Early Childhood Development, A.A.S.

Associate of Applied Science

The curriculum is designed to prepare Early Childhood Professionals. This includes people presently employed in early learning settings, and those seeking employment in the field. It also provides seamless articulation for those who wish to continue their education at some four-year institutions in VA.

Credit for Prior Learning: Students in this program may be eligible for credit for prior learning. See an academic advisor with the Early Childhood Programs for further information.

Special Accreditation Status: The A.A.S. Early Childhood Development degree at Northern Virginia Community College is 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 March 2018 through March 2025.

NAEYC Outcome Measures

Course Curriculum

Below is a table that shows the courses needed to satisfy this program. Please speak with an advisor to ensure you meet your program requirements.

Two Years			Credits
1st Semester
EDU	235	Health, Safety, and Nutrition Education	3
CHD	120	Introduction to Early Childhood Education	3
CHD	145	Teaching Art, Music, and Movement to Children	3
CHD	205	Guiding the Behavior of Children	3
ENG	111	College Composition I	3
Choose One
SDV	100	College Success Skills	1
SDV	101	Orientation to (a Specific Discipline)	1
Total			16
2nd Semester
CHD	118	Language Arts for Young Children	3
CHD	146	Math, Science, and Social Studies for Children	3
CHD	165	Observation and Participation in Early Childhood/Primary Settings	3
CHD	216	Early Childhood Programs, Schools, and Social Change	3
PSY	230	Developmental Psychology	3
Total			15
3rd Semester
EDU	200	Foundations of Education	3
ENG	112	College Composition II	3
CHD	166	Infant and Toddler Programs	3
CHD	210	Introduction to Exceptional Children	3
MTH	154	Quantitative Reasoning	3
Total			15
4th Semester
BIO	101	General Biology I	4
CHD	265	Advanced Observation and Participation in Early Childhood/Primary Settings	3
CHD	270	Administration of Childcare Programs	3
Choose One
ENG	250	Children's Literature	3
ENG	246	American Literature	3
Choose One
HIS	121	United States History to 1877	3
HIS	122	United States History Since 1865	3
Total			16
Total credits for the Associate of Applied Science = 62

Two Years	Credits
1st Semester
Health, Safety, and Nutrition Education EDU 235	3
Introduction to Early Childhood Education CHD 120	3
Teaching Art, Music, and Movement to Children CHD 145	3
Guiding the Behavior of Children CHD 205	3
College Composition I ENG 111	3
Choose One
College Success Skills SDV 100	1
Orientation to (a Specific Discipline) SDV 101	1
Total	16
2nd Semester
Language Arts for Young Children CHD 118	3
Math, Science, and Social Studies for Children CHD 146	3
Observation and Participation in Early Childhood/Primary Settings CHD 165	3
Early Childhood Programs, Schools, and Social Change CHD 216	3
Developmental Psychology PSY 230	3
Total	15
3rd Semester
Foundations of Education EDU 200	3
College Composition II ENG 112	3
Infant and Toddler Programs CHD 166	3
Introduction to Exceptional Children CHD 210	3
Quantitative Reasoning MTH 154	3
Total	15
4th Semester
General Biology I BIO 101	4
Advanced Observation and Participation in Early Childhood/Primary Settings CHD 265	3
Administration of Childcare Programs CHD 270	3
Choose One
Children's Literature ENG 250	3
American Literature ENG 246	3
Choose One
United States History to 1877 HIS 121	3
United States History Since 1865 HIS 122	3
Total	16
Total credits for the Associate of Applied Science = 62