Early Childhood Care and Education Diploma (ECC2)
The Early Childhood Care and Education diploma program is a sequence of courses designed to prepare students for a variety of careers in the field of early childhood education. The program emphasizes a combination of early childhood care and education theory and practical application, as well as limited basic skills competencies necessary for successful employment.
NOTE: To be employed in a child care center licensed by the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning, an individual must first complete a comprehensive background check with evidence of a satisfactory determination of the following: National fingerprint-based criminal history check; Georgia Child Abuse Registry; National Sex Offender Registry; and a State fingerprint-based criminal history records check and State child abuse registry for every U.S. territory, tribal land, or state in which the person has resided in the past five (5) years. Students must have a comprehensive background check with evidence of a satisfactory determination from the above list in order to complete program requirements. The cost of these record checks is at the student's expense and must be completed before participation in a practicum or internship, whether completing practicum or internship at a licensed Georgia child care center, private child care or public school.
Career Opportunities
Graduates have qualifications to be employed in early care and education settings. Graduates may find employment as private preschool teachers, household childcare workers, self-employed childcare providers, or Head Start assistants. (Bright from the Start recognizes this degree as equivalent to or greater than a CDA for employment.)
Credit Required for Graduation: Minimum of 53 credit hours
Curriculum
Basic Skills Courses
| EMPL 1000 | Interpersonal Relations and Professional Development | 2 |
| ENGL 1010 | Fundamentals of English I | 3 |
| MATH 1012 | Foundations of Mathematics | 3 |
Occupational Courses
COLL 1090: Effective January 2018, COLL 1090 is required for graduation from this program if the admissions eligibility requirement is met (see Office of Admissions for exclusions). If COLL 1090 is not required due to a student's ineligibility, any occupational or occupationally related elective approved by the program advisor should be substituted to meet the minimum program credit hour requirement for graduation (see advisor for approval).
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Choose one of the following options
Specific Occupational Courses (Option 1 - 12 credits)
| ECCE 2245 | Early Childhood Care and Education Internship I | 6 |
| ECCE 2246 | Early Childhood Care and Education Internship II | 6 |
Specific Occupational Courses (Option 2 - 12 credits)
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Occupational Electives (3 credits from the list below)
| ECCE 2310 | Paraprofessional Methods and Materials | 3 |
| ECCE 2312 | Paraprofessional Roles and Practices | 3 |
| ECCE 2320 | Program Administration and Facility Management | 3 |
| ECCE 2322 | Personnel Management | 3 |
| ECCE 2330 | Infant/Toddler Development | 3 |
| ECCE 2332 | Infant/Toddler Group Care and Curriculum | 3 |