|
The Human Services Associate of Applied Science (AAS)
degree is offered to those seeking employment in educational
occupations of human services. The Educational
Services Program specifically prepares students to enter
the fields of early childhood education, as a preschool
teacher or child care provider, or education, as an educational
assistant.
For both certificate and AAS programs, students are
provided with a well-rounded and diverse education that
consists of collegiate-level general education coursework
and a core of technical courses in the fields of child
development and education. All students gain practical
experience by completing cooperative work experience
and supervised practicum in local schools, child care
centers, and agencies that serve children and families.
To earn the AAS degree, students must satisfactorily
complete all the requirements of the degree including a
minimum of 90 credits, 40 of which are in the General
Education Component. The General Education requirement
allows the flexibility to continue professional
development later, by applying the basic skills gained to
more in-depth study.
One-year certificates are offered in emphasis areas of
Educational Assistant, and Child Care Provider. These
programs may serve as a fast track leading to entry-level
employment or a ladder to the AAS in Human Services.
Core outcomes of the Early Childhood Education
and Education programs include: Demonstration of an
understanding of the early childhood and education
professions, a sound knowledge of how young children
develop, and the ability to plan appropriate curriculum,
programs, and environments that respect cultural diversity;
fostering positive social interaction based on knowledge
and observation of individual children; establishing
and maintaining positive and collaborative relationships
with families; demonstrating sensitivity to differences in
family structures and cultures; serving as advocates on
behalf of children and their families; observing, recording,
and assessing children’s development using formal
tools and informal methods in a variety of classroom
settings under the supervision of qualified professionals;
knowledge of the needs of children with disabilities and
developmental delays to integrate goals from Individual
Education Plans into the classroom environment and
activities.
Successful pursuit of this degree requires students to
possess collegiate skills in reading, communication,
computation, and critical thinking. To acquire that
competency, it is highly recommended that students
complete pre-collegiate courses to gain these skills in
the first terms of their program.
Course of Study —
Early Childhood Education (ECE)
The ECE program is a career ladder that accommodates
the needs of both part-time and full-time students. The
Certificate Program meets the minimum requirements
for teachers in an Oregon licensed child care facility. Required
courses for the certificate program are applicable
to the AAS program.
Federal regulations require teachers in Head Start
programs to have a minimum of an AAS degree in Early
Childhood Education, the suggested minimum recommended
by the National Association for the Education
of Young Children. The AAS degree qualifies a student
to be a Head Start Teacher in an Oregon licensed child
care facility.
Education
The Education program is designed to allow students to
pursue a career as an educational assistant in regular or
special education classrooms. Students who complete
the AAS degree will be prepared to meet future training
requirements for Education Assistants under Title I.
This program also provides the opportunity to explore
careers in teaching or special education.
Program Requirement–Credit Hours
Student Success 3
Information Systems 4
Oral Communications 3
Writing 9
Health and Wellness 3
Computation 4
Arts and Letters 3
Social Sciences 3
Science/Math/Computer Science 8
Technical Core 21
Educational Assistant 9
or Childcare Provider 18
| 
