Education, Early Childhood Education, BAS

Overview

If you are interested in becoming a preschool through 3rd grade teacher who is prepared to work effectively with multilingual learners and their families, the Bachelor of Applied Science in Early Childhood Education degree is for you.

Learning in the program takes place through a blend of online and classroom engagement, practice and clinical experiences in preschool through 3rd grade classrooms throughout Skagit and Island County.  

The course of study prepares students with the skills necessary for leading effective preschool and primary school classrooms.

Degree Option

The Bachelor in Early Childhood program is a three-year degree designed for students who have completed an associate degree (AA, AAS-T, AAS, or ATA) in Early Childhood Education or Education Paraprofessional.

The Bachelor in Early Childhood Education program has a selective admissions process and students may only begin the program fall quarter. Prospective students must attend a program briefing to receive application materials. The choice of degree is selected at the time of application and students must attend a program briefing to receive application materials. The application and admission process information can be found at URL  

A Bachelor of Applied Science in Early Childhood Education degree is awarded upon completion of 92 credits of specified 300 and 400 level coursework with a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher.  Entry into a master’s program may require a higher GPA for admission.  Students are responsible for checking specific requirements of graduate institutions prior to application.  

Cost of Program

Specific tuition information can be found at: www.skagit.edu/admissions/tuition-fees.  Upper division courses carry a higher tuition rate than lower division courses.

Time Commitment and Schedule

Classes are held every other Saturday on the Mount Vernon campus. 

Additionally, you will be required to complete lab hours in a preschool through third grade classroom every quarter.  During the first two years of this three-year degree program, you can complete your lab hours at your current workplace, if you already work in the early learning field.

During the third year of the program, you will do your student teaching with a mentor teacher in a PreK- 3rd grade classroom in one of our partner schools.  Student teaching hours are typically unpaid and are a significant investment of time. 

You will complete 540 hours student teaching during the third year of the program.  The time commitment consists of the following:

• Fall quarter: 1 full day each week;
• Winter quarter: 3 full days each week;
• Spring quarter: 5 full days each week.

Program Outcomes

Graduates of the Bachelor of Early Childhood Education program will be able to:

• Describe the range of developmental needs of children aged 3 to 8 years old, including how children learn new information and skills.
• Differentiate instruction based on individual learning differences.
• Create inclusive and cognitively engaging educational environments that support student learning.
• Create learning experiences that use the central concepts and structures of the discipline to make the discipline accessible and meaningful to the students.
• Use multiple methods of assessment to learn about the learners and identify what and how to best teach them.
• Use instructional strategies that are culturally safe and responsive for a variety of children and families, including emerging multilingual learners.
• Use a variety of instructional strategies that encourage learners to develop a deep understanding of content areas and their connections.
• Plan instruction that supports every student in meeting rigorous learning goals by drawing upon knowledge of learners and the community context, as well as knowledge of content areas, curriculum, cross-disciplinary skills, and cognitive science.

Program Admissions

Applied Bachelor degrees at Skagit Valley College are selective admission programs with a separate admissions process for these degrees. Prospective students must register for and attend a program information session to receive application materials. Information on the application and admissions process is available at skagit.edu/basam. 

Specialized Program Information

Skagit Valley College bachelor degrees follow a cohort model and students may only begin the program fall quarter.  

Prerequisites:

Entry requirements reflect the preparation needed for upper division courses in the Early Childhood Education field.

For the Bachelor of Applied Science in Early Childhood Education program, applicants must have:

1. Attended an Early Childhood Education program briefing session.  This is the only way a prospective student can receive an application. 
2. An associate degree (AA, AAS-T, AAS, or ATA) in Early Childhood Education or Education Paraprofessional by the time of entry into the program with a cumulative GPA of 2.75.
   • Applicants may apply if they anticipate receiving their associate degree or completing equivalent courses before the program start.  The acceptance will be conditional, and the degree or relevant courses must be completed before the first day of classes. 
3. Met the entry requirements for Early Childhood Education (first quarter course)

• ENGL 101  
• CMST 220  or CMST 210  or equivalent with a C grade or higher.
• EDUC 115  
• EDUC 130  
• EDUC 150  

   4. Early Childhood Education faculty will assist students with course verifications. 

Advisor Check Ins

These checkpoints provide the framework for Skagit Valley College Advising Policy and Procedures for BAS degrees:

• Prior to Application: The College will provide information designed to assist students in identifying educational goals and options, as well as critical resources for supporting students in achieving their goals.
• BAS Application: Students will be asked to attend a program briefing session and to apply for admission to the program.
• BAS Enrollment: Once accepted into the program, BAS faculty and staff will guide students with registration. 

Faculty and Advisor:

Alexis Meyers

Faculty and Department Chair

Alexis.Meyers@skagit.edu