Early Childhood Education Program
Delivery Options:
In-Person, Hyflex
Delivery Type:
Associate of Applied Science Degree
Certificate of Technical Studies
Certificate of Applied Science
Program Length:
4 Semesters
Why Pursue Early Childhood Education?
Entering early childhood education lets you shape young minds during their most formative years. You’ll foster growth, make a lasting impact and enjoy a fulfilling career. Benefit from small class sizes, an evening schedule and one-on-one instruction so that you can continue to work—all without leaving Great Falls. This pathway also will allow you to earn a certificate of technical studies after the first semester, a certificate of applied science after two semesters and an associate of applied science after four semesters.
Graduates are Prepared to:
- Understand young children’s characteristics and needs.
- Recognize multiple influences on development and learning.
- Create healthy, respectful, supportive, and challenging learning environments.
- Understand, family, and community characteristics.
- Support and empower families and communities through respectful relationships.
- Involve families and communities in children’s development and learning.
- Understand the goals, benefits, and uses of assessment.
- Use observation, documentation and appropriate assessment tools.
- Understand and responsible assessment.
- Design, implement, and evaluate meaningful curriculum
Types of Courses
| EDEC 108 | Introduction to Early Childhood Education |
| EDEC 203 | Guiding the Young Child with Lab |
| EDEC 247 | Child and Adolescent Growth and Development |
| EDEC 268 | Administering Early Care and Education Programs |
Career Opportunities
| Job Title | Average Wage | Annual Job Openings | Expected Growth |
| Preschool Teacher | MT: $31,000/yr US: $35,330/yr | MT: 90 US: 63,100 | MT: 16% US: 15% |
| Kindergarten Teacher | MT: $46,340/yr US: $60,490/yr | MT: 60 US: 14,200 | MT: 2% US: 4% |
Additional Program Information
Curriculum Map & Assessment Plan
The reason I decided to do this program is to get my associate's in Early Childhood Education and expand on my own professionalism in early childhood. ...I love this age because they are babies, and I love babies. You can see the growth, a steep growth development age.
