60 Credits AAS3523/AAS2518, Academic Catalog 2026-2027
Resources
The Early Childhood Education Associate of Applied Science (AAS) Degree is designed to prepare individuals for employment in a variety of early childhood and educational settings as early childhood teachers, family child care providers, nannies, directors or site coordinators, and paraprofessionals within a school system
Education for early childhood licensure is provided by South Central College according to the Minnesota Department of Human Services educational requirements. Students learn about child growth and development, positive child guidance strategies, providing safe environments, maintaining children's health, enhancing literacy, cultural sensitivity, children's mental health, special education, and best practices for promoting developmentally appropriate learning experiences for young children
Campuses: Faribault and North Mankato
Program Start Semester: Fall
Base estimate for 60 credit program
Tuition is paid on a semester by semester basis and will vary depending on the courses and total credits you take.
Tuition and Fees: $12,867
Tools and Equipment: $ n/a
Total Estimated Cost: $12,867 *
South Central College is one of the most affordable higher education options in the region.
*Based on 2025-2026 tuition and fees rates. Does not include extra expenses for online delivery, course fees, or course differential. Books, transportation, and living expenses also not included.
The course requirements listed below are specific to the current school year (noted above). If you need to view the program from previous years view our Catalog Archive.
Required Technical Courses (15 Courses)
Complete the following courses:
ECE1205 Introduction to Early Childhood Education (3 credits)
This course provides an overview of the early childhood field, including theories, philosophies, missions, and regulations. It examines the roles and responsibilities of professionals in a variety of career settings. (Prerequisite: None)
ECE1210 Child Growth and Development (3 credits)
This course is the first in a series of courses that is required for a degree in Early Childhood Education and Family Services. This course encompasses multiple, interrelated areas of children's development - including both typical and atypical, for children from conception through age eight in the areas of physical, social, emotional, language, cognitive and aesthetic/creative development and is supported by coherent theoretical perspectives and by current research. The course emphasizes variations across cultures and interactions between maturational processes and environmental factors. (Prerequisite: None)
ECE1220 Health, Wellness & Nutrition (3 credits)
This course will guide the student in obtaining skills needed to establish and maintain a physically and psychologically safe and healthy learning environment for young children. Topics include preventing illness and accidents, handling emergencies, providing health, safety, and nutrition educational experiences, meeting children's basic nutritional needs, child abuse and, current health-related issues. This course does NOT include CPR or first aid certification. (Prerequisites: None)
ECE1230 Behavior Guidance (3 credits)
This course encompasses multiple, interrelated areas of positive child guidance techniques for individual and group situations - including problem prevention and positive guidance strategies, communication, setting limits, problem solving and behavior modification and is supported by coherent theoretical perspectives and by current research. This course emphasizes ways to establish supportive relationships with children and guide them in order to enhance learning, development, and well-being. (Prerequisite: None)
ECE1240 Diverse Children and Family Relations (3 credits)
This course examines how to work with many types of families. Investigates the importance of the family/school partnership, study methods of effectively communicating with families, and identify community organizations and networks that support families. Various classroom strategies will be explored emphasizing culturally and linguistically appropriate anti-bias approaches supporting all children in becoming competent members of a diverse society. (Prerequisites: None)
ECE1270 Creative Activities and Environments (3 credits)
The student will gain knowledge and skills related to providing age-appropriate learning experiences and learning environments for young children. The student will examine the role of the teacher in providing learning experiences to meet each child's needs, capabilities, and interest, and ways to implement the principles of developmentally appropriate practices. The student will practice language and literacy, social, emotional and sensory learning, art and creativity, and math and science learning experiences. (Prerequisite: None)
ECE1311 Infant-Toddler Development and Mental Health (3 credits)
This course provides an overview of infant-toddler theory and development whether in home or center-based settings. Students will gain knowledge of developmental needs, developmentally appropriate environments, effective caregiving, teaching strategies, and observation methods. (Prerequisite: ECE 1210)
ECE2310 Introduction to Special Education (3 credits)
This course examines the development of children with differing abilities. Students will integrate strategies that support inclusive programs for children, apply legal and ethical requirements including, but not limited to, American Disabilities Act and Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Differentiate between typical and atypical development, analyze the differing abilities of children with physical, cognitive, health/medical, communication, and/or behavioral/emotional disorders. Explore strategies to adapt curriculum to meet the needs of children with developmental differences and cultivate partnerships with families. (Prerequisite: ECE 1210)
