Early Childhood Education (A.A.)

The School of Professional and Graduate Studies offers the A.A. in Early Childhood Education in conjunction with the School of Education. The program is offered on Main Campus as well as at Trinity at THEARC.

Faculty

Ms. Cachanda Orellana, Assistant Dean of the School of Education
Ms. Cristina Lynch, Assistant Dean of the School of Professional and Graduate Studies and Program Director for Trinity at THEARC
Mr. Michael Rowe, Assistant Professor and Program Director for Main Campus
Dr. Marie Celeste, Associate Professor
Dr. Jennifer Lee, Assistant Professor

Description

This education degree prepares candidates to meet eligibility requirements as teaching assistants in early childhood education (ages 3-8) programs in the District of Columbia. Graduates of this program can, if they so choose, proceed seamlessly into Trinity’s Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education degree program.

Trinity’s Child Development Associate credential is recognized by the Council for Professional Recognition as a Gold Standard. Course syllabi and assessments reflect the standards of the Interstate New Teacher Assessment and Support Consortium (InTASC).

The Associate of Arts in Early Childhood Education is designed to stack into a Bachelor’s of Arts in Early Childhood Education with all A.A. credits counting toward the B. In order to apply A.A. coursework credit towards the B.A., students must meet all minimum grade requirements for the B.A. degree.

Program Requirements

Students in the A.A. in Early Childhood Education are required to take the A.A. core curriculum, which incudes courses in writing, communication, numeracy, information literacy, arts and humanities, social sciences, scientific understanding, and ethics, followed by Early Childhood Education degree major course requirements.

Field-Based Instruction

Teacher preparation at Trinity emphasizes field-based instruction that includes a series of mandated integrated field experiences and practicum experiences at different grade/age levels in a variety of school settings.

In order to complete field experiences in local schools, students need the following clearances:

• Tuberculosis test
• FBI Identity History Summary Check
• DCPS Clearance Letter
• Professional liability insurance

Note that there are costs associated with some of these clearances.  Please check with advisors for more details.

Program Policies

Transfer and Experiential Credit:  Students may transfer credits to Trinity through Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), American Council on Education, CLEP and portfolio/experiential assessments through the Trinity Experiential Lifelong Learning program.  Undergraduate students can transfer up to 75 credits.  Transfer of courses counting toward the major must be approved by the appropriate chair or director or by the Dean of the School of Professional and Graduate Studies.  For more information, see the Trinity Transfer Credit Policy.

Grades in Education Courses: Undergraduate students are required to earn a minimum grade of “C” (2.0) or better in all EDCC and EDTE courses, and an overall GPA of at least 2.0. Note that students proceeding to a B.A. degree must satisfy the grading policy for that degree, and may need to retake courses in order to meet that policy.

Pass/No Pass: EDCC and EDTE courses may not be taken Pass/No Pass.

Study Abroad: Courses taken through a study abroad program approved by Trinity may count toward general core curriculum course requirements, pending review and approval by Education faculty and the faculty of the appropriate academic program. In general, education courses taken abroad will not count toward the degree.

Course Descriptions

Explanation of Course Prefixes and Numbers: Courses designated “EDCC” are education core and common courses across various programs in the School of Education. Courses designated “EDTE” are largely specific to the teacher education program. [catalog-courses]

BIOL 101 Introduction to BiologyExplores various aspects of biology from cell structure to metabolism, diversity and ecology. The course consists of two hours of lecture and three hours of laboratory per week. Recommended for non-science majors. There is an additional laboratory fee for this course. Formerly BIO 101 Introduction to Biology.
4 credits
FLC Area I
Core Area II
General Education Curriculum: Knowledge and Inquiry
COM 101 Introduction to Comm. & Public SpeakingStudies principles of communication, with an emphasis on developing the skills needed to communicate effectively in personal and professional relationships, and in informative and persuasive public speaking contexts. This course is only open to students in the Associate's Degree program. No other students are allowed to register.
COM 224 Cross-Cultural CommunicationCross-cultural Communication examines basic principles of communication in multi-cultural contexts. Students will analyze the impact of cultural assumptions and values on understanding and communication between individuals and among communities.

