Early Childhood Education Technology, AAS

Purpose

The Early Childhood Education Technology program provides preparation for a professional career in Early Childhood Education spanning a variety of career options. This discipline includes classroom instruction, supervised laboratory experiences, and work-based learning experiences. Students will develop competencies that enable them to provide services, teach, and guide young children in various early childhood professions.

Program Description

The Early Childhood Education Technology curriculum is a two-year discipline that requires a minimum of 68 semester hours of course work. These minimum course requirements are 18 semester hours of general education and 50 semester hours of Early Childhood Education courses. Successful completion of the Early Childhood Education Technology curriculum results in the student receiving an Associate in Applied Science degree. This curriculum meets the National Association for the Education of Young Children Standards for Early Childhood Professional Preparation, the Mississippi Department of Education Early Learning Standards and Guidelines for Pre-Kindergarten (3 and 4 year olds), and the Mississippi Early Learning Standards and Guidelines for Infants and Toddlers. The content for the Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential is embedded in the ECET coursework. In addition, Jones College offers the opportunity for Early Childhood Education Technology students to meet the qualifications of a Child Care Director required by the Mississippi State Department of Health. A child care director shall be at least 21 years of age and shall have a minimum of a two-year associate degree from an accredited community or junior college in child development technology which must include a minimum of 480 hours of practical training, supervised by college instructors, in a college operated child care learning laboratory. The Early Childhood Education Technology program has articulation agreements with selected accredited colleges and universities. Therefore, many of the academic and early childhood credits earned are transferable. This offers a student the opportunity to pursue a higher degree in an Early Childhood Education related field at one of the selected accredited colleges or universities. Students must contact the college of their choice annually for transfer credit approval.

Program Length

Five semesters (Fall, Spring, Summer, Fall, Spring)

Degree(s) Offered

Associate in Applied Science

Admission Requirements: Due before the first day of the enrollment semester.

1. Meet all general requirements for admission to Jones College according to the current catalog.
2. Be at least 18 years of age by September 1 of the year of enrollment.
3. Have a regular high school diploma or GED (General Educational Development scores).
4. Have a composite score of 16 or higher on the ACT (American College Test); at least a 16 ACT sub-score for English and Math.
5. If previously enrolled in any accredited college or university, the student must have maintained a 2.5 GPA. This includes English Composition I with a “C” or better and Intermediate Algebra and/or College Algebra with a “C” or better. The student may retake the ACT scoring a 16 in English and Mathematics. Submit all transcripts and ACT scores to the Admissions and Records Office.
6. Interview with the Early Childhood Program Coordinator/Advisor to begin the application process for admission into the Early Childhood Program.
   After admission into the program and before the first day of the enrollment semester:
7. Submit a completed Early Childhood Education Technology Program Application Form.
8. Submit a current Mississippi Department of Health Form #121 Certificate of Immunization Compliance (completed by the physician or health department of the student’s choice and at the student’s expense) showing all of the student’s immunizations are current and the form is signed, dated, and stamped by the MDH representative.
9. Submit documentation of a negative Tuberculosis Test from a physician or health department (completed by the physician or health department of the student’s choice and at the student’s expense).
10. Submit a completed Report of Medical Examination (completed by the physician of the student’s choice and at the student’s expenses) indicating the student is physically and mentally capable of working with and caring for children according to the Mississippi Department of Health Regulations Governing Licensure of Child Care Facilities.
11. Submit to a drug test conducted by a certified laboratory approved by the college, if requested. The student is charged a fee for processing.
12. Submit fingerprints (completed by a JC representative) for processing to the Mississippi Department of Health for a Criminal History Record Check. The student is charged a fee for processing.
13. Submit a completed Child Abuse Registry Check form to the ECET program. The ECET program will submit the form to the Mississippi Department of Human Services for processing.
14. Submit a completed application packet to include ECET program application form, Confidentiality Agreement, Dress Code Policy Agreement, Cell Phone Policy, Computer Use Policy, Expectations Policies, et al.

*****Continued enrollment in the ECET program will depend upon receipt of a clear Criminal History Records Check and clear Child Abuse Registry Check. Continued enrollment will also depend upon updating personal record requirements as necessary.

Application Procedure

To apply for admission to the ECET program, make an appointment with the Early Childhood Program Coordinator/Advisor. The best way to make an appointment is to email your request to earlychilddegree@jcjc.edu or call the office phone at 601-477- 4119. This office is located in the Technology Services Building office #75.

Failure to submit all information or complete all requirements will void the application and the student will not be enrolled in the program.

Admission to the Program

Each application is screened to insure the applicant meets all minimum requirements. Admissions criteria are based on the completion of all minimum requirements, submission of a completed application packet, and space available. Students are admitted pending a favorable Criminal Records Check and Child Abuse Registry Check by the Mississippi Department of Human Services-Division of Family and Children Services. Continued enrollment in the program will depend upon receipt of a clear Criminal History Record Check and Child Abuse Registry Check from the State of Mississippi. Continued enrollment will also depend upon updating personal records requirements as necessary.

Readmission to Program

Students who withdraw from the ECET program for any reason and wish to be readmitted must reapply to the program. This includes students who do not attend for one or more semesters. At this time, students must meet current admission requirements.

Contact

ECET Program Coordinator/Advisor, Leah Hinton. The best way to contact is to email your request to earlychilddegree@jcjc.edu or call the office phone at 601-477-4119.