Associate of Applied Science in Early Childhood Development

Description and Outcomes

The Associate of Applied Science in Early Childhood Development program is designed to provide you with the introductory knowledge and skills to work with young children (birth through age 8) and families in early childhood settings. Specific emphasis is placed on the young child's growth and development, working with children in the inclusive classroom, health and nutrition needs, and lesson planning and implementation.

The program's curriculum links applied theory to practice, ethics, and professionalism, and provides a foundation in critical thinking and communication skills to support the roles and responsibilities of early childcare professionals in diverse learning environments.

Program Length

The Associate of Applied Science in Early Childhood Development program consists of a minimum of 90 quarter credit hours. Upon successful completion of the program, you will be awarded an associate of applied science degree.

Program Outcomes

Discipline-Specific Outcomes

  1. Knowledge Base: Apply knowledge of child development and learning theory in early childhood settings.
  2. Child, Family, and Community Relationships: Explain the development and implementation of strategies for building family and community relationships.
  3. Observation and Assessment: Identify developmentally appropriate observational and assessment techniques for informing instructional planning for children and their families.
  4. Learning Environments: Use developmentally appropriate principles, tools, and practices to create effective learning environments for young children.
  5. Ethics and Professionalism: Apply early childhood professional standards, ethical values, critical inquiry, and advocacy practices in early childhood settings.
  6. Individuality and Cultural Diversity: Examine the importance of individuality and cultural diversity of children and their families to learning and development.

General Education Literacies and Professional Competencies

In addition to the discipline-specific outcomes, general education literacies and professional competencies are integrated throughout your academic program. You can review the general education literacies and professional competencies associated with your academic program in the General Education and Professional Competency Requirements section of this Catalog.

Program Availability

For program availability, please refer to the U.S. State and Other Approvals section and Program Availability Information.

Policies

Certification, State Board, and National Board Exams

Certification and licensure boards have state-specific educational requirements for programs that lead to a license or certification that is a precondition for employment. Prospective and current students must review Purdue Global’s State Licensure and Certifications site to view program and state-specific licensure information.

Licensure-track programs may limit enrollment to students in certain states; please see Purdue Global’s Program Availability Information to determine enrollment eligibility.

You are responsible for understanding the requirements of optional certification exams. Such requirements may change during the course of your program. You are not automatically certified in any way upon program completion. Although certain programs are designed to prepare you to take various optional certification exams, Purdue Global cannot guarantee you will be eligible to take these exams or become certified. Your eligibility may depend on your work experience, completion of education and/or degree requirements, not having a criminal record, and meeting other certification requirements.

Kentucky Students

Please be advised that this program is not accredited in Kentucky by the Education Professional Standards Board and is not recognized for initial, additional, or renewal of certification or salary enhancement (rank change) for P–12 educators in Kentucky. For more information, please visit the Education Professional Standards Board’s website at: http://www.epsb.ky.gov/mod/page/view.php?id=12.