Early Childhood Care and Education (Ages 0-5) (Teaching Certificate) (B.S.)

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Graduates of this major are qualified to teach in Head Start settings, Early Head Start settings, Pre-K programs, and private child care settings and are qualified to work as directors or center coordinators of child care programs, and social service public and private organizations. There is a critical need for well educated teachers working with children from birth to five based on well documented research. This research proves that children in high quality early childhood care and education settings are more likely to be emotionally secure, self-confident, more advanced intellectually, and better able to regulate aggression. Child care providers who receive education in early childhood development are more likely to provide the high quality care needed to reach these outcomes. Candidates who complete the GSC B.S. in Early Childhood Care and Education program are caring and reflective decision makers who are committed to maximizing all students’ development as contributing citizens in a diverse and democratic society. They balance professional dispositions and content knowledge with pedagogical skills as they collaboratively interact with students, families, and the community.

Entrance Requirements

Complete all GSC general institutional admissions requirements.
Declare a major in Early Childhood Care and Education.
Must have a 2.5 GPA to apply to the program
Complete a minimum of 42 general education credits
Achieve a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale)
Complete Area F coursework
Post a passing score on GACE I test or its equivalent
Agree to request a criminal background check
Supply three letters of recommendation, letter of intent, disposition essay, and a signed liability insurance form.

Core Curriculum Area F (18 hours)

Required Courses

ECDV 1101 - Introduction to Child Development Location Offered: Gainesville Campus
ECDV 2040 - Family System and Parent Involvement Location Offered: Gainesville Campus
ECDV 2100 - Childhood Health and Wellness Location Offered: Gainesville Campus
EDUC 2110 - Integrating Critical and Contemporary Issues in Education Location Offered: Gainesville and Oconee
EDUC 2120 - Exploring Socio-Cultural Perspectives in Diversity Location Offered: Gainesville and Oconee
EDUC 2130 - Exploring Teaching and Learning Location Offered: Gainesville and Oconee

Major Course Requirements (32 hours)

Required Courses*

ECDV 3300 - Child Psychology Location Offered: Gainesville Campus
ECDV 3400 - Educational and Community Resources Location Offered: Gainesville Campus
ECDV 3500 - Legal Issues in Child Care Settings Location Offered: Gainesville Campus
ECDV 3600 - Infant and Toddler Development Location Offered: Gainesville Campus
ECDV 3700 - Introduction to Special Education Location Offered: Gainesville Campus
ECDV 4100 - Special Education for Early Childhood Educators Location Offered: Gainesville Campus
ECDV 4700 - Language Development and Emergent Literacy Location Offered: Gainesville Campus
ECDV 4940 - Clinical Experience Location Offered: Gainesville Campus
ECDV 4950 - Clinical Experience Location Offered: Gainesville Campus
ECDV 4960 - Clinical Experience Location Offered: Gainesville Campus

Concentration Requirements of the major (choose 28 hours)

ECDV 3100 - Constructive Guidance and Discipline Location Offered: Gainesville Campus
ECDV 3200 - Developmentally Appropriate Curriculum Location Offered: Gainesville Campus
ECDV 3800 - Current Issues in Social Services Location Offered: Gainesville Campus
ECDV 3900 - Family Systems, Relations and Partnerships Location Offered: Gainesville Campus
ECDV 4200 - Child Observation, Record Keeping and Assessment Location Offered: Gainesville Campus
ECDV 4300 - Crisis Intervention Location Offered: Gainesville Campus
ECDV 4400 - Staff and Director Professional Development Location Offered: Gainesville Campus
ECDV 4500 - Facility Management Location Offered: Gainesville Campus
SVLN 1502 - Service Learning Location Offered: Gainesville and Oconee

Program Completion Requirements

Successful completion of all courses required in the degree program (minimum 120 semester credits), including the lower division associate degree requirements.
Successful completion of a minimum of 42 general education credits according to the distribution established by the college (Areas A-E) for its Associate of Science degree program.
Successful completion of at least 39 credits of upper division coursework in the major (3000 and 4000 level courses with the ECDV prefix).
Cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale) required for graduation.
Grades of C or higher required in major courses.
Passing score on the GACE ECCE Content Test.
Meet the GA Professional Standards Commission technology requirement.
Maintain a professional disposition and adhere to the PSC Code of Ethics.
Successful completion of the Regents’ Test.
Complete a minimum of 30 credit hours of major courses in residency at GSC.
Meet all other college graduation policies.