Program Details
Program Details
Use this dropdown to update your zip code
Back to top

Program Details

Associate of Applied Science - Early Childhood Development

Associate of Applied Science
Tidewater Community College

This program is included in: G3

The Early Childhood Development program prepares students in the care, supervision and education of young children from birth to age eight. The Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree provides fundamentals of child development and educational training for those entering the field. Graduates are equipped with knowledge and skills for work in settings such as preschools, child care centers and homes, Head Start programs, private schools, public schools and before-and-after school programs. For students wishing to pursue teacher licensure in the primary grades, the A.A.S. degree will also equip students who are planning to transfer to partner four-year institutions to earn a bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education (PreK-3) along with a teaching license.

The Career Studies Certificate programs focus on specific aspects of early childhood and prepare students for work with young children in a variety of school, childcare, and agency settings.

The Early Childhood Education program is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children.


Program Overview & Guidance
Expand or Shrink Accordion
Program Web Page
External Link
Delivery Mode
In-Person
Check Course Schedules
Delivery Mode
Online
Check Course Schedules
Delivery Mode
Hybrid
Check Course Schedules
Program Guidance Element What You Need to Know
Considerations for Selecting Degree
Considerations When Selecting Courses

  • Create a schedule for all required courses, pay attention to prerequisites and when courses are offered, complete your first math and English courses in your first year
  • Connect with an advisor at your community college and Tidewater Community College within your first year via College Connect
Program Requirements Beyond Specific Courses
Doing More With Your Degree
Program Successes & Highlights
  • Accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).
  • TCC had 40 graduates in 2020-21, 43 graduates in 2019-20, 44 graduates in 2018-19, 42 graduates in 2017-18, and 57 graduates in 2016-17 in the AAS program in Early Childhood Development.
Related Programs & Certifications
Expand or Shrink Accordion
Credential That Prepares You For This Program
Credential
Link
Program Credit Requirements
Expand or Shrink Accordion
The table below provides the requirements to complete this program. If you have an account and have created a Portfolio, the table includes the "Applied Credits" column. This column shows how the credits you earned based on the experiences you entered may be applied to satisfy these requirements. You should consult an advisor or counselor to find courses you can take at your current institution that will transfer to this degree.

Please note that some courses may count towards more than one requirement such as meeting a general education requirement and a major specific requirement. The course will be listed under the first matching requirement. Please contact the institution with questions.

The program map provided below is an estimate based on courses identified as a result of reviewing your portfolio and the requirements for the selected program.

A formal determination of credits awarded for your prior learning and their applicability to the degree requirements can only be made by the institution. The formal determination and resulting map may reflect higher or lower number of credits to be completed to achieve this program.
Requirements
Required Credits
Associate of Applied Science - Early Childhood Development
62
Associate of Applied Science: Early Childhood Development
62
Course Grad Req Grp (636)
62
Early Childhood Development Course Requirement - 62 Credits
62
CHD 120
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
CHD 205
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
ENG 111
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
HLT 135 or EDU 235
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course list:
PSY 230
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
SDV 100
1
Earn 1 credits by completing courses from the following Course list:
CHD 118
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
CHD 145
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
CHD 165
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
CHD 166
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
ENG 112
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
CHD 146
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
CHD 210
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
CHD 216
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
EDU 200
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
MTH 154 or higher
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course list:
BIO 101
4
Earn 4 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
CHD 265
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
CHD 270
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
ENG 241
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course list:
HIS 121
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course list:
Residency Requirement (636)
62
Transfer credits will be evaluated, and as applicable, up to 46 credits may be applied to this program.
GPA Requirement
62
This requires a minimum GPA of 2
What If I Have An Associate Degree Or Credit For Prior Learning?
Expand or Shrink Accordion
Transfer Guidance Element What You Need to Know
Associate Transfer Degree Completion The student development requirement at TCC is waived for students who have completed an associate or baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution. All other coursework is evaluated and transferred as applicable to your degree.

Completion of Associate Degree Concurrent with High School TCC does not distinguish between students earning an associate degree while in high school or after high school graduation.
Credit for Prior Learning TCC recognizes you have a wealth of skills and knowledge gained through life, work and community-based experiences. Credit for Prior Learning at TCC is academic credit awarded to students who successfully demonstrate college or university-level learning achieved through informal or experiential learning outside of the classroom. You can have your learning evaluated for academic credit, saving you time and money towards earning your degree.

