This curriculum prepares individuals to work with children in elementary through middle grades in diverse learning environments. Students will combine learned theories with practice in actual settings with school-age children under the supervision of qualified teachers.

Program Outcomes:

Course work includes child growth/development; computer technology in education; physical/nutritional needs of school-age children; care and guidance of school-age children; and communication skills with families and children. Students will foster the cognitive/language, physical/motor, social/emotional, and creative development of school-age populations.

Occupational Outlook:

Graduates are prepared to plan and implement developmentally appropriate programs in school-aged environments. Employment opportunities include school-age teachers in child care programs, before/after-school programs, paraprofessional positions in public/ private schools, recreational centers, and other programs that work with school-age populations.

Additional Information:

Prior to the practicum or internship coursework requirements, students may be required to submit a certified Criminal History Check from the Clerk of Superior Court’s office and a completed fingerprint card for submission to the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) for a criminal history check (Section 2700 of Subchapter 3U- Child Day Care Rules on Criminal Records Check).

Students with a felony conviction may have limited certification and employment opportunities in the field and may not be able to complete the Early Childhood Education degree or School-Age Education degree.