Education, Early Childhood
Admissions and Records
- Email: admissions@svcc.edu
- Phone: (815) 835-6273
- Fax: (815) 456-4240
- Visit Admissions to view Hours
Associate in Arts Degree with a Concentration in
Early Childhood Education (681)
The early childhood education concentration will prepare students to transfer to a four-year institution to earn a bachelor's degree in early childhood education and teacher licensure (PreK- Grade 2) in the state of Illinois.
Education, Early Childhood - IAI Recommended Course Sequence
Follow this link for career information.
Transfer Considerations
General education and major field requirements vary significantly by intended transfer institution. Students who have already chosen the university to which they plan to transfer should consult that institution's catalog or department advisor and an SVCC academic advisor in planning their program. Transfer guides for some universities are available at svcc.edu/transfer.
- IMPORTANT NOTE ON GENERAL EDUCATION RECOMMENDATIONS: The courses recommended in the suggested program are beyond the minimum requirements necessary for completion of general education courses for an Associate of Arts degree. The general education recommendations listed below are for a student's full licensure requirements. Some of these additional courses may be completed after a student transfers, even with an Associate of Arts degree. Licensure information is based on the Illinois State Board of Education's administrative rules for teacher education preparation.
Competitive Admissions
Since admission is competitive, completing the recommended courses does not by itself guarantee admission.
- A minimum grade point average of 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale), dependent on the transfer school requirements, may be required for program admission.
- Students will also need to achieve a C or better grade in all general education coursework.
Special Considerations
- To teach in Illinois public schools (PreK-Grade 2), teachers must be licensed by the state of Illinois. Information regarding Illinois Standards for Professional Educator License is available on the Illinois State Board of Education Website at www.isbe.net.
- Criminal History Check Policy: Illinois law requires Illinois school boards to conduct a criminal background investigation on applicants for employment. This law also prohibits the employment of a person who has been convicted of committing or attempting to commit any one or more of a number of offenses. At present, offenses include first degree murder; any Class X felony; juvenile pimping; soliciting for a juvenile prostitute; exploitation of a child; obscenity; child pornography; harmful material; criminal sexual assault; aggravated criminal sexual assault; offenses set forth in the Cannabis Control Act; and crimes defined in the Illinois Controlled Substance Act. Employment must be denied whether the offenses and/or conviction occurred inside or outside the state of Illinois.
Students who perform classroom observations through coursework at Sauk Valley Community College may be required by the selected school/site to undergo a criminal background check prior to placement. Students may be denied at any observation site based on the results of that check.
Students who feel their criminal background may exclude them from observation or employment should seek counseling with SVCC faculty or advising staff early in their program to determine how it may affect their participation and eligibility.
Program Contacts at Sauk Valley Community College
- Academic Advising, 815-835-6354
- Beth Smaka, Assistant Professor of Early Childhood Education, 815-835-6388
Minimum Total Credit Hours - 65 Hours
Suggested Course Sequence
First Semester - 16 Hours
| Course # | Course Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Personal Health & Development | 1 Hour | |
| ECE114 | Child Care and Development | 3 Hours |
| This course provides an overview of the theory and principles of human growth and development from conception and prenatal development through age 8. Content includes an in-depth study of the inter-relatedness of physical socialemotional cognitive language and aesthetic aspects of development. Development is studied in the context of family gender culture language ability socio-economics diversity and society. Current research and major developmental theories are examined with an emphasis on the implications for early childhood professional practice. Students are required to complete 3 observations at an approved preschool site.Prerequisite NoneIllinois Articulation Initiative IAI ECE 912Semester hours 3LectureLab Hours 3 lecweek | ||
| EDU105 | Prep for Careers in Education | 2 Hours |
| This course introduces the student to licensure standards course sequences and skills required for education majors. Students will be introduced to the Illinois Professional Teaching Standards and will become familiar with the roles and responsibilities of teachers and the dispositions of effective teachers. Students will be exposed through observation activities to varying grade levels classrooms with the purpose of aiding in choosing the correct licensure path.Prerequisite None2 Semester hoursLectureLab Hours 2 lectureweek | ||
