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.

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.

Graduation Requirements

Students must complete a minimum of 46 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 before the Certificate of Completion 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.

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

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:

Course List

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

Plan of Study Grid

First Year
Fall		Credits
ECE150	Introduction and Observation in ECE 1	4
ECE170	Health and Safety Early Childhood	3
HDFS225	Prenatal Infant and Toddler Development	3
WR121	English Composition	4
	Credits	14
Winter
ECE163	Environments and Guidance in ECE 2	3
ECE163B	Practicum I ECE 2	2
ECE151	Guidance and Classroom Management	3
ED258	Multicultural Education	3
HDFS140	Contemporary American Families	3
HDFS247	Child Development 0-8	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
HDFS222	Understanding Families: Supporting Diversity Disability and Risk	3
	Credits	15
	Total Credits	46

1	A criminal background check and fingerprinting is required before taking ECE150 and all Childhood Education and Family Studies practicum courses.
2	ECE163 and ECE209 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.
*	All Honors courses may substitute for their equivalent requirements.