Diploma in Public Service - Major in Early Childhood Development (ECHD)
42 Semester Hours
The Early Childhood Development Diploma is designed to prepare individuals for employment in educational and child care facilities serving children from birth through eight years of age. Positions which program graduates might assume include child development director, child development assistant, early childhood (child care) teacher, and special needs assistant. All courses in the Early Childhood Development Diploma program can be applied toward the Associate Degree in Early Care and Education.
The program is available during the day and evening.
The T.E.A.C.H. South Carolina Scholarship may be available for students already employed in childcare. ECD 101, Introduction to Early Childhood, may be eligible for the South Carolina Early Childhood Credential.
To complete this program, courses should be taken in the following sequence:
| Class | *Lab | Credit | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester | |||
| ECD 101 Introduction to Early Childhood** | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| ECD 102 Growth and Development I | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| ECD 131 Language Arts | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| ECD 132 Creative Experiences | 2 | 3 | 3 |
|
ENG 101 English Composition I*** or ENG 165 Professional Communications |
3 | 0 | 3 |
|
|
|||
| Total Semester Credits | 13 | 6 | 15 |
|
Spring Semester |
|||
| ECD 107 Exceptional Children | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| ECD 133 Science and Math Concepts | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| ECD 135 Health, Safety and Nutrition | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| ECD 203 Growth and Development II | 2 | 3 | 3 |
|
MAT 101 Beginning Algebra or MAT 110 College Algebra*** |
3 | 0 | 3 |
|
|
|||
| Total Semester Credits | 12 | 9 | 15 |
|
Summer Semester |
|||
| ECD 105 Guidance - Classroom Management | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| ECD 237 Methods and Materials | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| ECD 243 Supervised Field Experience I | 1 | 6 | 3 |
|
PSY 103 Human Relations or PSY 201 General Psychology*** |
3 | 0 | 3 |
|
|
|||
| Total Semester Credits | 9 | 9 | 12 |
* 3 Lab hours equals 1 credit hour
** Required for students to obtain the South Carolina Early Childhood Credential
*** Intended for those wishing to transfer.