Teacher teaching small children

The Early Childhood Administration degree prepares students for employment in the management of early childhood and school-age programs. Students acquire the skills and knowledge to administrate programs serving infants, toddlers, preschool, and school-age children. This program includes the 20 credit hour Administration of an Early Childhood Center certificate and upon successful completion of this degree, students are eligible to apply for the Illinois Director’s Credential. This degree program requires a minimum of 64 credits in program requirements, program electives, and general education in the courses listed below.

For more information about Early Childhood Education and Care, please visit the program page.

Degree Requirements

Field of Study Code: ECEC.AAS.ADMIN

Program Requirements
ECEC 1100Intro to the Early Childhood Profession3
ECEC 1101Growth & Development of the Young Child3
ECEC 1102Child Guidance Practices3
ECEC 1130Methods: Discovery & the Physical World3
ECEC 1140Methods: Self-Expression & Social World3
ECEC 1163Practicum: At-Risk Early Childhood Prog1
ECEC 2210The Young Child With Special Needs2
ECEC 2211Child Health, Safety and Nutrition3
ECEC 2221Early Childhood Administration Practicum4
ECEC 2251Curriculum Planning for the Young Child3
ECEC 2254Administration of an Early Childhood Center - Program Operations3
ECEC 2255Administration of an Early Childhood Center - Practices & Procedures3
ECEC 2256Administration of an Early Childhood Center - Staff, Families, & Children3
ECEC 2260Early Childhood Professional3
Program Electives
Select three credits in Early Childhood Education and Care courses 13
General Education
Select 21 to 22 credits 121-22
Total Credits64-65
1

In addition to the courses listed above.

General Education Requirements

For general education requirements for the A.A.S. degree, please visit the A.A.S. degree catalog page.

Suggested Semester Sequence

Plan of Study Grid
First SemesterCredits
ECEC 1100 Intro to the Early Childhood Profession 3
ECEC 1101 Growth & Development of the Young Child 3
ECEC 2256 Administration of an Early Childhood Center - Staff, Families, & Children 1 3
ECEC 2211 Child Health, Safety and Nutrition 3
Gen Ed 3
 Credits15
Second Semester
ECEC 1102 Child Guidance Practices 2 3
ECEC 2210 The Young Child With Special Needs 2 2
ECEC 2251 Curriculum Planning for the Young Child 3 3
ECEC 2255 Administration of an Early Childhood Center - Practices & Procedures 2 3
Gen Ed 3
 Credits14
Summer Semester
ECEC 2254 Administration of an Early Childhood Center - Program Operations 4 3
Gen Ed 3
 Credits6
Third Semester
ECEC 1130 Methods: Discovery & the Physical World 1 3
ECEC 1140 Methods: Self-Expression & Social World 1 3
ECEC 2260 Early Childhood Professional 1 3
Gen Ed 6
 Credits15
Fourth Semester
ECEC 1163 Practicum: At-Risk Early Childhood Prog 1
ECEC 2221 Early Childhood Administration Practicum 4
Gen Ed 6
ElectiveProgram Elective 5 3
 Credits14
 Total Credits64
1

Only offered fall semester.

2

Only offered spring semester.

3

Only offered online and is offered both spring and fall semesters.

4

Only offered summer semester.

5

Students should consider taking ECEC 2252 Child/Family/Community Relations & Resources as their program elective so that they are eligible to apply for the Gateways Level 2 Early Childhood Credential.

Program Milestones

First Semester

Second Semester

Summer Semester

  • Apply for the Administration of an Early Childhood Center certificate.

Third Semester

  • The ECEC program has an articulation agreement with National-Louis University. Students interested in completing a Baccalaureate degree in Early Childhood Administration should meet with a National-Lewis representative this semester on the COD campus. Dates are posted in the Education suite BIC 2H01.
  • Meet with ECEC Clinical Chair regarding degree completion and practicum placements (review notes in program requirements above) and apply for ECEC 1163 Practicum: At-Risk Early Childhood Prog and ECEC 2221 Early Childhood Administration Practicum practicum permits by mid-term.

Fourth Semester