Early Childhood Education

Associate in Science Degrees

Early Childhood Education

The Associate in Science degree in Early Childhood Education is an excellent starting point for those pursuing Teacher Certification. Students can transfer to earn a B.A. Degree in Early Childhood Education and/or Elementary Education. This foundation  prepares students  to become P-3 and/or K-6 teachers in public and private sectors. Many students also elect to pursue Special Education Certification upon transfer.

Early Childhood Education is a multidisciplinary field and candidates develop theoretical and practical knowledge in areas such as child development, humanities, mathematics, technology, social sciences, biological sciences, the arts, and multicultural/global perspectives. 

The Early Childhood Education Programs provide outstanding instruction and experiential learning to prepare students for advanced study and child-related careers in a diverse and changing world. The curriculum is aligned with state and national standards and blends academic and professional preparation in a wide variety of courses. 

For more information, visit the Early Childhood Education website.

Child and Family Studies

The A.S. Degree in Child and Family Studies is an interdisciplinary option for those curious about teaching but also interested in other related careers. Graduates can transfer to pursue a variety of B.A. Degree programs such as Education, Childhood Studies, Human Development, Social Work, and Counseling. The Child and Family Studies curriculum provides a strong foundation for those directly entering the workforce as well as students pursuing further education.

The interdisciplinary nature of this degree ensures that candidates develop theoretical and practical knowledge in areas such as child development, family studies, humanities, mathematics, technology, social sciences, biological sciences, the arts, and multicultural/global perspectives.

The Child and Family Studies program provide outstanding instruction and experiential learning to prepare students for advanced study and child-related careers in a diverse and changing world. The curriculum is aligned with state and national standards and blends academic and professional preparation in a wide variety of courses. 

For more information, visit the Child and Family Studies website.

A.S. Degree in Child and Family Studies

(P2941)

GENERAL EDUCATION FOUNDATION
Communication6
English Composition I
English Composition II
Math/Science/Tech12
Lab Science Elective
Mathematics Elective
Computer Technology and Applications
Social Sciences6
General Psychology
Principles of Sociology
Humanities Elective3
General Education Electives6
Diversity Elective
Communication Elective
Child & Family Studies Core27
Child Psychology
Developmental Psychology - the Human Lifespan
Introduction to Social Welfare and Human Services
Early Childhood Development
Music in Early Childhood (OR ENG-118 Children's Literature)
Curriculum, Teaching and Learning in Early Childhood Education
CDA Capstone: Effective Preschool Practices
The Family
Special Topics in Psychology
GENERAL EDUCATION FOUNDATION Credits60

A.S. Early Childhood Education

(P2940)

General Education Foundation
Communication6
English Composition I
English Composition II
Math-Science-Technology9
Mathematics for Liberal Arts
Laboratory Science Elective
Computer Information Literacy
Social Science6
General Psychology
Principles of Sociology
Humanities 6
Choose from General Education Course List (Humanities)
General Education Courses6
Speech Fundamentals
Diversity Elective
General Education Foundation Credits33
Early Childhood Education Core
PSY-213Child Psychology3
PSY-217Educational Psychology3
MUS-129Music in Early Childhood (or ENG-118 Children's Litterature)3
CDC-110Early Childhood Development3
CDC-210Curriculum, Teaching and Learning in Early Childhood Education3
CDC-220CDA Capstone: Effective Preschool Practices (or PSY-291 Special Topics in Psychology)3
EDU-111Teaching in America3
EDU-211Behavior Observation in Education3
CDC-228Internship Experience - Education (135-300 hours) (or PSY-116 Psych and Education of the Disabled)3
Early Childhood Education Core Credits27
Total Credits60

Childcare Specialist Certificate

(P5134)

This program is designed to prepare students for a career in the field of child care. The Childcare Specialist Certificate is an in-depth credential for the early childhood professional. Upon completion of 34 credits, individuals are eligible for a County College of Morris certificate.

Students are required to meet with the department advisor to review their curriculum and discuss educational and career goals. You can reach an advisor by contacting the Psychology and Education department at 973-328-5631.

For more information, please visit the Childcare Specialist Certificate webpage.

Communications3
English Composition I
Social Science9
General Psychology
Principles of Sociology
Child Psychology
General Education Diversity Elective (Choose two of the following)6
Children's Literature
The Family
Psychology and Education of the Disabled
Childcare Specialist Core15
Music in Early Childhood
Educational Psychology
Early Childhood Development
Curriculum, Teaching and Learning in Early Childhood Education
CDA Capstone: Effective Preschool Practices
Internship Experience - Education (135-300 hours) 1
Total Credits33
1

 Students should consult their academic advisors when selecting these courses.

