2024-2025 Pierce College Catalog
Early Childhood Education (AAS-T) Course Map
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 Return to: Education Career Pathway
Created by Pierce faculty, this map outlines the initial coursework for this career field. It provides you a clear path to complete your degree by listing a specific set of courses relevant to your program and career. The map is designed with the appropriate number of credits and meets degree requirements. Courses are organized in a recommended sequence; please schedule accordingly. If a course is unavailable, select the next appropriate course within the sequence. For each course, a purpose statement explains how the content relates to your career field. On this map, there may be instances when you will be required to select a course from several options. Use these purpose statements and notes to choose the course that best aligns with your interests and needs. You will also find action items to complete to assure you progress and graduate on time.
While this map is a great guide to courses required to complete the Associate in Applied Science - Transfer Early Childhood Education, you are responsible for fulfilling all degree requirements.
Questions? Your Success Network is ready to help you!
Program and Employment Eligibility Requirements
Child care providers are required by the state to meet general qualifications for their position. Washington Administrative Code (WAC) 110-300-0105 outlines pre-service requirements needed prior to working with children. WAC 110-300-0100 outlines the age and education requirements to be hired for positions. WAC 110-300-0106 outlines the training requirements to be a child care provider.
To be eligible for practicum courses in the program students must meet WAC 110-300-0105 pre-service requirements that include a cleared portable background check and a negative FDA-approved TB test. Additionally students must be CPR, first aid, and food handler trained as outlined in WAC 110-300-106.
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2. English Composition I
Course must be completed with a 2.0 or higher.
- ENGL& 101 English Composition I (5 credits)
Course purpose: As an elementary teacher you will often find yourself writing lessons, creating assessments, and communicating in writing with parents, fellow teachers, and the principal. ENGL& 101 will provide the foundational skills of developing these writing skills. Note: Your advisor will assist you in reviewing your Guided Self Placement and selecting either the 5-credit or the 7-credit co-requisite ENGL& 101 + ENGLC 101 course.
3. Introduction to Early Childhood Education
Action Item: Background Check
Apply for Portable Background Check through the Department of Early Learning and schedule TB test.
Action Item: Meet with Advisor
Use your Success Network! In your first quarter, meet with your advisor to revisit your career and transfer path, make adjustments to your goals as needed, and plan for your next steps.
4. Health, Safety and Nutrition
- ECED& 107 Health, Safety and Nutrition (5 credits)
Course purpose: This class is an overview of the State and national guidelines and policies for health, safety, and nutrition in Early Childhood Education. This class sets the foundation of teaching you about creating a safe and healthy learning environment for children. This course is also required to meet mandated report criteria for Early Childhood Education.
Action Item: Meet with Advisor
Meet with an advisor to select the appropriate math class.
5. Math Course Recommendation
Choose one. Course must be completed with a 2.0 or higher.
- MATH 111 College Math for Early Childhood Education (5 credits)
Course purpose: This course looks at quantitative mathematical content for children up to 3rd grade. It is particularly designed for teachers in the Early Childhood Education field and covers all five strands from the NCTM standards. - MATH& 131 Math for Elementary Education 1 (5 credits)
Course purpose: Course focuses on elementary education math concepts. Note: The math course you select will depend on the Career Pathway Map you are following, the transfer institution/degree that you select, and your math placement guidance. Your advisor will assist you in selecting the relevant 5 or 7 credit course(s) based upon co-requisite options.
Action Item: Washington Educator Skills Test Basic (WEST-B)
If applying to the Pierce College BAS-T program or transferring to any BAS program with teacher licensure, a basic skills assessment (WEST-B) is required. For details, please see the Washington Educator Skills Test - B page.
Action Item: Practicum Application
Complete practicum application and turn it into Field Placement and Teacher Certification Manager for ECED& 120.
6. Practicum: Focus on Relationships
Action Item: Apply for Initial Certificate
Apply for the State Initial Early Childhood Education Certificate.
7. Child Development
- EDUC& 115 Child Development (5 credits)
Course purpose: This course will help you build a functional understanding of the foundation of child development, prenatal to early adolescence. Observe and document physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development of children, reflective of cross cultural and global perspectives. This content of this course is required to have a solid understand to help create and effective learning environment for child developmental learning stages.
Action Item: Apply for Short Certificate
Apply for the State Short Certificate in Early Childhood Education- ECE General.
9. Child, Family, and Community
10. Curriculum Development
- ECED& 160 Curriculum Development (5 credits)
Course purpose: You develop their understanding and ability of creating class curriculum based on the investigation of learning theory, and program planning. In this class you will further gain understanding in the importance promoting language, fine/gross motor, social-emotional, cognitive and creative skills and growth in young children.
Action Item: Practicum Application
Complete practicum application and turn it into Field Placement and Teacher Certification Manager for ECED& 190.
11. Observation and Assessment
- ECED& 190 Observation and Assessment (3 credits)
Course purpose: You will learn and put to practice in the field the skill of collecting and record observation of young children in order to plan for and support the child, the family, the group and the community.
12. Environments for Young Children
13. Language and Literacy Development
- ECED& 180 Language and Literacy Development (3 credits)
Course purpose: Teaches developing teaching strategies for language acquisition and literacy skill development at each developmental stage (birth-age 8) through the four interrelated areas of speaking, listening, writing, and reading. Students in early childhood education settings must be prepared to teach art to young children.
Action Item: Apply for State Certificate
Apply for the State Early Childhood Education Certificate.
14. Art for Teachers
Course must be completed with a 1.50 or higher.
- ART 215 Art for Teachers (5 credits)
Course purpose: This class provides a general introduction to the visual arts as applied to the development of young children birth through grade 3. Explores theories, techniques, and curriculum design in order to offer a wide variety of developmentally appropriate art media to children and create a comprehensive art curriculum.