This course is only open to students in the Associate's Degreee Program. No other students are allowed to register for this class.
3 credits
COM 225 Intercultural CommunicationApplies basic principles of intercultural communication to the analysis of specific situations involving cultural differences. Emphasis is on the influence of culture on the communication process, including differences in values, assumptions, and communication. Models of intercultural communication analysis are developed and applied to issues dealing with relations between a dominant society and subcultures, social change, and international relations.
3 credits
Core Area I: Skills for Work and Life
COM 290 Public SpeakingExamines theory and practice of public speaking. Students will prepare and present informative and persuasive speeches. Audience analysis, research, speech organization, delivery and effective persuasive strategies will be covered.
3 credits
FLC Area I
Core Area I: Skills for Work and Life
EDCC 204 Child, Family, Culture and CommunityThis course examines the relationships among the school, child and family, introducing the complex social and cultural factors that influence children's development and learning, as well as the ethical guidelines that determine professional conduct. Within an orientation to the theoretical and developmental foundations of early learning education of young children, the course emphasizes current issues regarding families, community, and cultural diversity. This course is only open to students in the Associates Degree Program at THEARC.
3 credits
Prerequisites: None
EDCC 205 Children, Families, Culture and the Community in Early ChildhoodThis course examines relationships among schools, children and families, introducing the complex social and cultural factors that influence children's development and learning, as well as the ethical guidelines that determine professional conduct. Within an orientation to the theoretical and developmental foundations of early learning education of young children, the course emphasizes current issues regarding families, community, and cultural diversity.
3 credits
Prerequisites: None
EDCC 206 Developing Learning Experiences in Early ChildhoodThis course examines the historical, theoretical, and developmental foundations for learning in young children, birth to age 8 (specifically, pre-K to 3rd grade.) Students learn how to create developmentally and individually appropriate lesson and activity plans. Learning experiences integrate the various content areas of literacy, math, science, social studies, and the arts, and incorporate the social-emotional, cognitive, and physical domains of child development. This course is only open to students in the Associates Degree Program at THEARC.
3 credits
Prerequisites: None
EDCC 207 Development of Learning Experiences in Early Childhood EducationThis course examines the historical, theoretical, and developmental foundations for learning in young children, birth to age 8 (specifically, pre-K to 3rd grade). Students learn how to create developmentally and individually appropriate lesson and activity plans. Learning experiences integrate the various content areas of literacy, math, science, social studies, and the arts, and incorporate the social-emotional, cognitive, and physical domains of child development.
3 credits
Prerequisites: None
EDCC 210 Developing Oral Language and Literacy in Early ChildhoodThis course introduces strategies for helping young children acquire communication skills. The contribution of appropriate children's literature to literacy development is demonstrated. Activities, materials, and lessons in these areas emphasize developmentally appropriate practices.
This course requires a 10 hour on-site, field component.
3 credits
Prerequisites: None
EDCC 211 Development of Oral Language and Literacy SkillsIntroduces strategies for helping young children acquire communication skills. Demonstrates contribution of appropriate children's literature to literacy development. Activities, materials, and lessons emphasize developmentally appropriate practices. This course requires a 10 hour on-site field component.
3 credits
EDCC 212 Observing, Describing, and Measuring Growth in Early ChildhoodIn this introductory course, students use developmentally appropriate observation and record keeping strategies to reflect on, improve, maintain, and extend learning. Tools and techniques that promote growth across all domains of early childhood development-social-emotional, cognitive, and physical, and across language and other content areas-will be discussed and explored.
This course is only open to students in the Associates Degree Program at THEARC.
This course requires a 10 hour on-site field component.
3 credits
Prerequisites: EDCC 206
EDCC 213 Observation, Description and Measurement of Growth in Early ChildhoodIn this introductory course, students use developmentally appropriate observation and record keeping strategies to reflect upon, improve, maintain, and extend learning. Tools and techniques that promote growth across all domains of early childhood development-social-emotional, cognitive, and physical, and across language and other content areas-will be discussed and explored. This course requires a 10-hour on-site field component.
3 credits
Prerequisites: None