 

CDA Education Certificate of Achievement

(P0331)

The CDA Education Certificate of Achievement is designed to support achieving the national CDA credential. Grounded in research and evidence-based practice, the curriculum blends academic and professional preparation through a series of three courses recognized by the Council for Professional Recognition. 

Students are required to meet with the department advisor to review their curriculum and discuss educational and career goals. You can reach an advisor by contacting the Psychology and Education department at 973-328-5631.

For more information, please visit the CDA Education Certificate of Achievement webpage.

CDC-110Early Childhood Development3
CDC-210Curriculum, Teaching and Learning in Early Childhood Education3
CDC-220CDA Capstone: Effective Preschool Practices3

Dr. Melissa Kasmin
Associate Professor, Psychology and Education
Ph.D, Rutgers University
MSW, University of Michigan
BA, Kenyon College
DH 323 973-328-5631, mkasmin@ccm.edu

Dr. Jessica Shackil
Assistant Professor, Psychology and Education
Ed.D., Caldwell University,
M.Ed, Montclair State University,
B.A., Montclair State University
DH 323  973-328-5621, jshackil@ccm.edu

Courses

Course usage information

CDC-110. Early Childhood Development. 3 Credits.

LECT 45 hrs
This course studies the growth and development of the child from birth through age eight. It will cover a variety of factors that influence child development such as diversity, culture, health, economic and family environment. Also it provides an overview of the major theorists in the field of human development. There will be discussion regarding these theorists' contributions to understanding how children grow and learn. Students will have the opportunity to observe and report on a variety of teaching and learning venues.

Course usage information

CDC-210. Curriculum, Teaching and Learning in Early Childhood Education. 3 Credits.

LECT 45 hrs
This course studies designing, implementing, and evaluating developmentally appropriate curriculum for children birth through age eight with a focus on language and literacy, social and emotional learning, creative arts, and social studies, math, science and technology. It will cover practical applications of theories and current research in early childhood education, methods of observing children's behavior and progress, and strategies for developing and using curriculum in all aspects of the daily routine. Attention will be given to anti-bias curriculum and elements of diversity that can influence learning including cultural backgrounds, gender, sexual orientation, religion, English language learners, socio-economic status, family circumstances, and children with special needs. A field work component includes observation of curriculum and teaching and learning in an Early Childhood Education setting.
Prerequisites: CDC-110 is a pre and/or co-requisite
Corequisites: CDC-110 is a pre and/or co-requisite.

Course usage information

CDC-220. CDA Capstone: Effective Preschool Practices. 3 Credits.

LECT 45 hrs
This course studies effective, practical, research-based methods for developing preschool teachers. Course content is aligned with the national competency standards for the Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential. It will cover the essentials of planning a safe environment, advancing children's development, building family partnerships, program operations, professional development, authentic assessment, and principles of developmentally appropriate learning. Attention will also be given to current research on brain development in young children, designing the learning environment, professional ethics, and cultural competence.
Corequisites: CDC-210 is a pre and/or co-requisite.

Course usage information

CDC-228. Cooperative Work Experience- Child Care. 3 Credits.

COOP 45 hrs
This course provides selected students in the Early Childhood programs with job-oriented training and practical experience in a work environment. Students desiring to participate in this experience should make this intention known to the Faculty Special Projects person at the beginning of their third semester.
Prerequisites: Permission of department chair
Corequisites: CDC-229.

Course usage information

EDU-111. Teaching in America. 3 Credits.

LECT 45 hrs
This course presents the historical and philosophical foundations of American education and how they relate to contemporary issues facing teachers in America today. The goal is to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the development of the teaching profession including both its roots and modern-day direction. The course offers theoretical and practical learning experiences including 20 hours of field experiences in public schools.
Prerequisites: Permission of department chair
Corequisites: PSY-113.

Course usage information

EDU-211. Behavior Observation in Education. 3 Credits.

LECT 45 hrs
This course uses weekly seminars and 30 hours of field experience in public schools to integrate theory and classroom observations in order for prospective teachers to understand curriculum development and instructional methods. Aspiring teachers learn how to use descriptive research methods to gain insight into the instructional needs of learners by observing them in their natural classroom settings. Armed with this experiential knowledge, students will use the seminar to report and discuss their observed findings, as well as relate this practical information to the theories of curriculum development and instructional strategies.
Prerequisites: EDU-111, PSY-113 and permission of department chair or advisor (via petition). Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher
Corequisites: PSY-217.