For more information: https://help.tcc.edu/s/topic/0TO1R000000gnrkWAA/credit-for-prior-learning

Did You Know That...
  • Completing your Associate transfer degree post-high school satisfies all lower division general education requirements and increases the chance of completing your bachelor's degree?
  • Exceeding 3 years or 90 credits at your community college means you may have exhausted your financial aid at that college and have limited your future financial aid at: Tidewater Community College
College Level Information
Expand or Shrink Accordion
Transfer Center
External Link
Transfer Admission Application
External Link
Transfer Student Aid
External Link
Number of Transfer Students
3364
College Fit Guidance What You Need to Know
Is This College Right For Me? At TCC, we believe everyone should have access to a high quality, affordable education. With diverse programs designed for immediate job placement, smaller class sizes, top-rated faculty and modern campuses, TCC is an ideal environment for a life changing education, right here in your own backyard.
Transfer Student Catalog Year Catalog year is determined when an academic plan is selected by the student.
First Year Student Catalog Year Catalog year is determined by first semester of attendance.
Applying for Guaranteed Admissions Completing the first two years of your degree at TCC can get you in the door - while saving you thousands on the cost of your education. We recommend that you start your transfer planning during your first semester at TCC. In addition to your regular academic advising, you should review the TCC guaranteed admissions agreements and the transfer guides for the college or university to which you would like to transfer.

https://help.tcc.edu/s/article/Guaranteed-Transfer-Programs.

Where Can This Degree Transfer
Expand or Shrink Accordion
This section displays VCCS degrees most closely related to this program and to which you may be able to most efficiently transfer your current course work. So, you can use this list to find a degree you can complete in your major. Please click the degree name to visit that program page.

If you are interested in transferring to a four-year degree view this degree on the Transfer Virginia site to explore degrees aligned with this program at Virginia's 4-year institutions.

Institution Title Degree Award Name Award Level Delivery Mode
Eastern Shore Community CollegeEarly Childhood Education, AASAssociateAssociate in Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
Germanna Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science Degree in Early Childhood DevelopAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Hybrid
Laurel Ridge Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science Degree in Early Childhood DevelopmentAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
Northern Virginia Community CollegeEarly Childhood Development, A.A.S.AssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Hybrid
Paul D. Camp Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science in Early Childhood DevelopmentAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Online
Brightpoint Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science Degree in Early Childhood DevelopmentAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Hybrid
J Sargeant Reynolds Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science in Early Childhood DevelopmentAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
Virginia Western Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science Degree in Early Childhood DevelopmentAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Hybrid
Mountain Gateway Community CollegeAssociate of Science Degree in EducationAssociateAssociate of Science2-YearIn-Person, Online
Brightpoint Community CollegeAssociate of Science Degree in Teacher EducationAssociateAssociate of Science2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
Northern Virginia Community CollegeEducation, A.S.AssociateAssociate of Science2-YearIn-Person, Online
Rappahannock Community CollegeAA&S Degree in Arts and Sciences - Pre-Teacher Preparation Elementary (PreK-6) SpecializationAssociateAssociate of Arts and Sciences2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
Virginia Peninsula Community CollegeAssociate of Science in Social Science/EducationAssociateAssociate of Science2-YearIn-Person
Virginia Western Community CollegeAssociate of Science Degree in Social Sciences - Education SpecializationAssociateAssociate of Science2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
Wytheville Community CollegeAssociate of Arts & Sciences Degree in EducationAssociateAssociate of Arts & Science2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
Germanna Community CollegeAssociate of Arts & Sciences Degree in EducationAssociateAssociate of Arts and Sciences2-YearIn-Person, Hybrid
Germanna Community CollegeAssociate of Arts & Sciences Degree in K-8 EducationAssociateAssociate of Arts and Sciences2-YearIn-Person, Hybrid
Brightpoint Community CollegeAssociate of Science Degree in Teacher Education - Secondary Mathematics SpecializationAssociateAssociate of Science2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
Brightpoint Community CollegeAssociate of Arts Degree in Secondary Teacher Education (English/History)AssociateAssociate of Arts2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
Laurel Ridge Community CollegeAssociate of Science Degree in EducationAssociateAssociate of Science2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
Paul D. Camp Community CollegeAssociate of Arts & Sciences in Education AssociateAssociate of Arts and Sciences2-YearIn-Person
Wytheville Community CollegeAssociate of Science in EducationAssociateAssociate of Science2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
Virginia Peninsula Community CollegeAssociate of Science in Science/EducationAssociateAssociate of Science2-YearIn-Person
Virginia Peninsula Community CollegeAssociate of Science in Science/Math EducationAssociateAssociate of Science2-YearIn-Person
Virginia Peninsula Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science in Early Childhood DevelopmentAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person
Virginia Highlands Community CollegeAssociate of Science Degree in EducationAssociateAssociate of Science2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
Blue Ridge Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science Degree in Early Childhood DevelopmentAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Hybrid, Online
Central Virginia Community CollegeAAS in Early Childhood DevelopmentAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Online
Danville Community CollegeAssociate of Applied Science in Early Childhood EducationAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
Southwest Virginia Community College Associate of Applied Science Degree in Early Childhood DevelopAssociateAssociate of Applied Science2-YearOnline
Careers Where This Degree Applies
Expand or Shrink Accordion
O*Net Code Name Description Parent
25-1081.00Education Teachers, PostsecondaryTeach courses pertaining to education, such as counseling, curriculum, guidance, instruction, teacher education, and teaching English as a second language. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.Educational Instruction and Library Occupations
25-2031.00Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical EducationTeach one or more subjects to students at the secondary school level.Educational Instruction and Library Occupations
25-2021.00Elementary School Teachers, Except Special EducationTeach academic and social skills to students at the elementary school level.Educational Instruction and Library Occupations
25-2022.00Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical EducationTeach one or more subjects to students at the middle, intermediate, or junior high school level.Educational Instruction and Library Occupations
25-2012.00Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special EducationTeach academic and social skills to kindergarten students.Educational Instruction and Library Occupations
25-2011.00Preschool Teachers, Except Special EducationInstruct preschool-aged students, following curricula or lesson plans, in activities designed to promote social, physical, and intellectual growth.Educational Instruction and Library Occupations
39-9011.00Childcare WorkersAttend to children at schools, businesses, private households, and childcare institutions. Perform a variety of tasks, such as dressing, feeding, bathing, and overseeing play.Personal Care and Service Occupations
39-9011.01NanniesCare for children in private households and provide support and expertise to parents in satisfying children's physical, emotional, intellectual, and social needs. Duties may include meal planning and preparation, laundry and clothing care, organization of play activities and outings, discipline, intellectual stimulation, language activities, and transportation.Personal Care and Service Occupations
25-9042.00Teaching Assistants, Preschool, Elementary, Middle, and Secondary School, Except Special EducationAssist a preschool, elementary, middle, or secondary school teacher with instructional duties. Serve in a position for which a teacher has primary responsibility for the design and implementation of educational programs and services.Educational Instruction and Library Occupations
25-9043.00Teaching Assistants, Special EducationAssist a preschool, elementary, middle, or secondary school teacher to provide academic, social, or life skills to students who have learning, emotional, or physical disabilities. Serve in a position for which a teacher has primary responsibility for the design and implementation of educational programs and services.Educational Instruction and Library Occupations
Cost To Complete
Expand or Shrink Accordion