EDCC 214 Theories in Human DevelopmentIntroduces students to the major theories in human growth and development with a focus on how the biological, cognitive, social, and psychological aspects of an individuals lived experience are interconnected. Special attention is paid to formative life events and the resulting change. The course spans the whole lifespan, starting with the prenatal period and continuing though adulthood.
3 Credits
Prerequisites: None
EDCC 215 Human Growth & DevelopmentReviews introductory theory and research in human growth and development over the life span. Focus is on the interdisciplinary nature of human development and relationships among the biological, cognitive, social, and psychological domains of the individual in her environment. Highlights critical life events and resulting change from the prenatal period through adulthood, stressing interactions between the developing person and a continually evolving world.
3 credits
EDCC 219 Fundamentals of EducationExplores the historical, philosophical, and cultural underpinnings of American education. Students are introduced to curriculum content, fundamentals of teaching competencies, contemporary education policy and processes in decision-making. Introduces Early Childhood teaching standards and the structure and content of the early childhood program, including a Praxis component.
3 Credits
Prerequisites: None
EDCC 220 Foundations of EducationAllows teacher candidates to examine some of the historical, philosophical, and cultural foundations of American education. Curriculum content and organization and basic teaching competencies are introduced in light of professional organization. Implications of understanding contemporary educational issues, policy, and decision-making are stressed. A Praxis component is introduced along with an explanation of the teacher education program in light of the standards in teacher education. Field component is an integral part of the course. Students also are required to engage in Praxis I preparation through weekly completion of an on-line Praxis program.
Formerly EDU 260 Foundations of Education.
3 credits
Prerequisites: None
EDCC 291 Core Content for TeachersReviews core content in reading, mathematics and writing to serve as a foundation for the BA licensing programs in Early Childhood and Elementary Education.
3 Credits
Prerequisites: ENGL 107 and MATH 109 or MATH 144/115
EDTE 289 ECE Practicum & SeminarPracticum consisting of a minimum of four (4) hours a week in one or more approved early childhood learning sites, working with early childhood educators at the site to observe and document early childhood learning. In the seminar portion, faculty, students, and peers meet to reflect upon, research, discuss, and write about theories and practices of early childhood education as experienced at the practicum. Note: Students must be available to spend the designated hours in a setting approved by the AA in Early Childhood Education program director.
3 Credits
Prerequisites: All EDCC and EDTE courses, except for EDCC 291. Must be taken in final 2 semesters
EDTE 290 Practicum and Seminar in Early Childhood LearningThis course is composed of a practicum in one or more school settings and an on-campus seminar . Within the practicum, students will spend a minimum of four (4) hours a week in an approved early childhood learning site, observing, documenting, and working with early childhood educators and children. Within the weekly seminar, students will reflect upon, research, discuss, and write about theories and practices of early childhood education as experienced in their practicum sites and elsewhere. Note: Students must be available to spend the designated hours in a setting approved by the AA in Early Childhood Education program director.
3 credits
Prerequisites: All EDCC and EDTE courses, except EDCC 292; must be taken during the final 2 semesters.
ENGL 106 Writing for Academic & Profess. SuccessFocuses on planning, writing, and revising compositions for academic and professional purposes, including informational, analytical, evaluative, and persuasive compositions. Develops skills in accessing, evaluating, using, and documenting informational sources. Introduces students to professional writing applications, including memos, resumes, and reports. This course is only open to students in the Associate's Degree program. No other students are allowed to register.
ENGL 107 College CompositionDevelops effective writing of evidence-based, thesis-centered academic essays. Emphasizes the research and documentation skills necessary for successful academic writing. Focuses on argumentative essays that build to a substantive research paper. Formerly ENG 107 College Composition.
3 credits
General Education: Foundational Skills Area
FLC Area I Core Area I: Skills for Work and Life
ENVS 101 Discovering Planet EarthIntroduces non-science majors to evolution, earth science, and plate tectonics with an emphasis on the mid-Atlantic region. Labs include use of the scientific method, development of observational skills, computer-assisted learning, and several field trips. There is an additional laboratory fee for this course. Formerly ENV 101 Discovering Planet Earth.
4 credits
General Education: Knowledge and Inquiry Area
FLC Area IV
Core Area II: Understanding Self, Society, and Nature
ENVS 102 Science of the EnvironmentIntroduces non-science majors to evolution, earth science, and plate tectonics with an emphasis on the mid-Atlantic region. Labs include use of the scientific method, development of observational skills, computer-assisted learning, and several field trips. There is an additional laboratory fee for this course. Formerly ENV 101 Discovering Planet Earth.

