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.
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. Delete: 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 https://www.skagit.edu/academics/areas-of-study/bachelors/
A Bachelor of Applied Science in Early Childhood Education degree is awarded upon completion of 98 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 here. 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 at one of the program’s partner schools in the Mount Vernon or Burlington-Edison School Districts. 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: 2 full weeks and 2 hours per day for 11 weeks
- Winter quarter: 2 full days each week
- Spring quarter: 5 full days each week
Learning 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 https://www.skagit.edu/academics/areas-of-study/bachelors/
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 all of the following:
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Attended an Early Childhood Education program briefing session. This is the only way a prospective student can receive an application for the program
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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, or have completed any Associate degree and the following prerequisite courses with a C grade or higher: ENGL 101 ; CMST 220 or CMST 210:E or equivalent with a C or higher; EDUC 115 Child Development ; EDUC 130 Guiding Behavior ; and EDUC 150 Child, Family, and Community
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Completed the WEST-B standardized exam and submitted their scores with their program application
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Applicants may apply if they anticipate receiving their Associates degree before the program start. The acceptance will be conditional, and the degree or relevant courses must be completed before the first day of classes. All prerequisite courses must be completed before applying to the program
Certification and Licensure
The Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) in Early Childhood Education prepares graduates to earn a Residency Teacher Certificate in Washington State with an endorsement in ECE. Admission to the program (see above) requires passage of the WEST-B test of basic skills or an alternate assessment approved by the Washington Professional Educators Standards Board (see their website, here). Furthermore, earning the content endorsement in ECE required to teach in Washington requires candidates to
- Pass the NES assessment of content knowledge in Early Childhood Education; or
- Demonstrate proficiency in the content areas by compiling a portfolio of teaching materials for SVC’s case-by-case exception process.
Candidates generally take the NES assessment in the second year of their program.
Earning a Washington teaching certificate requires fingerprinting and successful passage of background checks from the Washington State Patrol and the FBI. Individuals who hold a Washington Residency Teaching Certificate may also teach in Arizona, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, and Oklahoma. Other states do not have direct reciprocity with Washington, but a Washington teaching certificate may be used for accelerated licensure in many states. See the Education Commission’s 50 State Comparison for more detail.
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
Ariel Glavick
Certification Officer and Advisory
Ariel.Glavick@skagit.edu
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