| ENG101 | Composition I | 3 Hours |
| This course 1 develops awareness of the writing process 2 provides inventional organizational and editorial strategies 3 stresses the variety of uses for writing and 4 emphasizes critical skills in reading thinking and writing.Prerequisite Required placement score on approved English placement test high school unweighted GPA of 3.0 or higher or a grade of C or higher in ELA 099.3 Semester hoursIllinois Articulation Initiative IAI C1 900LectureLab Hours 3 lecweek | ||
| FYE101 | First Year Experience | 1 Hour |
| The focus of this course is how to be successful in college. Study skills goal setting academic planning time and money management and information research skills are among the core topics included in this course. Within a supportive environment students will share their college experiences and develop connections with fellow students and SVCC staff. Prerequisite None1 Semester hoursLectureLab Hours 1 lecweek | ||
| MAT110 | Math for Elementary Teachers I | 3 Hours |
| The emphasis of this course is placed on mathematical reasoning and problem-solving as it pertains to modern elementarymiddle school mathematics. Topics include basic problem solving whole numbers and elementary number theory fractions ratios and percents rational numbers and real numbers. Prerequisite a grade of C or better in MAT 081 or higher AND MAT 076 OR appropriate placement see current placement score prerequisite chart 3 Semester hoursLectureLab Hours 2 lec 2 labweek | ||
| PSC163 | Am Government & Politics | 3 Hours |
| Students will examine American constitutional foundations and democratic values explore the role of public opinion and the character of the political process and understand the role of the media and interest groups in policy-making. Students will gain an understanding of how the major branches of the federal government work and improve skills in evaluating and analyzing current public policy issues. Prerequisite None3 Semester hoursIllinois Articulation Initiative IAI S5 900LectureLab Hours 3 lecweek | ||
Second Semester - 15-16 Hours
| Course # | Course Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| IAI Biological Science | 3-4 Hours | |
| EDU210 | Diversity in Education | 3 Hours |
| This course is designed to introduce pre-service teachers to the basic principles and foundations of educating for diversity. The course will explore schooling in and for global society. Emphasis will be on material evaluation and selection curricular design and the relationship between diversity classroom procedure and educational policyPrerequisite None3 Semester hoursLectureLab Hours 3 lecweek | ||
| EDU221 | Children's Literature | 3 Hours |
| This course introduces students to the history themes form and genres of literature for children. Special emphasis on the analysis and evaluation of literature for children as well as the social and cultural contexts that have influenced the creation and selection of literature for children. Prerequisite None3 Semester hoursIllinois Articulation Initiative IAI H3918LectureLab Hours 3 lecweek | ||
| ENG103 | Composition II | 3 Hours |
| An advanced course in essay writing with emphasis on formal research ENG 103 serves to develop a proficiency in the collection and selection of data as applied to the completion of a formal research paper. In addition students receive instruction in logic and reasoning including the fundamentals of argumentative and persuasive writing. Prerequisite A grade of C or higher in ENG 101 or its equivalent or consent of instructor. 3 Semester hoursIllinois Articulation Initiative IAI C1 901RLectureLab Hours 3 lecweek | ||
| MAT111 | Math for Elementary Teacher II | 3 Hours |
| This course is a continuation of MAT 110. Topics include algebraic thinking introductory probability and statistics geometry measurement coordinate geometry and transformations.Prerequisite MAT 110 with a grade of C or higher.3 Semester hoursIllinois Articulation Initiative IAI M1 903LectureLab Hours 2 lec 2 labweek | ||
Third Semester - 15-16 Hours
| Course # | Course Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| * | IAI Physical Science | 3-4 Hours |
| ** | ECE / EDU Elective | 3 Hours |
| ECO211 | Principles of Macroeconomics | 3 Hours |
| A survey of macro-economic theory with emphasis on resource allocation in a mixed-enterprise economy. Concentration is on the operation of the market mechanism the role of government and labor international trade national income determination and accounting money and banking monetary and fiscal policy and macroeconomic fluctuations.Prerequisite None3 Semester hoursIllinois Articulation Initiative IAI S3 901LectureLab Hours 3lec week | ||
| - OR - | ||
| ECO212 | Principles of Microeconomics | 3 Hours |
| Introduction to price theories the behavior of the firm under varying market conditions and the behavior of the consumer. Prerequisite None3 Semester hoursIllinois Articulation Initiative IAI S3 902LectureLab Hours 3 lecweek | ||
| EDU220 | Educ of the Exceptional Child | 3 Hours |