This section provides you with a very high-level estimate of your costs and is purely intended as a guide. You should consult the institution via College Connect to get a more detailed estimate based on the totality of your circumstances. The selections below are based on information gathered from your Profile and the estimated costs are calculated based on the 62 credits remaining to be completed

Please select the "Cumulative Months of Service" that determine your Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits.
Estimated Cost for the Associate of Applied Science - Early Childhood Development at Tidewater Community College
These costs are based on an estimated 4 semesters or 2 years remaining to complete this degree (assuming a full-time load of 16 hours per semester)
Category Cost Basis Cost (To You) Estimated Benefits Net Cost Notes
Tuition $165 Per Credit $10,230 $0 $10,230 Tuition is subject to change by action of the State Board for Community Colleges. Fees are payable with tuition and are charged on a per credit hour basis.
Fees
Institutional Fee $7 Per Credit $434 0 $434 Used to fund expenses related to campus parking including, but no limited to parking improvements, signage, parking lot repairs, lot security, and overall improvements. Up to a maximum of 15 credit hours per semester. Fees are payable with tuition and are charged on a per credit hour basis.
Student Activity Fee $3 Per Credit $186 0 $186 Used to fund various student activities and programs including, but not limited to honor societies, leadership training, community and cultural events, clubs, athletics, student publications, and learning assistance. Up to a maximum of 15 credit hours per semester. Fees are payable with tuition and are charged on a per credit hour basis.
Auxiliary Capital Fee $20 Per Credit $1,240 0 $1,240 Used to construct, maintain, and operate facilities for which state General Fund dollars are not permitted. Up to a maximum of 15 credit hours per semester. Fees are payable with tuition and are charged on a per credit hour basis.
*Please note that the above estimated costs do not include all Federal, State or other financial aid, grants, scholarships, etc. for which you may qualify. All such aid could substantially reduce these costs.
Other Financial Aid to Pay for College:
  • You may be eligible for additional financial aid from Federal, State, and Local sources. Military education benefits are not considered in determining eligibility for federal financial aid. Everyone is therefore encouraged to apply for federal financial aid by submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), because many will qualify for additional educational funds like Pell Grants, worth over $5,500/yr.
Ready To Enroll?
  • Find the program you want and apply here.
  • OR
  • Contact a navigator using the form below and they will guide you through the enrollment process.