The Certificate of Completion Childhood Education and Family Studies, Preschool Children, Education and Development II is a one-year certificate that prepares students for entry-level positions as child care workers, preschool attendants, preschool teacher assistants, and daycare assistants. This certificate fulfills the requirements for the one year of the AAS in Childhood Education and Family Studies degree, click here to learn how.
Entry Requirements
Students are required to complete the College's placement process to determine skill level and readiness in math, reading and writing. As part of their training program, students must begin with the courses within their skill level as determined by the placement process.
Students will also be required to have a current immunization record and background check to complete practicum requirements. The requirements will vary per state. Students whose home state is not Oregon, are encouraged to research the requirements for the state regulating organization regarding what will be required to complete the background check.
In Oregon, students must be listed on the Oregon Central Background Registry (CBR). To begin this process, visit the State of Oregon Early Learning Division to be prepared to complete practicum work in a certified early learning center, apply for a background check, and receive additional information regarding how to comply with fingerprinting requirements.
Gainful Employment Disclosure
Southwestern is required by federal regulations to disclose information related to the College's educational programs that lead to gainful employment in a recognized occupation. This information is intended to provide students the opportunity to measure employment outcomes associated with certificate programs.
Gainful employment information for the Certificate of Completion Childhood Education and Family Studies can be found online.
Graduation Requirements
Students must complete a minimum of 49 credit hours with a cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.0 or better. All courses must be completed with a grade of ‘C’ or better. Practicum and student teaching courses require students to pass CLASS assessments to successfully complete the courses. One course must be completed at Southwestern for this certificate is awarded.
Courses that are developmental in nature, (designed to prepare students for college transfer courses), are not applicable to this degree.
Complete the graduation application process one term prior to the term of completion (e.g., spring term graduates must apply during winter term).
Credit for Prior Learning
Credit for prior learning options are available for students with a Preschool Child Development Associate (CDA) credential, an Infant Toddler Child Development Associate (CDA) credential, a Step Seven on the Oregon Registry, or a Certificate of Completion for First Connections that includes mentoring in an infant toddler learning environment. Contact ece@socc.edu for more information.
Pre-Program Courses
Students are required to take the following courses prior to the program courses, depending on students' college placement information. See advisor for details:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CIS90 | Computer Basics (or demonstrate proficiency) | 2 |
| MTH20 | Basic Mathematics (or placement in higher math course) | 4 |
| WR90R | Academic Literacy (or placement in higher writing course) | 4 |
Program Guide
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| ECE150 | Introduction and Observation in ECE 1 | 4 |
| ECE151 | Guidance and Classroom Management 1 | 3 |
| ECE170 | Health and Safety Early Childhood | 2 |
| HDFS225 | Prenatal Infant and Toddler Dev | 3 |
| WR121 or WR121H |
English Composition or English Composition w/Honors |
3 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Winter | ||
| ECE152 | Creative Activities in ECE | 3 |
| ECE163 | Environments and Guidance in ECE 2 | 3 |
| ECE163B | Practicum I ECE 2 | 2 |
| ED258 | Multicultural Education | 3 |
| HDFS140 | Contemporary American Families | 3 |
| HDFS247 | Preschool Child Development | 3 |
| Credits | 17 | |
| Spring | ||
| ECE209 | Theory and Practice I Pre-K 2 | 3 |
| ECE209B | Practicum II Pre-K 2 | 2 |
| ECE154 | Children's Language and Lit Dev | 3 |
| MTH60 | Algebra I (or higher) | 4 |
| ED134 | Children Who are Dual Lang Learners | 2 |
| HDFS222 | Family Relations | 3 |
| Credits | 17 | |
| Total Credits | 49 | |
| 1 | ECE150 Introduction and Observation in ECE and ECE151 Guidance and Classroom Management must be taken as corequisites. A criminal background check and fingerprinting is required for these courses and all Childhood Education and Family Studies practicum courses. |
| 2 | ECE163 Environments and Guidance in ECE and ECE209 Theory and Practice I Pre-K must be taken in sequence with their corequisite practicum courses. A criminal background check and fingerprinting check is required for these courses and all Childhood Education and Family Studies practicum courses. Students pursuing a degree with the infant/toddler age group should substitute ECE161 Theory and Practice I Inf/Tod for ECE209 and ECE161B Practicum I Inf/Tod for ECE209B. |
Program Student Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this program, the student will have knowledge and skills in the following Standards developed by National Association for the Education of Young Children Early Childhood Associate Degree Accreditation (NAEYC). Click here for a complete list of Standards.
- Standard 1 a, b, c
- Standard 2 a, b, c
- Standard 3 a, b, c, d
- Standard 4 a, b, c, d
- Standard 5 a
- Standard 6 a, b, c, d, e
- Standard 7 a, b