Early Care and Education - Associate in Applied Science Degree
Program Requirements:
Admission Type:
General College Admission
Visit 兔子先生
Locations:
Contact:
兔子先生
(843) 347-3186
If you enjoy children and creative activities, possess patience, excellent communication skills, sound decision-making abilities, and have a strong work ethic, HGTC's Associate in Applied Science in Early Care and Education (ECD) might be the right career path for you. Early Care and Education professionals work in partnership with families to create a nurturing environment that is respectful of culture and rich in experiences to promote the optimal growth and development of each child. Students in this program receive the tools and resources necessary to provide language- and literacy-rich environments, appropriate math and science skills, an inquiry-based approach to learning about the world, and safe, healthy environments that promote emotional and social well-being. The program includes interactive classroom experiences, as well as off-site experiences in a variety of childcare and early education environments.
The Early Care and Education Associate Degree prepares students for careers and/or advancement in the early childhood profession. Graduates will be qualified to work in childcare centers, family childcare homes, morning preschool programs, after-school programs, summer camp programs, and some private school programs.
兔子先生 Information
Specific Admission Requirements for Program
- Criminal Background Check is a prerequisite to lab classes and field experiences in licensed child care centers (not required for ECD 101)
- Obtain Negative PPD (not required for ECD 101)
- Certification in Pediatric CPR and First Aid in ECD 135 (prior to graduation)
Student Resources
Forms
For more information, contact:
Becky Hubbard - (843) 349-7117
Babs Crane - (843) 349-5266
Jennifer Cusack - (843) 349-5261
T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood庐 South Carolina
provides scholarships for teachers, directors, owners, and family/group providers working in childcare to complete coursework in early care and education with little to no cost. These scholarships are available to eligible individuals working a minimum number of hours per week and meet the maximum pay requirements in a licensed or registered child care facility through the South Carolina Department of Social Services. T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood庐 South Carolina provides scholarships to complete course work in early childhood education courses toward the South Carolina Early Childhood Credential, a Certificate or an Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education. Eligible individuals can even transfer to a partnering 4-year college/university to complete a bachelor鈥檚 degree in Early Childhood Education. Students who earn credentials may be eligible for a Smart Money bonus through this organization as well.
SC Endeavors
SC Endeavors offers a Smart Money Bonus for early childhood teachers who earn credentials through their credentialing system. Some of the credentials and smart money bonuses available through courses offered at HGTC may be found here.
Career Outlook & Employment Opportunities
Recent scientific research has confirmed the need for high-quality care and education during a child's early years, when optimal brain growth and development occurs. This has increased the demand for highly qualified early-childhood professionals. The Associate in Applied Science in Early Care and Education prepares graduates to work in a variety of settings for children ages birth through eight years. These settings include:
- Childcare centers
- Head Start centers
- Family childcare homes
- Morning preschool programs
- After-school programs
- Programs for children with differing abilities
- Summer camp programs
- Private schools
- Public schools
Employers of HGTC Alumni Include:
- Horry and Georgetown County Schools
- Horry County Head Start
- Child Development Ministries at First United Methodist Church
- Carolina Forest Child Development Center
- The Learning Tree Day School
- The Learning Station
- Gateway Academy
For more information about careers, visit for an overview of South Carolina and National earnings statistics, and Career Services for more employment, career, and professional development resources.
Required Courses and Sample Schedules
Degree Requirements: Early Care and Education |
||
| Component | Course Title | Semester Credit Hours |
| GENERAL EDUCATION | ||
| MAT 155 | Contemporary Mathematics | 3 |
| PSY 201 | General Psychology | 3 |
| ENG 155 | Communications I | 3 |
| Select one course from the following list: | ||
| BIO 105 | Principles of Biology | 4 |
