Early Childhood Education Overview (AS 2358)
Addendum 2025 (action based on curriculum minutes dated September 25, 2025)
Type of Award
AS - Associate in Science (CIP 1413121004)
Program Website
wwwpbsc.edu/CareerPathways/Education
Program Description
This degree program provides the student with a thorough background in all aspects of child development, as well as expanding his or her classroom knowledge into practical hands-on teaching experience.
The program also provides the student with the training and information they need to pursue a career working with infants through school age children.
Program Learning Outcomes
For detailed information, visit www. pbsc.edu/ProgramLearningOutcomes.
Admission Requirements
- Have a standard high school diploma or GED; and
- Complete an Application for Admission, located at www.pbsc.edu/Admissions.
- For additional information regarding admission requirements refer to the Admissions section of this catalog.
Completion Requirements
Students must successfully complete all courses listed in the catalog for this program.
For more details about graduation requirements please refer to the Graduation section of this catalog.
Program Length
The program can be finished in two years if you attend full time or three years if you attend part time.
Location
The program is offered at the Lake Worth campus.
For More Information
Professor Cassandra Wilbanks, wilbankc@pbsc.edu, 561- 868-3214
Employment Opportunities
Students who complete this program can seek educator, caregiver or manager positions within licensed childcare centers, in private and public school settings and in afterschool/mentoring programs, such as Head Start. Head Start is a federal program that requires its teachers to have earned at least an A.S. or A.A. degree.
Career Path Notes
Students who have earned either a Florida Child Care Professional Credential (FCCPC), Early Childhood Professional Certificate (ECPC) from Palm Beach State or the School District of Palm Beach County, or a National Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential can articulate the credential towards an Associate in Science degree (A.S.) in Early Childhood Education (2358) for the following 9 college credit hours: EEC2271 - Teaching Children with Special Needs, EEC2734 - Health, Safety and Nutrition for the Young Child, and CHD1220 - Child Development infancy/Preschool.
The articulation will be processed upon request once students have completed 15 college credits toward the A.S. degree (2358). For more information call (561) 868-3807.
Courses from this program may transfer into Palm Beach State’s Bachelor of Applied Science program in Supervision and Management. For more information, visit: www.pbsc.edu/Bachelors
In addition, the Early Childhood Education A.S. degree will articulate to Florida Atlantic University’s Bachelor in Early Childhood Education (BECE) degree and to Lynn University’s Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education Grade K-6.
Career Center
www.pbsc.edu/CareerCenter
For more information about employment opportunities, including job outlook and salary information, visit: Occupational Outlook Handbook: www.bls.gov/ooh
O-Net Online: www.onetonline.org
Required courses:
General Education (Credits: 24)
| ENC1101 | English Composition 1 (AA) | 3 Credits |
| SPC1017 | Fundamentals of Speech Communication (AA) | 3 Credits |
| ESC1000 | Introduction to Earth Science (AA) | 3 Credits |
| Or | |
| Choose Any Natural Science Area IV, Tier 1 course | 3 Credits |
| ARH1000 | Art Appreciation (AA) | 3 Credits |
| Or | |
| Choose Any Humanities Area ll, Tier 1 course | 3 Credits |
| PSY2012 | Introduction to Psychology (AA) | 3 Credits |
| ENC1102 | English Composition 2 (AA) | 3 Credits |
| AMH2020 | United States History Since 1877 (AA) | 3 Credits |
| Or | |
| POS1041 | Introduction to American Government (AA) | 3 Credits |
| Or | |
| AMH2010 | United States History to1877 (AA) | 3 Credits |
| Choose Any Mathematics Area lll, Tier 1 course | 3 Credits |
Required Courses (Credits: 24)
| EDG1314 | Education Practicum 1 (AS) | 3 Credits |
| Or | |
| EDG1315 | Education Practicum 2 (AS) | 3 Credits |
| EEC1601 | Observation and Assessment In Early Childhood (AS) | 3 Credits |
| EEC2271 | Teaching Children With Special Needs (AS) | 3 Credits |
| EDF2144 | Maximizing Student Potential in the School Context (AA) | 3 Credits |
| EEC2734 | Health, Safety, and Nutrition for the Young Child (AS) | 3 Credits |
| CHD1220 | Child Development, Infancy/Preschool (AS) | 3 Credits |
| EDF1030 | Behavior Management In the Classroom (AA) | 3 Credits |
| DEP2102 | Child Growth and Development (AA) | 3 Credits |
Only students who have completed the CCC for Child Care Center Management are eligible to enroll in EDG1315.
