School of Education
Associate of Arts in Inclusive Early Childhood Education

The associate of arts degree in Inclusive Early Childhood Education (IECE) is one of three programs with emphasis on the care and education of young children in inclusive early childhood settings. This program provides a broad knowledge of and skills in promoting development and learning across the birth through age eight range, with emphasis on young children from infancy to age 5 years. This requisite knowledge and skills prepare early care and education personnel to support young children and their families through appropriate curriculum and assessment methods, as well as collaborative practices in culturally competent, ethical and legal ways. The IECE program is designed to ensure that students learn about the variability of young children and the adaptations and modifications that can be made to ensure best practices in developmental and learning experiences for all children. The program stresses the importance of natural environments, play support, and the integration of developmental/learning experiences into the curriculum.

Students are trained to assume the primary role of facilitators of child development and learning, parent/caregiver-child relationships, and engaging families. The program meets the needs of early childhood care and education providers and individuals working with young children in the following early childhood care and education settings: center-based infant-toddler, center-based preschool, family childcare, home visitor, and kindergarten.

Students completing the Associate of Arts degree requirements in Inclusive Early Childhood Education (IECE) Program are encouraged to apply to the Bachelor of Arts in Inclusive Early Childhood Education Program. Courses completed successfully can be transferred to the BA program.

In addition to the general education requirements (see pp. 73-74), the following courses are required:

  • EDU 101 Introduction to IECE in the U.S., Caribbean & Global Contexts – 3 credits
  • EDU 110 Early Childhood Development and Inclusive Environments I – 3 credits
  • EDU 111 Early Childhood Development and Inclusive Environments II – 3 credits
  • EDU 214 Family and Community Relationships– 3 credits
  • EDU 215 Promoting Positive Socio-Emotional Foundations of Early Learning – 3 credits
  • EDU 216 Inclusive Early Childhood Curricula and Assessment – 3 credits
  • EDU 219 Promoting Language and Literacy in Early Childhood Education – 3 credits
  • EDU 223 Supervised Field Experience in Designing and Implementing Inclusive Early Childhood Education Programs II– 5 credits