Early Childhood Education A.A.S.

Overview

Learn to teach.

Young children need quality educators and administrators. The two-year Early Childhood Education Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) program at Nashville State prepares students for jobs in early childhood, and sets them up for continued education if desired.

Build your own program.

Most education employers prefer teachers and administrators with degrees, and they will pay higher for it. The NSCC Early Childhood Education program is designed so that you can build your qualifications one credential at a time with CDA Prep Courses, a Technical Certificate, an Associate of Science in Teaching, and this Associate of Applied Science.

Our mission

The mission of the Early Childhood Education Program (ECED) at Nashville State Community College (NSCC) is to develop knowledgeable, responsive, and innovative professionals who accomplish positive change in the lives of diverse children, families, and communities we serve. See our full conceptual framework.

The Early Childhood Education Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree program at Nashville State Community College is accredited by the Commission on the Accreditation of Early Childhood Higher Education Programs of the National Association for the Education of Young Children. The accreditation term runs from March 2015 through March 2021.

Requirements

The Early Childhood Education Program supports the professional development of the student through a comprehensive curriculum offering the student both theoretical and practical experiences concerning young children and families. Upon completion of an Associate of Applied Science in Early Childhood Education, students will meet the following program learning outcomes.

Promote child development and learning of young children from diverse backgrounds
Build family and community relationships within diverse communities
Observe, document, and assess to support young children and families
Design, implement, and evaluate curriculum that is developmentally appropriate to promote positive development and learning outcomes for each child
Identify and conduct themselves as members of the early childhood profession

Students are assessed using the NAEYC Professional Preparation Standards. The standards are embedded in the curriculum and evaluated each semester. Data is collected and analyzed to determine student success on each of the program learning outcomes. View the most recent data report under the Program Performance tab.

Practicum Courses

ECED 2335 – Initial Practicum (formerly ECED 2335)
ECED 2365 – Final Practicum (formerly ECED 2365)

To register for the practicum courses, you must:

Receive a grade of "C" or higher in all ECED courses taken
Meet all prerequisites

Contact an advisor for more information.

Grading Policy

To complete the A.A.S. degree you must receive a grade of "C" or higher in all early childhood courses. All graduates must maintain a GPA of 2.75 to meet graduation requirements.

Transfer/Advising

The A.A.S. degree is designed to prepare a student for employment upon graduation. Some universities, at their discretion, accept technical courses for transfer. A student who plans to transfer to a university should consult their advisor and the receiving university about transfer and articulation policies. Failure to do so could result in the loss of transfer credits.

Background Check

To work in an early childhood program licensed by the State of Tennessee Department of Human Services, you must undergo a criminal history and abuse registry background check. This is required by the state and initiated by the employer. The requirement of a background check may also be required as requested by practicum sites for completion of ECED 2335 and ECED 2365.

Other Education Programs

Early Childhood Education Technical Certificate

Prepare for a job in early education as a caregiver or administrator in just a year.

Learn more

Early Childhood Education A.S.T. Degree

Transfer to a four-year university to become a certified, licensed Pre-K to 3rd grade teacher in a public or private school.

Learn more

CDA Credential

Complete training credits as part of earning a Childhood Development Associate (CDA) Credential.

Four courses (12 credits) help prepare you for your CDA:

ECED 1310 - Introduction to Early Childhood Education
ECED 2310 - Safe, Healthy Learning Environments
ECED 2315 - Early Childhood Curriculum
ECED 2340 - Family Dynamics & Community Involvement

See the NSCC Catalog for course descriptions, syllabi, textbook, and scheduling information.

For help with tuition and assessment fees or completing the national assessment for the CDA, reach out to the TECTA at Tennessee State University office or the TECTA at Austin Peay State University office.

Contact

Program Office, D-20

Melissa Fleck, Program Faculty
Melissa.Fleck@nscc.edu
931-472-3459

Jennifer Goncalves, Program Faculty
Jennifer.Goncalves@nscc.edu
615-353-3519

Kassidy Schmidt, Program Faculty
Kassidy.Schmidt@nscc.edu
615-353-3616

Karen Stevenson, Division Dean
Karen.Stevenson@nscc.edu
615-353-3430

Ruth Green, Division Office
Ruth.Green@nscc.edu
615-353-3531

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