| PSC 201 | American Government*** | 3 |
| HIS 201 | American History: Disc to 1877*** | 3 |
| and | ||
| Select one Humanities/Fine Arts course from the list below: | ||
| ART 101 | Art History and Appreciation | 3 |
| ART 105 | Film as Art | 3 |
| ENG 201 | American Literature I | 3 |
| ENG 202 | American Literature II | 3 |
| ENG 205 | English Literature I | 3 |
| ENG 206 | English Literature II | 3 |
| ENG 208 | World Literature I | 3 |
| ENG 209 | World Literature II | 3 |
| ENG 230 | Women in Literature | 3 |
| ENG 236 | African American Literature | 3 |
| HIS 101 | Western Civilization to 1689 | 3 |
| HIS 102 | Western Civilization Post 1689 | 3 |
| HIS 201 | American History: Disc. to 1877 (Note: Course may not be taken if selected to satisfy General Education requirement above.) |
3 |
| HIS 202 | American History: 1877 to Pres. | 3 |
| MUS 105 | Music Appreciation | 3 |
| PHI 101 | Introduction to Philosophy | 3 |
| PHI 110 | Ethics | 3 |
| PHI 201 | History of Philosophy | 3 |
| PHI 211 | Moral Philosophy | 3 |
| REL 103 | Comparative Religion | 3 |
| SPA 201 | Intermediate Spanish I | 3 |
| SPA 202 | Intermediate Spanish II | 3 |
| THE 101 | Introduction to Theatre | 3 |
| CREDITS | 15 | |
| REQUIRED CORE SUBJECT AREAS | ||
| ECD 101 | Introduction to Early Childhood | 3 |
| ECD 102 | Growth and Development I | 3 |
| ECD 203 | Growth and Development II** | 3 |
| ECD 105 | Guidance - Classroom Management* | 3 |
| ECD 107 | Exceptional Child* | 3 |
| ECD 135 | Health, Safety, and Nutrition** | 3 |
| ECD 243 | Supervised Field Experience** | 3 |
| CREDITS | 21 | |
| OTHER HOURS REQUIRED FOR GRADUATION | ||
| ECD 108 | Family and Community Relations | 3 |
| ECD 131 | Language Arts** | 3 |
| ECD 132 | Creative Experiences | 3 |
| ECD 133 | Science and Math Concepts** | 3 |
| ECD 200 | Foundations of Special Education | 3 |
| ECD 237 | Methods and Materials** | 3 |
| ECD 252 | Diversity Issues in Early Care and Education* | 3 |
| EDU 201 | Classroom Inquiry with Technology | 3 |
| and | ||
| Select one course from the list below: | ||
| ECD 201 | Principles of Ethics and Leadership in Early Care & Education | 3 |
| ECD 205 | Socialization & Group Care of Infants & Toddlers | 3 |
| ECD 109 | Administration & Supervision | 3 |
| SAC 101 | Best Practices in School Age & Youth Care Skills | 3 |
| CREDITS | 27 | |
| TOTAL CREDIT HOURS | 63 | |
Sample Schedule: Early Child Care and Education |
||
| First Semester - Fall | Course Title | Semester Credit Hours |
| ECD 101 | Introduction to Early Childhood | 3 |
| ECD 102 | Growth and Development I | 3 |
| ECD 108 | Family and community Relations | 3 |
| ENG 155 | Communications I | 3 |
| MAT 155 | Contemporary Mathematics | 3 |
| CREDITS | 15 | |
| Second Semester - Spring | ||
| ECD 105 | Guidance - Classroom Management* | 3 |
| ECD 131 | Language Arts** | 3 |
| ECD 203 | Growth and Development II* | 3 |
| PSY 201 | General Psychology | 3 |
| and | ||
| Select one course from the list below: | ||
| BIO 105 | Principles of Biology | 4 |
| PSC 201 | American Government | 3 |
| HIS 201 | American History: Disc to 1877 | 3 |
| CREDITS | 15 | |
| Third Semester - Summer | ||
| ECD 107 | Exceptional Child* | 3 |
| ECD 133 | Science and Math Concepts** | 3 |
| ECD 135 | Health, Safety, and Nutrition** | 3 |
| CREDITS | 9 | |
| Fourth Semester - Fall | ||
| ECD 132 | Creative Experiences | 3 |
| ECD 200 | Foundations of Special Education | 3 |
| ECD 237 | Methods and Materials** | 3 |
| EDU 201 | Classroom Inquiry with Technology | 3 |
| CREDITS | 12 | |
| Fifth Semester - Spring | ||
| ECD 252 | Diversity Issues in Early Care and Education* | 3 |
| ECD 243 | Supervised Field Experience** | 3 |
| Select one Fine Arts course from the list below: | ||
| ART 101 | Art History and Appreciation | 3 |
| MUS 105 | Music Appreciation | 3 |
| THE 101 | Introduction to Theatre | 3 |
| and | ||
| Select one ECD elective course from the list below: | ||
| ECD 201 | Principles of Ethics & Leadership in Early Care & Education | 3 |
| ECD 205 | Socialization & Group Care of Infants and Toddlers | 3 |
| ECD 109 | Administration and Supervision | 3 |
| SAC 101 | Best Practices in School Age & Youth Care Skills | 3 |
| CREDITS | 12 | |
| TOTAL CREDIT HOURS | 63 | |
*Students are required to conduct observations of children, families, and learning
environments in a variety of early childhood settings.
**Students are required to participate in lab/class assignments involving visits to
licensed childcare facilities.
***PSC 201 and HIS 201 recommended for transfer to satisfy the Reach Act. The Reach
Act was passed by the General Assembly in 2021.
Note: ECD 107 is also available in the spring and ECD 135 is also available in the fall.