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Early Childhood Studies - A.S.

Want to Make a Difference???

That's what working with young children is all about! Research in the field of brain development tells us that the care and early learning experiences we provide for children lay the foundation for their future social and academic success. Society needs children who get off to a good start and children need adults who understand their needs and know how to support their early development. Trained early childhood professionals help children, families, and society one child at a time.

Sound Like Something You Would Like to Do???

Come to SUNY Canton and we will show you how. Our curriculum in Early Childhood Studies is a challenging and rewarding combination of classwork, laboratory experience, and  fieldwork. You will work with children every semester you are here and gain valuable hands-on experience that encourages you to put your knowledge to work. All that we do and teach you is based on recognized principles of developmentally appropriate practice, family-centered care, and the NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct. We hold ourselves and our students to high standards of best practice. Our Early Childhood Student Club is open to all SUNY Canton students from all majors who want to make a difference in a child's life!

Upon graduation you will be qualified to go directly to work or to transfer on to a 4 year degree. We take pride in working closely with individual students to tailor their degree and fieldwork to their career goals. With an A.S. degree in Early Childhood Studies you will not only help to shape the future of children's lives, you will shape your own.

Students in this Major:

• Participate in student teaching field-based internships in various child care environments including: Head Start Programs, Universal Pre-K and Kindergarten Public School Classrooms, Child Care Centers, Family Child Care Provider Homes, Nursery and Pre-School settings.
• Enroll in a course of study offering 12 courses specific to Early Childhood Education along with general Liberal Arts courses leading to an Associate of Science Degree.
• Take part in professional development opportunities offered through seminars, workshops and our Annual Early Childhood Conference, held every fall on our campus.
• Acquire practical experiences in our Maria Sergi Early Childhood Teacher Center.
• Prepare for rewarding careers in Early Care & Education or for transfer to 4-year Teacher Ed. Degree Programs.

Career Opportunities:

• Pre-school & Child Care Center Lead Teacher, Assistant Teacher
• Public School: Teacher Assistant
• Head Start: Lead Teacher, Ass't Teacher
• Self Employed: Child Care or Nursery School Owner
• Family Child Care Provider

Career Outlook:

• U.S. Department of Labor lists Pre- School Teachers among the 10 largest growth occupations through 2012.
• Certification requirements are increasing for Early Care and Education providers. Associate and Bachelor Degrees will be necessary to work in child care facilities and Head Start programs by 2013.
• Changes in society and the workforce demand an increase in the availability of high-quality early child care and education options for families and children from infancy to pre-kindergarten.

Transfer Opportunities:

• SUNY Cobleskill*
• SUNY Plattsburgh* (Child and Family Services)
• SUNY Oneonta (Child Development and Family Studies)
• SUNY Cortland
• SUNY Brockport

* Articulation agreements in effect.

Admission Requirements:

• Refer to the table of high school course prerequisites for admission.
• Students must meet entrance requirements and be eligible for enrollment in: Expository Writing (ENGL 101) or Oral and Written Expression (ENGL 102).
• Students must be eligible for enrollment in Intermediate Algebra (MATH 106) in the first semester, or be eligible for enrollment in a college-level math course (MATH 111, 115, or 121).
• Transfer students must have a minimum 2.0 GPA for admittance to the ECHD major.
• Students who do not meet ECHD admission requirements may enroll in preparatory courses. Student must pass all preparatory courses and have a minimum 2.0 GPA for admittance to ECHD program.
• Graduates of St. Lawrence-Lewis Counties BOCES and Franklin-Essex-Hamilton Counties BOCES Early Childhood Occupations programs may be eligible for 1–6 college credits toward the Early Childhood Program at SUNY Canton.

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* Fulfills writing intensive requirement.

** One college-level mathematics course (Math for Elementary Teachers or Survey of Math recommended) and one science course with a lab are required.

GER = General Education Requirement

NOTE: Early Childhood students must meet seven out of ten General Education Requirements and successfully complete the SUNY Canton Computer Competency requirement.

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