles of the Child Care Professional

2

ENGL101 

Composition I

3

Gen Ed

Science course (Physical Science: CHEM, ESCI, or PHYS)

4

 

Second Semester (16 credits)

Recommended sequence or courses
Course Code Course Name Course Credits

EDUC115

Planning the Preschool Curriculum

3

ENGL102

Composition II

3

MATH220

Statistical Methods

4

SOCL101

Introduction to Sociology

3

Choose

ARTS103, ARTS108, ARTS109, ARTS115, DANC170, MUSC100, SPAN111, or THEA110

3

 

Third Semester (16 credits)

Recommended sequence or courses
Course Code Course Name Course Credits

EDUC213

Educational Psychology

3

EDUC220

Field Placement in Educational Psychology

1

PSYC140

Principles of Guidance for Teachers and Parents

3

Choose

ENGL104, ENGL201, ENGL205, ENGL206, ENGL213 or ENGL214

3

Choose

HIST101, HIST102, HIST103 or HIST104

3

Choose

COMM110 or COMM120

3

 

Fourth Semester (15 credits)

Recommended sequence or courses
Course Code Course Name Course Credits

EDUC101

Historical Foundations of American Education

3

EDUC252

Early Childhood Practicum

3

EDUC226

Psychology of Exceptionality

3

Choose

HIST101, HIST102, HIST103 or HIST104

3

Choose

GEOG102 or GEOG110

3

 

View the naeyc 2019-2020 Annual Report.