Associate in Science in Early Childhood Education

ENG110

College Writing - 3 Credits

This course is designed to develop and refine the analytical/critical reading skills and the substantive writing skills of freshmen.  This intensive writing class will focus on writing essays of varying length and expose students to the various rhetorical modes of writing that will contribute to their success in university courses and their chosen careers.

LCS105

Elements of Organization - 3 Credits

Students need a basic understanding of how organizations work in order to manage their personal and professional lives. This course provides an interdisciplinary perspective on the foundations underlying all organizations (businesses, non-profit and governmental organizations) specifically as they relate to the nature of: management and leadership, economics both domestically and internationally, ethics, social responsibility, entrepreneurship, human resource management, marketing/advertising, e-commerce, information technology, accounting, investments, money and personal finances.

ENG120

College Writing II - 3 Credits

College Writing II looks to expand upon the writing skills attained in ENG110. As a student-centered course, students explore their own writing in peer, group, and self-review skill sessions. Students enhance self-editing skills and increase awareness of the revision skills needed in both college coursework and in careers. The course will further develop students' understanding of the writing process from pre-writing to final draft. This course encourages students to have their writing evaluated across the curriculum. The course culminates in a research essay and portfolio of original work.

Pre-requisite: ENG110.

COM107

Intro to Communications - 3 credits

This introductory course will focus on the knowledge and skills that students need to become competent communicators.  This information and these skills will include speaking, listening, media literacy, computer-mediated communication, cultural sensitivity, workplace communication, group dynamics, and critical thinking.  Students will prepare and present speeches and group projects that utilize media and technology.  Emphasis will be place on personal, social and workplace interaction both individually and in group settings.

CIS112

Introduction to Computing - 3 Credits

This course strives to meet the high level of computer literacy required of all students earning a degree from the university. Special emphasis is placed on the ethical use of computer technology for information analysis and communications. Computer units introduce the Internet, Windows, word processing, spreadsheets, and presentation software. Students who feel they have attained computer literacy and earn 70 percent on an exemption exam may substitute any other 3-credit course for this core requirement. 

Students may prove competency by passing a waiver examination.  No credit is granted if the requirement is waived.

CHS111

Foundations of Early Childhood Education - 3 Credits

This course provides an overview of the theoretical models that have a significant influence on the development of various early childhood curricula.  A historical perspective of early childhood education is provided, leading up to an including present-day practices.  Students will learn to apply theory to practice within the classroom setting for children ages' birth through eight, including children with exceptionalities.  Ethical issues in the Early Childhood setting will be explored.

CHS199

Practicum I - 3 Credits

This course provides students with practical experiences in an early childhood education setting. Students are required to spend 15 hours per semester in seminar sessions and to assist in a early care and education facility for 100 hours. Students must demonstrate competency in providing a safe, healthy, learning environment that enables young children to develop physical, cognitive, and communication skills.

Prerequisite: CHS111 or ECE Academic Program Manager.

PSY201

Child Development - 3 Credits

This course emphasizes the psychological development of the child from birth to adolescence. Consideration is given to data, theories, and methods of studying child behavior. Emphasis is placed upon the general characteristics of various stages of development and upon general determinants of the developmental process.

Prerequisite: PSY101

CHS201

Creative Activities - 3 Credits

This course covers the development of young children's art. Developmentally appropriate means of facilitating creative abilities for diverse groups through painting, drawing, clay, collage, and construction are examined.

Prerequisite: CHS111 or ECE Academic Program Manager.

Studio fee required.

CHS252

Social Studies in the Early Childhood Classroom - 3 Credits

This course introduces teachers of young children to a variety of themes and strategies that promote social awareness, pro-social behavior, and interpersonal skills for young children.  This course will encourage students to examine the ways in which the classroom environment and the world outside the classroom affect learning.  Concepts in ethnicity, family and community life, and diversity are explored.  Curriculum planning for young children with a wide variety of needs and abilities will be addressed. 

Prerequisite:  CHS111

CHS203

Children's Literature and Language Arts - 3 Credits

This course is designed to acquaint students with an integrated approach to children's literature.  Folk and multicultural literature and contemporary issues in children's literature will be examined. This course explores the use of technology in educational settings and plans for literature based units.