This course is only open to students in the Associate Degree Program.
HIS 130 Introduction to American CivilizationsExplores the major themes that have shaped the American experience from the Colonial period to 1890. Topics include the Age of Exploration and Discovery, the American Revolution, the causes of the Civil War, and industrialization and urbanization.
3 credits
General Education Curriculum: Knowledge and Inquiry
FLC Area II, History Cluster
HIS 134 American CivilizationThis course will examine the major developments in American history to 1877 (discovery, colonization, American Revolution, establishment of the Constitution, westward expansion, the role of ethnic minorities and women, Civil War, and Reconstruction). Students will be able to describe key historical terms and theories in American History and demonstrate knowledge of these theories clearly in both written and oral communication; analyze the role of state and federal government and the rights of citizens in terms of the U.S. Constitution; critically evaluate how historians and others have interpreted the American past; analyze various perspectives and interpretations of historical issues and events; identify and explain chronological relationships and cause and effect relationships in history; and evaluate contemporary problems/issues in terms of historical perspectives.
3 credits
This course is only open to students in the Associate's Degree Program at THEARC. No other students are allowed to register.
Prerequisites: None
INT 109 Information LiteracyIntroduces information literacy, skills, and technology tools that support the discovery, analysis, and integration used in critical thinking and constructing knowledge in the classroom and the larger world, including values and legal issues that impact ethical use of these tools.
3 credits
Core Area I: Skills for Work and Life
INT 117 Introduction to Information LiteracyIn order to be successful in both the academic and professional realm, a student must be able to discover, retrieve, evaluate, manage and communicate all forms of information. The purpose of this course is to help students learn the importance of the internet as a research tool and to enable students to evaluate the quality of information and understand how information is to be used in a way that supports critical thinking and communication of thoughts, ideas, and/or opinions. This course will also give students a clear understanding of the ethical and legal issues surrounding the use of information.