Action Item: Complete Student Teaching Application
Complete student teaching application and turn it into Field Placement and Teacher Certification Manager for ECED 270/ECED 275.
15. Social Science Course Recommendation
Choose one. Course must be completed with a 1.50 or higher.
- SOC& 101 Introduction to Sociology (5 credits)
Course purpose: In this field you need an understanding of systemic issues impacting education today, including sex, gender, race, ethnicity, and social stratification. This course provides broad overview of sociology which is the study of society and human interaction. - SOC& 201 Social Problems (5 credits)
Course purpose: In this field you need an understanding of systemic issues impacting education today, including sex, gender, race, ethnicity, and social stratification. This course explores some of the socio-culturally defined problems today. - SOC 235 Race and Ethnicity (5 credits)
Course purpose: Teachers need an understanding of systemic issues impacting education today, including sex, gender, race, ethnicity, and social stratification. This course explores race and ethnicity in contemporary society. - ANTH& 106 American Mosaic (5 credits)
Course purpose: In this field you need an understanding of systemic issues impacting education today, including sex, gender, race, ethnicity, and social stratification. This class explores multiculturalism in the US and various aspects of social identity.
16. Introduction to Inclusive Education
Action Item: Complete Practicum Application
Complete practicum application and turn it into Field Placement and Teacher Certification Manager for EDUC 223.
17. Practicum: Focus on Special Education
18. Music for Teachers
Course must be completed with a 1.50 or higher.
- MUSC 205 Music for Teachers (5 credits)
Course purpose: In this course you will explore practical uses of music in the early learning environment to help facilitate learning for children with different learning styles. This is done through exploring theories, techniques, and cultural influences in relation to curriculum design.
Action Item: Apply for Graduation
Way to go! It is time to apply for graduation and/or apply for BAS-T program. For graduation details, visit the Pierce College Graduation website.
19. Natural Science Course Recommendation
Choose one. Course must be completed with a 1.50 or higher.
- NSCI 150 Nature (5 credits)
Course purpose: Early Childhood Education teachers need a broad foundation of science skills, including life sciences.
The emphasis of the course is to identify the major life forms found in a specific area or region including native and introduced species, and their adaptations to the environment. The course focuses on the observation of nature for both scientific and recreational purposes. Includes lab and field studies.
This course explores local plants and animals which helps to teach to the Next Generation Science Standards. - BIOL& 100 Survey of Biology (5 credits)
Course purpose: Early Childhood Education teachers need a broad foundation of science skills, including life sciences.
Emphasis on the study of cells, genetics, ecology, diversity of life, and physiology in order to establish a foundation of understanding and respect of life. This course includes a lab.
This course provides a broad overview of biology which helps to teach to the Next Generation Science Standards. - GEOL 107 Exploring Earth Science (5 credits)
Course purpose: Early Childhood Education teachers need a broad foundation of science skills, including earth sciences.
An introductory Earth Science course that covers essential topics in geology, meteorology, oceanography, and astronomy. The focus is on the system connections and interrelationships between the four Earth Science disciplines. Special emphasis will be placed on examples from the Pacific Northwest. Appropriate for non-science and science majors, and elementary education majors. May require field trip or project. Lab included.
This course explores geology, meteorology, oceanography, and astronomy and the relations between these earth science concepts. This helps to teach to the Next Generation Science Standards. - PS 101 Introduction to Physical Science (5 credits)
Course purpose: Early Childhood Education teachers need a broad foundation of science skills, including physical and earth sciences.
An introductory course for non-science majors covering the concepts of physics, chemistry, earth science, and astronomy. Lab included.
This course explores physics, chemistry, earth science, and astronomy. This helps to teach to the Next Generation Science Standards.
20. Math/Science for Children
21. Communication Course Recommendation
Choose one. Course must be completed with a 1.50 or higher.
- CMST& 101 Introduction to Communications (5 credits)
Course purpose: Early Childhood Education teachers need to be effective oral communicators in the classroom and working with parents and co-workers. This course provides a broad overview of communication.
An investigation into communication theory including verbal and non-verbal communication. Communication barriers and processes will be studied. You will also make presentations before the class. - CMST& 220 Fundamentals of Public Speaking (5 credits)
Course purpose: Early Childhood Education teachers need to be effective oral communicators in the classroom and working with parents and co-workers. This course provides a broad overview of communication.
A beginning course in public speaking emphasizing speech organization, audience analysis, organization and delivery. Frequent presentations will be made before the class in which the student will be given the opportunity to explore his/her own speaking capabilities. - CMST& 230 Small Group Communication (5 credits)
Course purpose: Early Childhood Education teachers need to be effective oral communicators in the classroom and working with parents and co-workers. This course focuses on small group communication which is how a lot of instruction happens in elementary schools and is essential on your grade level team.
Understanding the principles and processes of oral communication within groups. The course uses theory with practice in participating in group presentations and meetings. The course will examine group presentation skills, group problem solving, listening, leadership, conflict management and group role and group development. The focus is to prepare you for effective group communications at work, socially and in the community. - CMST& 240 Intercultural Communication (5 credits)
Course purpose: The examination of the effects of culture upon the process of communication. Using theory and skill development, students are prepared to communicate effectively both within and across cultures.
22. Planning and Assessment for Student Teaching
23. Early Childhood Student Teaching
Optional Courses to Earn Specialization Certificates
Action Item: Apply for a Short Certificate
If you took any of the optional courses, apply for a short Certificate of Specialization in that area.
ctcLink Plan Code: ECEECAAS
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Return to: Education Career Pathway
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