| An introductory overview of the field of special education and the educational and evidence-based strategies that support children with exceptional cognitive social physical and emotional needs. Services and interventions will be examined including federal and state requirements for eligibility. Students will be introduced to the various exceptionality categories that occur in the population including an overview of characteristics of individuals in each category with emphasis on category-appropriate interventions and teaching strategies. Prerequisite None3 Semester hoursIllinois Articulation Initiative IAI ECE 913LectureLab Hours 3 lecweek | ||
| ART119 | Art Appreciation | 3 Hours |
| A survey of the visual arts painting drawing printmaking sculpture and architecture. Examines historical social and technological factors that contribute to understanding the function and meaning of works of art. This course fulfills a fine arts general education requirement for the non-art major.Prerequisite None3 Semester hoursIllinois Articulation Initiative IAI F2 900 LectureLab Hours 3 lecweek | ||
| - OR - | ||
| MUS201 | Music Appreciation | 3 Hours |
| A course where the novice can learn without going into music history the basic mechanics of all types of music ranging from classical to rock. The course emphasizes what to listen for and to identify factors that influence music politics religion technology philosophy etc.. Examples of various arts are used to clarify fundamental concepts for those who have no experience in the field of music. Open to all students.Prerequisite None3 Semester hoursIllinois Articulation Initiative IAI F1 900LectureLab Hours 3 lecweek | ||
Fourth Semester - 18 Hours
| Course # | Course Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Humanities / Fine Arts | 3 Hours | |
| *** | Program Elective (EDU / ECE, MAT, GSC) | 3 Hours |
| EDU102 | Computer Education for Teacher | 3 Hours |
| This course is designed to meet the needs of education majors. This course will introduce students to the fundamentals and skills necessary to effectively integrate technology into teaching. This course is designed for the student with minimal computer experience. Prerequisite None3 Semester hours3 lecweek | ||
| COM131 | Intro to Oral Communication | 3 Hours |
| The oral communication course combines communication theory with the practice of oral communication skills. The course 1 develops awareness of the communication process 2 provides inventional organizational and expressive strategies 3 promotes understanding of and adaptation to a variety of communication contexts and 4 emphasizes critical skills in listening reading thinking and speaking.Prerequisite None3 Semester hoursIllinois Articulation Initiative IAI C2 900LectureLab Hours 3 lecweek | ||
| GEO122 | Human Geography | 3 Hours |
| An introduction to regional surveys of the basic concepts within human geography. Provides an initial understanding of spatial analysis through traditional and digital tools and uses them to explore cultural phenomena. Introduces regional populations migrations languages religions and ethnicities as well as their urban political and economic constructs. Explores both developed and developing regions and their connections to each other and to the physical and environmental factors that influence their culture. Prerequisite None3 Semester hoursIllinois Articulation Initiative IAI S4 900N LectureLab Hours 3 lecweek | ||
| HIS221 | American History to 1865 | 3 Hours |
| Students will examine the first interactions of Native American cultures European conquerors and enslaved Africans. They will compare the Spanish French and English experiences in North America and explore the events in the English colonies that led to revolution and independence. They will examine the constitution issues political clashes and social changes of the Federalist Jefferson and Jacksonian periods. Students will explore westward expansion immigration in the north and southern slave economy. They will consider the events of the decade of crisis that led to civil war and look closely at the war and its major consequences. Prerequisite None3 Semester hoursIllinois Articulation Initiative IAI IAI S2 900LectureLab Hours 3 lecweek | ||
| - OR - | ||
| HIS222 | American History Since 1865 | 3 Hours |
| Students will examine American history from the Reconstruction Era to the present. They will gain an understanding of historical periods and events such as the Industrial Revolution the Gilded Age the Great Depression the two World Wars the Cold War the Age of Affluence and the Struggle For Racial and Gender Equality. Prerequisite None3 Semester hoursIllinois Articulation Initiative IAI IAI S2 901LectureLab Hours 3 lecweek | ||
Footnotes
* One lab science required of either IAI Biological Science or IAI Physical Science
** Recommended Electives include: ECE 115, ECE 118, ECE 240, or EDU 275. Consult an advisor for best transfer fit.
*** Students should consult with an advisor for best transfer fit. Students attending NIU will need to take one Physical Science (CHEM/PHY) and an additional Earth Science (GSC) course. Students may need MAT 240. Other recommended electives are ECE 115, ECE 118, ECE 240, EDU 275.