ECE2510 ECE Internship - Instructor Permission Required (3 credits)
This course provides students an opportunity to demonstrate the early-childhood-teaching competencies explored in other classes while guided by a teacher in a licensed early-childhood program. These competencies include: developing active and developmentally appropriate environments accessible to the multiple needs of learners, positive behavior guidance strategies, communication skills, and development of professional skills such as communication and respectful interactions with families, colleagues, and other potential partners in the care and education of young children in their care. (Prerequisite: Instructor approval)
ECE2520 Children with Challenging Behaviors (3 credits)
This course supports students' understanding of children's behavioral problems and identifies intervention strategies to prevent and resolve problem behaviors. Effective behavior modification techniques and designing behavior plans will be explored. (Prerequisites: ECE 1210 & ECE 1230)
ECE2530 Curriculum Planning (3 credits)
This course provides an advanced level of curriculum planning. Emphasis is on organizing, implementing, and evaluating developmentally appropriate curricula. (Prerequisite: ECE 1270)
ECE2550 Cognitive Development (3 credits)
This course provides an overview of cognitive and executive functioning experiences in home, school, or center-based settings. Students integrate knowledge of child development, learning environments, and teaching methods to promote curiosity, attention, perception, memory, problem solving, logical thinking, and executive functioning. (Prerequisite: ECE 1210)
ECE2560 Introduction to Language and Literacy (3 credits)
This course is an introduction to children's language and literacy development from birth to age eight. Students will obtain skills in creating developmentally appropriate learning experiences that support both oral language and emerging literacy skills among children at all developmental levels. Students will be exposed to a wide range of instructional practices, approaches, methods, and curriculum materials to support children's language and literacy development. (Prerequisite: ECE 1210)
ECE2580 Observation and Assessment (3 credits)
This course focuses on the appropriate use of observation and assessment strategies to document children's development, growth, play and learning, and to join with families and professionals in promoting children's success. The students will explore recording strategies, rating systems, multiple assessment tools, and portfolios. There will be a focus on increasing objectivity in observing and interpreting children's behavior, observing development characteristics, and increasing the awareness of normal patterns of behavior. (Prerequisites: ECE 1210 and ECE 1230.)
ECE2590 Introduction to Children's Mental Health (3 credits)
This course provides a deeper look at social-emotional learning experiences and the long-term effects of positive experiences. Students integrate knowledge of healthy child development, developmentally appropriate learning environments and trauma-informed teaching methods to promote positive emotional development, social development, self-concept, self-esteem, social skills, diversity awareness, resiliency, and attachment. (Prerequisite: ECE 1210 and ECE 1230)
Arts and Sciences - Sociology or Psychology (1 Course)
Select at least one course from MNTC Goal Area 5 in PSYC or SOC.
Arts and Sciences - Communication (1 Course)
Select at least one ENGL or COMM course from MNTC Goal Area 1.
COMM100 Introduction to Human Communication (3 credits)
This course is an introductory survey course of the communication discipline. It provides a sample of topics from interpersonal communication, intercultural communication, public speaking, small group communication, media, organizational communication, and interviewing. This course will offer students knowledge about communication and offer the opportunity to improve their skills. (Prerequisites: Must have a Next-Generation Accuplacer Reading score of 250 or higher, or Classic Accuplacer Reading score of 78 or higher, or completion of either READ 0090 or EAP 0090 or READ 0095 with a grade of C (2.0) or higher, or ACT Reading score of 21 or higher or MCA Reading score of 1047 or higher.) (MNTC 1: Communication)
COMM110 Public Speaking (3 credits)
Learners in this class develop (or improve) skills in creating, organizing, supporting, and delivering both informative and persuasive messages to peer audiences. Through this course, students will develop arguments and practice academic research skills in order to adequately support their messages and develop credibility and professionalism. Learners will practice critical thinking and listening skills, support fellow students while delivering impromptu and extemporaneous speeches, and provide peer feedback to ideas and speech development. This course stresses building confidence as public communicators so students may speak effectively at work, in their communities, and as citizens in a democracy. (Prerequisites: Must have a Next-Generation Accuplacer Reading score of 250 or higher, or Classic Accuplacer Reading score of 78 or higher, or ACT Reading score of 21 or higher or MCA Reading score of 1047 or higher or completion of either READ 0090 or EAP 0090 or READ 0095 with a grade of C (2.0) or higher) (MNTC: Goal areas 1 and 9).