This course is only open to students in the Associate's Degree program. Formerly ISYS 102.
MATH 109 Foundations of MathematicsTeaches quantitative reasoning through relevant topics that promote quantitative literacy for the liberal arts, social sciences, and humanities. Topics include financial literacy, unit conversions, an introduction to linear and exponential functions and mathematical modeling, probability and statistics, and the use of math in political discourse. Formerly MAT 109 Foundations of Mathematics.
4 credits
Prerequisites: None
General Education and Core: Foundational Skills
MATH 111 Applied Mathematical SkillsCovers basic algebra with an emphasis on problem solving skills; elementary mathematical modeling, focusing on applications to real world phenomena; probability theory and applications; and introduction to the use of statistics to describe and analyze data.
3 credits
MATH 113 Mathematics for Early Childhood EducatorsDesigned for early childhood educators, this course provides rigorous immersion in content areas such as numbers, quantity, data interpretation, representation, algebra and geometry. This course supports preparation for the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators: Mathematics (5733) test, and includes on-line and laboratory components
*3 credits
MATH 115 Mathematics for EducatorsThis core mathematics course covers numbers and quantity, data interpretation and representation, and algebra and geometry. This course will include a lab and online component providing a rigorous immersion into the content area. The content of this course will help to prepare students for the Praxis Early Childhood Education (5025) and Praxis Elementary Education: Mathematics (5003/7003) certification exams. 3 credits
PHIL 101 Logic and Problem SolvingDevelops skills in reasoning and use of logic to assess arguments. Provides tools for creative and critical thinking. Emphasizes the enhancement of decision-making and problem-solving capabilities. This course is only open to students in the Associate's Degree program. No other students are allowed to register.
3 credits
PHIL 103 Reasoning and ArgumentationPresents examples of analysis and argumentation in order to examine what constitutes either a deductive and an inductive argument, the notions of validity and truth, the justificatory power of evidence as well as common informal fallacies. The course provides practice in various techniques of argumentation and critical analysis. Formerly PHI 103 Reasoning and Argumentation.
3 credits
General Education Curriculum: Foundational Skills Area
FLC Area III
Prerequisite CRS 101 - CAS Only
PHIL 245 Ethics IIntroduces the student to social ethics and the concepts of person and community by examining the moral traditions that inform our understanding of the individual. The course traces the focus of ethics from a concern about what kind of person to be to the more modern and narrow concern in how to act in both the public and private domains, acknowledging the ways in which our cultural and historical practices help shape our vision. Formerly PHI 212 The Moral Dimension: Persons and Community.
3 credits
General Education Curriculum: Values and Beliefs Area
Core Area III: Ethics and Moral Reasoning
PHIL 252 Practical EthicsDevelops students' abilities to handle problematic ethical situations in their lives and work, and to come up with constructive responses to ethical dilemmas. The course will build skills in respectful, open dialogue about values and ethics. It will also increase students' awareness of and responsiveness to diverse values, including an understanding of tensions between values as well as the importance of seeking common ethical ground. This course is open only to students in the Associate in Arts program.
3 credits
PSYC 100 Fundamentals of PsychologyIntroduces students to the primary concepts of psychology, and to the tools of psychologists use to study the wide variety of human behavior. Provides a general overview of the fields of psychology through lectures, readings, shsort thought papers, and interactive class activities. The course surveys several major topic areas: the biology of behavior, learning, memory, conciousness, personality, and abnormal behavior. Students will learn to critically evaluate the state of knowledge in the field, particularly as it applies to a higly diverse society as or own.
PSYC 101 Introductory PsychologyIntroduces the student to the scientific study of the mind and behavior. All major sub-areas of psychology (social, developmental, clinical, physiological, motivation and emotion, sensation and perception) are explored, as well as the major theoretical perspectives (behavioral, cognitive, psychoanalytic, and humanistic). Formerly PSY 121 Introductory Psychology.
3 credits
General Education Curriculum: Knowledge and Inquiry Area
FLC Area V
Core: Area II
SOCY 100 Introduction to SociologyIntroduces students to the science of sociology and prepares students for upper-level social science course work. Formerly SOC 100 Introduction to Sociology.
3 credits
General Education Curriculum: Knowledge and Inquiry Area
FLC Area V
Core Area II: Understanding the Self and Society
SOCY 101 Social IssuesExamines contemporary social issues in the United States using current sociological approaches and theories. Topics include poverty, racism and sexual discrimination, health care, aging, violence, family and community structures, and substance abuse. This course is open only to students in the Associate's Degree program. No other students are allowed to register.
3 credits

Related Programs

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Early Childhood Community Education

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Early Childhood Education

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Elementary Education

[/catalog-courses]