Early Childhood Education

2020-21 Early Childhood Education (PDF)*

Associate of Applied Science Degree

Courses for this Program

About the Program

The Early Childhood Education (ECE) program prepares students to work with young children from birth through 8 years of age and their families in a variety of settings including child care centers, family child care, preschools, Head Start, school age programs, home visiting, and parent education. It is planned to accommodate both full- and part-time students including those currently employed in the field.

The ECE program has as its basis preparation for the Child Development Associate (CDA) credential. Students may choose to complete the CDA assessment process and be eligible for entry-level jobs at that point. The CDA preparation courses serve as the foundation of the core coursework for the Early Childhood Education certificate, a one-year certificate which prepares students to work as teacher assistants or teachers in child care programs, Head Start, or other early childhood settings.

The Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree in Early Childhood Education is based on the Guidelines for Preparation of Early Childhood Professionals from the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). It is a comprehensive program that incorporates the core coursework for the ECE certificate and qualifies a student to become a head teacher in a child care facility licensed by the Oregon Child Care Division, a teacher in Head Start, or a home visitor, among other professional roles. Students will have a choice of specialty areas: infant/toddler, preschool, or family child care, and will complete 240 supervised practicum hours as part of the
curriculum. Some courses in the program may not transfer to other institutions. Students intending to transfer should seek adviser assistance to determine transferability.

For the corresponding relationship of the Early Childhood Education coursework to the Oregon Registry: Pathways to Professional Recognition in Childhood Care and Education, visit www.pdx.edu/occd/steps-credentials-oro/#Community%20Colleges and click on Rogue Community College.

Program Learning Outcomes

The curriculum in RCC courses is derived from a set of identified learning outcomes that are relevant to the discipline. Program learning outcomes for Early childhood Education programs are:

Promote child development and learning across developmental domains in context.

Build family and community partnerships based on understanding and valuing the complex characteristics of children’s families and communities.

Utilize child observation, documentation, and assessment in appropriate ways to promote positive outcomes for children.

Implement developmentally, culturally, and linguistically appropriate teaching practices depending on children’s ages and characteristics and on the settings in which teaching and learning occur.

Use content knowledge to build meaningful curriculum by designing, implementing and evaluating experiences that promote positive development and learning for each child.

Identify and conduct themselves as members of the early childhood and/or elementary education field and be continuous collaborative learners.

Entry Requirements

Students are required to complete the Placement Process to determine skill level and readiness in math, reading, and writing. As part of their training program, students must begin with the courses within their skill level as determined through the Placement Process. In addition, students may also be required to enroll in classes that would increase their employability and success.

Students are also required to provide information regarding their measles immunization status by completing the form found on the RCC ECEE Department website and clicking on ECEE Department Requirements. Completed forms must be submitted to a department secretary.

Students must also obtain an RCC student identification card. RCC photos will be taken on a scheduled basis in the Student Services area on the Redwood Campus, Grants Pass (541-956-7090), or upstairs in G Building at the Riverside Campus, Medford (541-245-7560). Students should take their schedules to obtain an identification card. Take the identification card each time an observation
is scheduled in an early childhood setting.

Many courses in this department require participation in community schools, programs, and agencies for observation and practicum experiences. Some of these sites may require a background check in order for a student to participate. Future employment serving children and families will require a background check. Students may wish to consider going through a background check process to be ready for potential observation, practicum, and employment experiences – check with your ECEE advisor for additional information.

For some classes, early childhood education students are required to use the Redwood Early Childhood Center, which is a Head Start site. Therefore, all students in the Early Childhood Education program must obtain prior clearance from Head Start. The process for doing this is on the Southern Oregon Head Start website, www.socfc.org. Click on “Volunteer” and then on “Download Volunteer Packet.” Required paperwork must be completed before observing or participating at a Head Start site.

Advanced Standing

Coursework from accredited colleges and universities will be accepted in accordance with college registration policies and the Early Childhood Education Department chair’s approval. In order to ensure that coursework is current, program courses over 10 years old must be reviewed and approved by the appropriate department chair before being accepted toward core requirements. Each College Now credit student must meet with the department chair to determine placement.

Credits earned in the successful completion of Career Pathways Certificates can be applied to other certificates and degrees in the Career Pathway. For more information, speak to a program advisor.

Completion Requirements

Students completing the required credits in this program with a grade of “C” or better will receive their degrees. Certain required courses are graded on a pass/no pass basis only. A grade of “P” for these courses indicates a student earned the equivalent of a “C” or better grade. Three hundred (300) hours of supervised practicum are required unless a waiver is granted for approved activities.

¹ Required for graduation.

² Prerequisite: WR90

For more information, contact the Early Childhood and Elementary Education Department:

Grants Pass or Medford:  541-245-7504
Toll free in Oregon: 800-411-6508, Ext. 7066 or 7504
email:  ecee@roguecc.edu
Web address: www.roguecc.edu/ecee
TTY:  Oregon Telecom Relay Service, 711

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