Early Childhood Development - Associate of Applied Science Degree

Are you interested in continuing your education at a four-year college?  
Do you want to teach Pre-K through third grade?  
Do you want to work with Birth – age 8 special education?

Then this is the program for you!!

VPCC’s Early Childhood Associate Degree also prepares students planning to transfer to partner four-year institutions teacher preparation programs.  It is specifically designed for students who plan to seek endorsement and licensure as teachers in Early Childhood Education (PreK-3rd ) or Special Education.

Several four-year universities are accepting VPCC AAS in Early Childhood Development.

You can

• Attend JMU James Madison University.
• Attend  Longwood University
• Attend Radford University (Special Ed) AAS to BS Teacher Licensure
• Attend George Mason AAS to BS Early Childhood Ed
• Attend Virginia Commonwealth University Early Childhood Education and Teaching
• Attend Old Dominion University

Early Childhood Development AAS Degree presentation

Program Outcomes: Graduates will be able to:

• Adhere to Virginia’s Standards for Licensed Child Day Centers in the planning and evaluation of classroom and learning environments to ensure the health, safety and nutrition of children.
• Design and implement developmentally appropriate curriculum plans, to include learning activities and environments for children.
• Engage in and support diverse family and community relationships to build enriching and effective partnerships for children.
• Observe, document and assess progress to promote positive outcomes for all children.
• Engage with peers and community partners in the early childhood profession through collaborative learning and informed advocacy for young children.

Accreditation

The Early Childhood Development AAS degree at Virginia Peninsula Community College is accredited by the Commission on the Accreditation of Early Childhood Higher Education Programs of the National Association for the Education of Young Children.
The current accreditation term runs from June 30, 2021 through March 31, 2028.

Early childhood program outcome data (Published timeframe is 2 years)

Program Classes

For more information

Possibilities

Graduates find employment in a variety of early care settings, including Heat Start, religious-based and military child development centers and for-profit and nonprofit programs. Those who earn an associate of applied science in Early Childhood Development can explore several employment opportunities. Graduates become:

• paraprofessionals in public schools
• preschool teachers
• childcare program directors
• in-home childcare professionals
• before/after school resource program employees