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Early Care and Education

A student pursuing a child development degree sits with a young child who points to the letter ‘M’ on a teaching card.

 
Early care and education is a collaborative, multi-institutional, limited-enrollment program focusing on the intellectual, social, emotional and biological development of children. It includes planning and design of related human services and care/educational settings and preparation related to employment in early childhood education settings. 

It provides instruction in parent–child relations, parenting practices, special needs of children, parental and environmental influences on child development, caregiver–child interactions, external support services and related public policy issues. 

The program provides flexibility for working professionals needing to maintain employment while advancing their education. 

ALUMNI PURSUITS

Graduates increase their understanding of the characteristics and needs of young children and of multiple interacting influences on children’s development and learning to create environments that are healthy, respectful, supportive and challenging for each child. 

Alumni work at: 

  • Preschools
  • Head Start
  • Great Start Readiness
  • School districts
  • Child development centers

Alumni work as: 

  • Preschool teachers
  • Directors or lead teachers in child development centers
  • Educators
  • Consultants
  • Educational advisers

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