Early Childhood Education Technical Certificate

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Technical Certificate
Contact Information: Program Office 615-353-3400, Program Site, E-mail: earlychildhood@nscc.edu

The Technical Certificate in Early Childhood Education prepares the student for employment in the field of child care and early education.

Graduates of the program should be able to:

Promote child development and learning of young children from diverse backgrounds;
Build family and community relationships; and
Identify and conduct themselves as members of the early childhood profession.

Admission Requirements

Students must meet regular technical certificate admission requirements.

Career Opportunities

Teacher in Childcare Programs and Schools
Assistant Teacher
Family Child Care Provider

Practicum Courses

Students who wish to register for practicum courses should contact their advisors for information about practicum requirements prior to enrolling.

Grading Policy

A grade of “C” or above must be earned in all Early Childhood courses prior to graduation. The student majoring in Early Childhood Education must receive a “C” or above in each course in order to meet prerequisite requirements for subsequent courses.

Background Check for Employment

Students who wish to become employed in child care programs licensed by the Department of Human Services, State of Tennessee must undergo a criminal history and abuse registry background check. Tennessee law requires a satisfactory background check prior to employment. This is initiated by the employer.

Transfer/Advising

Most students who have already completed coursework through TECTA support for their CDA have only twelve (12) additional credits to complete for the technical certificate. All of the courses in this certificate apply toward Nashville State’s A.A.S. degree in Early Childhood Education.

Course Requirements

Technical Specialty

ECED 1310 - Intro to Early Childhood Educ 3 Credits
ECED 2310 - Safe, Healthy, Learning Env 3 Credits
ECED 2315 - Early Childhood Curriculum 3 Credits
ECED 2335 - Initial Practicum 3 Credits
ECED 2340 - Fam Dynamics & Comm Involve 3 Credits
ECED 2380 - Language & Literacy in ECE 3 Credits
ECED 2385 - Math and Science in ECE 3 Credits

ECED Elective (choose one course below)

ECED 2312 - Admin of ECE Programs 3 Credits
ECED 2330 - Infant and Toddler Care 3 Credits
ECED 2375 - Social-Emotional Development 3 Credits
ECED 2390 - Creative Development 3 Credits

Total Certificate Requirements: 24 Credits

Note:

All courses are available online with the exception of Initial Practicum which is currently being offered virtually and on the Clarksville Campus.

ECED 2335 requires 45 hours in an approved early childhood program. This component of the course is not available online.

Additional course requirements: The Tennessee Board of Regents requires that students either demonstrate the appropriate skill levels in math, reading, and/or writing before enrolling in college-level courses or enroll in appropriate co-requisite experiences with college-level courses to develop competency in those skills while performing college-level work. ACT/SAT scores, classic ACCUPLACER test scores, next-generation ACCUPLACER test scores, or other relevant information determine whether a student needs to enroll in co-requisite courses in math, reading, and/or writing (English).