60 Credits AAS3523/AAS2518, Academic Catalog 2025-2026
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 *
Compare the costs and you'll see that tuition at South Central College is much more affordable than other institutions.
*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)
ECE1310 Title not found (0 credits)
Description not available
OR
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.
Required Arts and Sciences (7 - 9 Credits)
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.
