Early Childhood And Special Education - Garrett College
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Early Childhood & Special Education


Developing a passion for learning starts at an early age. The passion for teaching the youngest of minds should also be fostered and honed to ensure educators are on the leading edge of educational practice.

Why choose Garrett for Early Childhood Education or Early Childhood Special Education?

Garrett College’s education programs are highly committed to providing pre-service teachers with the highest quality education to properly prepare them for the rigors of teaching in the 21st century. By educating teacher candidates in theory, analytical thinking, practical methods, and the latest proven methods, we strive to give candidates the necessary tools to become effective and efficient educational leaders.

NOTE: The Associate of Arts in Teaching (AAT) program discussed here is designed for transfer to a four-year Maryland institution. Students wishing to transfer to an out-of-state institution should follow the Early Childhood Education program

Teacher Education Degrees

Garrett College awards an Associate in Arts in Teaching degree to graduates of the Teacher Education Early Childhood/Special Education concentration.

Program Learning Outcomes

  • Students will demonstrate competency in written and oral communication appropriate to their teacher education focus.
  • Students will research, analyze, and evaluate learning theories, strategies, and technology relevant to classroom instruction.
  • Students will research and apply current instructional strategies, pedagogical trends, and best practices to curriculum development.
  • Students will develop and implement various forms of assessment to monitor and manage student learning.
  • Students will develop an in-depth understanding of basic concepts, terminology, and techniques appropriate to their area of study in teacher education.
  • Students will differentiate instruction for students of all abilities.
  • Students will create lesson plans and develop instructional strategies based on state curriculum and INTASC standards.

Program Benefits

Students in the Early Childhood Education/Special Education program get high educational value at Garrett with the following:

  • Transferability of most credits in many regional four-year institutions
  • Broad educational foundation
  • Affordable start to a four-year degree

Career Goals

Garrett's Early Childhood Education/Early Childhood Special Education program prepares you to transfer to a four-year institution and pursue a career in any of the following general or specialty fields:

  • Pre-school teacher/assistant
  • Daycare worker
  • Children's programming

Early Childhood Education/Early Childhood Special Education A.A.T. Degree

Total Credit Hours Required 62

GER Required (36 Credits)

English Composition

  • ENG101  Comp I—Expos Writing  3
    Min. C grade required

Arts and Humanities

  • ENG102  Comp II—Intro to Literature  3
  • ART115  Visual Imagery  3
  • HIS111  American History to 1865
    or  HIS112  American History since 1865
    or  HIS121  Twentieth Century World  3

Social and Behavioral Sciences

  • PSY101  General Psychology  3
  • GEO201  Cultural Geography  3

Science

  • BIO101  General Biology  4
  • PHY130  Physical Science  4
  • ESC101  Physical Geology
    or  ESC121  Physical Geography
    or  CHE101  General Chemistry I  4

Mathematics

  • MAT105  College Algebra  3

Interdisciplinary/Emerging Issues

  • EDU246  Educational Technology*  3

* Minimum C grade required for this major.

Core Courses (26 credits)

  • EDU101  Early Childhood Educ I*  3
  • EDU102  Early Childhood Educ II*  3
  • EDU105  Career in Analysis in Education*  1
  • EDU201  Foundations of Education*  3
  • EDU210  Intro Exceptional Individual*  3
  • EDU270  Process/Acquisition of Reading*  3
  • EDU275  Teaching Lab*  1
  • MAT121  Elementary Mathematics I*  3
  • MAT122  Elementary Mathematics II*  3
  • PSY220  Child Psychology  3

* Minimum C grade required for this major.

Additional Graduation Requirements:

  • Must pass PRAXIS CORE exam (students with an ACT composite score of 24 or a SAT combined math & verbal score of 1180 [1100 if taken before 12/31/18] are exempt) OR have minimum 3.0 cgpa at graduation.
  • Minimum CGPA 2.75

This program has been approved for an exception to the 60-credit limit mandated under the College and Career Readiness and College Completion Act of 2013.

Garrett College Program of Study