COMM120 Small Group Communication (3 credits)
This course helps students develop or improve their participation in small groups and teams using effective communication and critical thinking. Content of the course includes both knowledge and skills components. Students can develop an understanding of communication and group theory while applying their knowledge in small group discussions, cooperative projects, and other activities. The course curriculum emphasizes reflection and growth. (Prerequisites: Must have a Next-Generation Accuplacer Reading score of 250 or higher, or Classic Accuplacer Reading score of 78 or higher, or completion of either READ 0090 or EAP 0090 or READ 0095 with a grade of C (2.0) or higher, or ACT Reading score of 21 or higher or MCA Reading score of 1047 or higher.) (MNTC: Goals 1 and 2).
COMM140 Interpersonal Communication (3 credits)
In this class, participants will examine key components of interpersonal communication theory, identify the interpersonal communication skills necessary for healthy relationships, assess their own interpersonal communication effectiveness, and practice and hone interpersonal communication skills necessary for healthy home and work relationships. This course will also address relevant issues of social interaction, including how human diversity/culture (age, race, gender, etc.) affects our interpersonal communication. (Prerequisites: Must have a Next-Generation Accuplacer Reading score of 250 or higher, or Classic Accuplacer Reading score of 78 or higher, or completion of either READ 0090 or EAP 0090 or READ 0095 with a grade of C (2.0) or higher, or ACT Reading score of 21 or higher or MCA Reading score of 1047 or higher.) (MNTC 1: Communication)
COMM190 Special Topics in Communication Studies (1 - 3 credits)
This special topics course provides students an opportunity to examine topics of interest in the field of communication studies. Topics in this course are specially designed by instructors at South Central College based on instructor interests, student interests, and/or the instructor's teaching expertise. Topics may or may not be equivalent to courses at other colleges and universities. Students may repeat the course under different topics. (Prerequisites: Must have a Next-Generation Accuplacer Reading score of 250 or higher, or Classic Accuplacer Reading score of 78 or higher, or completion of either READ 0090 or EAP 0090 or READ 0095 with a grade of C (2.0) or higher, or ACT Reading score of 21 or higher or MCA Reading score of 1047 or higher.) Meets MNTC goal 1).
ENGL100 Composition (4 credits)
Composition is concerned with developing, through theory and practice, the ability to communicate in written form for personal and professional reasons. Students will develop writing skills, analytic skills, and critical thinking skills. Students will complete readings, papers, grammar exercises, and in-class activities. Students will complete research and write a research paper. Students will learn methods of writing informatively and persuasively. (Prerequisites: Must have one of the following: (MCA Reading score of 1047 or higher, or ACT Reading score of 21 or higher or Next-Generation Accuplacer Reading score of 250 or higher, or Classic Accuplacer Reading score of 78 or higher) OR (READ 0095 with a grade of C (2.0) or higher) OR (completion of either READ 0090 or EAP 0090 with a grade of C (2.0) or higher) AND (completion of either ENGL 0090 or EAP 0095 with a grade of C [2.0] or higher) (MNTC 1: Communication)
ENGL180 Workplace Communication Skills (4 credits)
This class prepares students in technical and career programs to communicate with and within their workplaces and organizations, as well as with the public, through both oral and written communication. The class includes fundamental human communication and critical thinking skills along with practice in bother oral and written communication. (Prerequisites: None) (MNTC Goal Area 1)
ENGL199 Independent Study: Research and Writing (2 credits)
This course is designed to offer the student an opportunity to do extensive research on a specific topic. Students will complete research, write an in-depth research paper and put together a research portfolio. (Prerequisite: Instructor Permission)
ENGL240 Technical Communication (4 credits)
This course will teach the essential skills of technical communication. It is an introduction to written communication, design production, and design evaluation of technical information. The class emphasizes adapting technical material targeted for specific audiences while using a procedural writing style. Students complete rhetorical and audience analyses, document creation, electronic writing, collaborative writing, and usability testing. (Prerequisite: ENGL 100 or instructor permission) MnTC Goal Area 1 - Communication)
Required Arts and Sciences
To complete an AAS Degree, students must complete 15 MNTC credits from 3 of the 10 MNTC goal areas.
PLEASE NOTE: All program plans are preliminary and curriculum may change without notice. Your catalog of record may have different requirements.