Required College Credit Certificate (CCC) Courses (Credits: 12)
Complete one of the following Certificates to complete this AS program:
Child Care Center Management CCC 6366
| EEC1523 | Overview of Child Care Center Management (AS) | 3 Credits |
| EEC2002 | Child Care and Education Organization Leadership Management (AS) | 3 Credits |
| EEC2202 | Child Care and Education Programming (AS) | 3 Credits |
| EEC2521 | Child Care and Education Financial and Legal Issues (AS) | 3 Credits |
| Total Credit Hours: | 12 |
Or
Infant/Toddler CCC 6367
| EEC1001 | Introduction to Early Childhood Education (AA) | 3 Credits |
| EEC1522 | Infant/toddler Environments (AS) | 3 Credits |
| EEC2201 | Developing Curriculum for Infants and Toddlers (AS) | 3 Credits |
| EEC2407 | Social-Emotional Growth and Socialization In Infants and Toddlers (AS) | 3 Credits |
| Total Credit Hours: | 12 |
Or
Pre-School CCC 6368
| EEC1001 | Introduction to Early Childhood Education (AA) | 3 Credits |
| EEC1300 | Early Childhood Language Arts (AS) | 3 Credits |
| EEC1311 | Early Childhood Science, Social Studies and Math (AS) | 3 Credits |
| EEC1312 | Early Childhood Fine Arts and Movement (AS) | 3 Credits |
| Total Credit Hours: | 12 |
Total Credit Hours: 60
Course Sequence
Term One - Fall (Year One) (Credits: 9)
| ENC1101 | English Composition 1 (AA) | 3 Credits |
| Choose Any Mathematics Area lll, Tier 1 course | 3 Credits |
| One course from selected CCC | 3 credits |
Term Two - Spring (Year One) (Credits: 9)
| EDF1030 | Behavior Management In the Classroom (AA) | 3 Credits |
| AMH2010 | United States History to1877 (AA) | 3 Credits |
| Or | |
| AMH2020 | United States History Since 1877 (AA) | 3 Credits |
| Or | |
| POS1041 | Introduction to American Government (AA) | 3 Credits |
| One course from selected CCC | 3 credits |
Term Three - Summer (Year One) (Credits: 3)
| One course from selected CCC | 3 credits |
Term One - Fall (Year Two) (Credits: 9)
| CHD1220 | Child Development, Infancy/Preschool (AS) | 3 Credits |
| PSY2012 | Introduction to Psychology (AA) | 3 Credits |
| One course from selected CCC | 3 credits |
Term Two - Spring (Year Two) (Credits: 9)
| ENC1102 | English Composition 2 (AA) | 3 Credits |
| DEP2102 | Child Growth and Development (AA) | 3 Credits |
| EEC1601 | Observation and Assessment In Early Childhood (AS) | 3 Credits |
Term Three - Summer (Year Two) (Credits: 3)
| SPC1017 | Fundamentals of Speech Communication (AA) | 3 Credits |
Term One - Fall (Year Three) (Credits: 9)
| EEC2271 | Teaching Children With Special Needs (AS) | 3 Credits |
| EDF2144 | Maximizing Student Potential in the School Context (AA) | 3 Credits |
| ESC1000 | Introduction to Earth Science (AA) | 3 Credits |
| Or | |
| Choose Any Natural Science Area IV, Tier 1 course | 3 Credits |
Term Two - Spring (Year Three) (Credits: 9)
| EEC2734 | Health, Safety, and Nutrition for the Young Child (AS) | 3 Credits |
| EDG1314 | Education Practicum 1 (AS) | 3 Credits |
| Or | |
| EDG1315 | Education Practicum 2 (AS) | 3 Credits |
| ARH1000 | Art Appreciation (AA) | 3 Credits |
| Or | |
| Choose Any Humanities Area ll, Tier 1 course | 3 Credits |
Only students who have completed the CCC for Child Care Center Management are eligible to enroll in
EDG1315.
Total Credit Hours: 60