Early Childhood Education/Early Childhood Special Education - A.A.T. Degree (Transfer)
APPLICATION CODE 254
For curriculum information, contact the Social Sciences and Teacher Education Division – Room AC-230—443-518-1620.
Early Childhood Education is defined as grades Pre-K through three in the state of Maryland. This curriculum prepares students to transfer to an Early Childhood Education or Early Childhood Special Education program at a four-year college or university in the state of Maryland. The Associate of Arts in Teaching (A.A.T.) degree has been articulated with all of the transfer programs in early childhood education in the state of Maryland. Students who receive the A.A.T. degree must have a cumulative G.P.A. of 2.75, *pass a required basic skills test, and **complete 45 hours of field experience. Upon completion of the A.A.T. degree, students are eligible to be admitted as an early childhood education major at their Maryland transfer institution.
Suggested Semester 1
Suggested Semester 2
Suggested Semester 3
Suggested Semester 4
Total Credit Hours: 63
*To receive the AAT degree, students must earn: (1) a 3.0 cumulative grade point average on a 4.0 scale, or (2) a 2.75-2.99 cumulative grade point average on a 4.0 scale and qualifying scores on the basic skills assessment for teacher licensure as established by the State Superintendent of Schools and as approved by the State Board of Education (e.g. SAT, ACT, Praxis). Students are encouraged to submit the qualifying scores at the completion of college-level math and prior to the final semester before transfer.
**AAT students are required to complete 45 hours of observation in school settings as part of the preparation for becoming an educator. These hours are incorporated in several courses including EDUC 200 and EDUC 220.
The Introduction to Special Education course required by Howard Community College is a necessary requirement of the college’s A.A.T. degree but is not sufficient to meet all special education or inclusion course requirements for four-year teacher education programs. Students may be required to take additional special education or inclusion courses as part of the requirements for a baccalaureate degree and teacher education certification at four-year institutions.
A graduate should be able to
- Demonstrate foundational knowledge of the learning process, as well as child and adolescent development, with an emphasis on students with special needs.
- Demonstrate foundational knowledge of content including the theories, concepts, and skills central to the discipline or disciplines one intends to teach.
- Demonstrate foundational knowledge of teaching practices including construction of engaging learning activities, assessment for and of learning, and the design and maintenance of supportive learning environments.
- Engage in ethical reasoning in the educational field.