;
Rouse Company Foundation Student Services Building

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

Course NumberTitleCredits
ENGL 121College Composition

3

BIOL 100Biology and Society

4

EDUC 111Child Growth and Development

3

MATH 127Concepts of Mathematics I

4

Suggested Semester 2

Course NumberTitleCredits
EDUC 110Introduction to Education

3

EDUC 112Methods and Materials in Early Childhood Education

3

HUMN 108Introduction to the Creative Arts

3

MATH 128Concepts of Mathematics II

4

PHYS 107Physical Science

4

Suggested Semester 3

Course NumberTitleCredits
EDUC 200Introduction to Special Education

3

MATH 129Concepts of Mathematics III

4

PHYS 106Earth and Space Science

4

PSYC 101General Psychology

3

SOCI 101Introduction to Sociology

3

Suggested Semester 4

Course NumberTitleCredits
EDUC 201Processes and Acquisition of Reading

3

EDUC 220Field Experience in Education

3

GEOG 101Introduction to World Geography

3

HIST 111American History to 1877

3

OR

HIST 112American History Since 1877

3

Gen Ed Core Arts & Humanities - Oral Communication Core

3

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

  1. Demonstrate foundational knowledge of the learning process, as well as child and adolescent development, with an emphasis on students with special needs.
  2. Demonstrate foundational knowledge of content including the theories, concepts, and skills central to the discipline or disciplines one intends to teach.
  3. 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.
  4. Engage in ethical reasoning in the educational field.

This program is in the Education Pathway.

Guided Pathways is a nationwide educational strategy that provides a structured and collaborative approach to student success. Guided Pathways connect students to the specific resources in an intentional and deliberate way in order to support student success.

For information about advising, please visit the Advising web page.

View the Education Pathway activities calendar

View activities for all Guided Pathways

Course NumberTitleCredits