New Trends in Education

Why follow when you can lead the way? The following courses offer students opportunities to be at the cutting edge of research and educational trends. Many of these can be used for renewal training hours. Look for what helps you attain your goals as an Early Learning Specialist.

Inclusion Specialization

In response to the educational trend of inclusion, the A.S. degree in early childhood education will now offer students the opportunity to achieve the added credential of Inclusion Specialist within the duration of their degree program. For students who are completing the College Credit CDA, this new specialization could satisfy the Director's Credential special-needs course.

Inclusion and Special Needs in ECE (EEX 2010) is a new course that has recently been added to our curriculum to meet the requirements of this specialization. In this course, students will learn more about educational approaches, legal and medical implications, as well as the personal and social growth of children who are labeled as exceptional.

Students may apply for this specialization after they have completed 36 credits from within the Required Major Field and Major Field Electives sections of the A.S. Degree Program with a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher. This specialization can normally be obtained within one year. It is designed to prepare students to obtain employment as a Certified Teacher's Aide in public school settings or private industry, and to meet the individual needs of children that require special care in a preschool setting.

myCDA

This is a new online program that offers students the opportunity ot earn a National CDA Credential all in one semester!

Preschool Specialist Certificate

The A.S. degree in early childhood education offers students a Preschool Specialist Certificate within the duration of their degree program. After taking 12 semester hours and four specific courses (college-credit CDA), a Preschool Specialist Certificate will be awarded. This certificate does not replace the CDA Credential.

Review the Early Childhood Education Department schedule for course availability.

Did you know?

National CDA is one of the easiest stepping-stones towards meeting the requirements for Florida's Universal Preschool.