Early Childhood Education/Early Childhood Special Education - Associate of Arts in Teaching Degree (Transfer)
Application Code 254
For curriculum information, contact the Social Sciences and Teacher Education Division – Room ST-149—443-518-1620.
Early Childhood Education is defined as grades Pre-K through three in the state of Maryland. This curriculum prepares students to transfer to an Early Childhood Education or Early Childhood Special Education program at a four-year college or university in the state of Maryland. The Associate of Arts in Teaching (A.A.T.) degree has been articulated with all of the transfer programs in early childhood education in the state of Maryland. Students who receive the A.A.T. degree must have a cumulative G.P.A. of 2.75, *pass a required basic skills test, and **complete 45 hours of field experience. Upon completion of the A.A.T. degree, students are eligible to be admitted as an early childhood education major at their Maryland transfer institution.
Suggested Semester 1
Suggested Semester 2
| EDUC 112 | Methods and Materials in Early Childhood Education | 3 |
| EDUC 130 | Introduction to Early Childhood Education | 3 |
| HUMN 108 | Introduction to the Creative Arts | 3 |
| MATH 128 | Concepts of Mathematics II | 4 |
| PHYS 107 | Physical Science | 4 |
Suggested Semester 3
Select one of the following:
Suggested Semester 4
A graduate should be able to
- Describe the theories and principles of child development and learning, and apply the theories and principles to classroom teaching.
- Identify the policies, issues, trends, and historical events in the field of early childhood education.
- Use systematic observations, documentation, and other effective assessment strategies in a responsible way.
- Demonstrate knowledge of supporting and empowering families and communities through respectful, reciprocal relationships.
- Demonstrate understanding of content areas and apply developmentally appropriate approaches to enhance children’s learning and development.
- Identify and explain the models of classroom and behavior management.
- Identify and conduct themselves as early childhood professionals who use ethical guidelines and National Association for the Education of Young Children standards related to early childhood practice, and who are advocates for sound educational practices and policies.
Total Credit Hours: 63
*Students in a Teacher Education transfer pattern must submit qualifying scores as established by the State Superintendent of Schools on pre-professional basic skills tests (e.g., SAT, ACT, PRAXIS/CORE) approved by the State Board of Education to the office of Admissions and Advising to receive the AAT degree. Students are encouraged to submit the qualifying scores at the completion of college-level math and prior to the final semester before transfer. Scores from the basic skills tests are used for admission to four-year Teacher Education programs and are required for teacher certification in Maryland and most other states.
**Students are required to complete 15 hours of field experience for each of the following courses as part of the degree requirements: EDUC 111, EDUC 130, and EDUC 200.
The Introduction to Special Education course required by Howard Community College is a necessary requirement of the college’s A.A.T. degree but is not sufficient to meet all special education or inclusion course requirements for four-year teacher education programs. Students may be required to take additional special education or inclusion courses as part of the requirements for a baccalaureate degree and teacher education certification at four-year institutions.