2024–2025 CATALOG AND STUDENT HANDBOOK SCHOOL OF EDUCATION 37 Early Childhood Education | DIPLOMA Knowledge Credit Self-Directed Assessment Available Fully online program CAREER OPPORTUNITIES • Early Childhood Teacher (in private childcare settings) • Teacher’s Assistant • Early Childhood Special Education Assistant Careers Disclosure: The Early Childhood Education programs at Rasmussen University are not designed to meet, and do not meet, the educational requirements for licensure to teach in public preschools, or kindergarten, elementary, or secondary schools in any state. A bachelor’s degree from a state-approved university or university and a state teaching license are typically required to work as a teacher in a public school, and in private school settings. The Rasmussen University Early Childhood Education programs are not approved by any state agency that licenses teachers. States, municipalities, districts, or individual schools may have more stringent licensure requirements and other standards. Childcare facilities and the states in which they are located establish qualifications for staff that work with children, and often implement guidelines regarding age, education, experience, background, and professional development. Before enrolling, it is important to understand all of the licensure eligibility standards for a desired career by consulting the appropriate state and school/facility requirements. The Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential from the Council for Professional Recognition may be required for some career opportunities. Rasmussen University is a CDA® Gold Standard Training Certification recipient institution, and its Early Childhood Education Certificate program contains the following courses, which provide the educational prerequisites for the CDA Credential: EEC1202 Early Childhood Education Curriculum and Instruction; EEC1700 Foundations of Child Development; and EEC1735 Health, Safety, and Nutrition/CDA Application. Additional CDA Credential eligibility requirements apply. Please consult the CDA eligibility requirements of the Council for Professional Recognition for further details. OBJECTIVE Graduates of this program have acquired the knowledge and skills to work with young children (birth through age 8) and their families. Graduates will be equipped to support children’s learning in a variety of entry-level roles and settings. This program contains coursework aligned with the high-quality standards of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and the Council for Professional Recognition (Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential). DEVELOPMENTAL EDUCATION COURSES B080 Reading and Writing Strategies 4 B087 Practical Math 4 GENERAL EDUCATION COURSES Lower Division English Composition (Required course) 4 ENC1101 English Composition+ Humanities (Select 1 course)+ 4 Math / Natural Sciences (Select 1 course)+ 4 Social Sciences (Required course) 4 SYG1000 Introduction to Sociology See page 91 for General Education Course Selections. CORE COURSES Lower Division EEC1202 Early Childhood Education Curriculum and Instruction+ 4 EEC1700 Foundations of Child Development+ 4 EEC1735 Health, Safety, and Nutrition/CDA Application+ 4 EEC1970 Early Childhood Education Exploration I: Knowledge 4 EEC1971 Early Childhood Education Exploration II: Planning 4 EEC1972 Early Childhood Education Exploration III: Reflection 4 EEC2225 Guiding Children’s Behavior 4 EEC2401 Dynamics of the Family 4 EEC2613 Observation and Assessment in Early Childhood Education 4 EEC2935 Summative Project for Early Childhood Education 2 CHOOSE ONE SPECIALIZATION Child Development Specialization EEC2213 Language and Literacy Acquisition 4 EEC2329 Parent Education and Support 4 EEC2500 Infant and Toddler Development 4 EEX2010 The Exceptional Child 4 Child with Special Needs Specialization EEC2270 Introduction to English Language Learners 4 EEC2271 Curriculum and Instruction for Children with Special Needs 4 EEC2272 The Inclusive Classroom 4 EEC2403 Advocating for Children with Special Needs 4 General Education Credits 16 Core Credits 54 Total Diploma Credits 70 +Self-directed assessment available; see page 170 for details. This program has not been approved by any state professional licensing body, and this program is not intended to lead to any state -issued professional license. For further information on professional licensing requirements, please contact the appropriate board or agency in your state of residence. The Early Childhood Education programs contain coursework aligned with the requirements for the Gateways Credentials, which are awarded and recognized by the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) Bureau of Child Care and Development. Other eligibility requirements apply; please verify your eligibility against all Gateways Credentials requirements. Developmental Education courses do not count toward total program credits, and are not calculated in GPA. Students must demonstrate mastery of the subject matter in Developmental Education courses through a Rasmussen University entrance placement exam, approved exemption based on previously completed coursework, or by passing Developmental Education courses. In addition to meeting all other acceptance requirements, applicants must successfully pass a background check through Rasmussen University’s chosen third-party vendor. Any prospective student must also consider their history, lifestyle, and future actions before enrolling in this program, and carefully consider whether their actions may prevent them from attaining employment in the field they choose to pursue. Additional requirements, such as industry-specific training may be required to obtain employment in this field. Applicants for careers in this field may be subject to pre-employment screenings such as, but not limited to, criminal background checks, and drug/or alcohol testing. Employment decisions, including whether to require background checks and other tests, are made at the discretion of the employer. ALL CONTENT IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE BY ADDENDUM