Prerequisite:  CHS111

CHS208

Teaching the Exceptional Child - 3 Credits

This course provides information about the exceptional learner. Topics include: history / philosophy/ laws of educating exceptional learners (including English Language Learners), characteristics of the exceptional child, assessment tools, instructional planning and teaching using individualized strategies with complementary techniques and technologies, home / school /community resources and inclusion.

Prerequisite:  CHS111

CHS250

Math, Science & Technology in the Early Childhood Classroom - 3 Credits

This course introduces students to curriculum strategies to be used with young children to promote their mathematical and scientific abilities.  Additionally, it will provide instruction on how to incorporate technology into the early childhood classroom.  Attention is given to the developmental needs of the children and the developmental appropriateness of the lessons.

Prerequisite: CHS111

CHS254

Health, Safety and Nutrition - 3 Credits

This course explores the issues of health, safety and nutrition in relation to the normal growth and development of young children.  Emphasis is placed on the recognition and measurement of normal growth patterns, principles of good nutrition, hygiene, health maintenance and illness prevention.  Understanding cultural issues and special needs of individual children are addressed as aspects of health and safety. 

Prerequisite:  CHS111

CHS298

Practicum II - 3 Credits

This course is a continuation of CHS199 and provides students with practical experiences in early childhood education. Students spend 15 hours per semester in seminars and assist in their professional area for 100 hours. Students must demonstrate mastery of the core competency areas of creative development, self, social, guidance, families, and professionalism, when planning activities for young children.

Prerequisite: CHS199 or ECE Academic Program Manager.

MAT105

Quantitative Methods - 3 Credits

This course is a survey of elementary algebra, personal finance, probability, and statistics.  Topics include: solving algebraic equations and graphing, recognizing and solving ratio and inequality problems, applications involving percentage and interest, applying the definition of probability, and elementary data analysis of graphs, including finding mean, median and mode.  Topics will focus on real-life situations, decision making skills and problem solving. This course is intended to prepare the student with the skills necessary for a subsequent course in statistics.

CHS299

Practicum - 3 Credits

This course provides students with practical experiences in early childhood education.  Students participate each week in seminars and assist in their professional area (in pre-K/K regular education or inclusive setting) for 100 hours.  Students must demonstrate competencies in planning and carrying out appropriate lessons to promote young children's cognitive, creative, language, and social development.  Students will be introduced to the Connecticut Preschool Benchmarks and the Creative Curriculum for use in planning lessons. 

Prerequisite: Permission of Advisor/ECE Academic Program Manager.

MAT120

College Algebra - 3 Credits

This course provides a review of the fundamentals of algebra: a study of function theory, specifically linear and quadratic functions; matrix operations; and linear programming. Emphasis is placed on problem-solving techniques with special attention given to business and other applications.

Prerequisite: MAT101 or placement examination.

CSA101

Exploring Self: Inside Out - 3 credits

This course will focus on self-discovery and interaction with others to provide learners with the foundation for examining and further developing their own personal effectiveness. An environment of trust will be built within the class to enable individual and collective openness, discovery and engagement in personal learning. The course will use experiential learning, personal reflection and group interaction as primary approaches. This is a hybrid course, with classroom interaction time blended with online learning and interaction through the Blackboard learning management system.

SOC101

Principles of Sociology - 3 Credits

This course is an introduction to the basic concepts in Sociology and an analysis of culture, socialization, stratification, social organization, class, social interaction, social change, and conflict.

PSY101

Fundamentals of Psychology I - 3 Credits

This course examines the nature of psychology as a social and behavioral science. It surveys fundamental areas in behavior including research in psychology, the brain and behavior, learning, human development and socialization, intelligence, personality, health psychology, and social psychology.

BIO120

Concepts of Biology - 3 Credits

This survey course assists students in understanding the basic and unifying principles of life. Students focus on a wide variety of topics including structure and function, organization, diversity, biochemistry, evolution, behavior, ecology, and population dynamics.