Early Childhood & Youth Development - A.A.S. Degree - Dakota County Technical College | DCTC - a 2-Year Minnesota School Offering Associate Degree, Certificate and Diploma Programs to the Twin Cities, MN

Early Childhood & Youth Development - A.A.S. Degree

This program prepares students for employment in a variety of early childhood and youth settings. Students learn about child development, guidance, professional relationships, nutrition, health & safety, cultural sensitivity, and techniques for promoting learning in young children. In addition to studies in early childhood, students in this program can choose technical electives to support understanding of business and entrepreneurship practices making this degree an excellent match for students considering owning or directing a childcare or other early childhood program. This program is available online and most courses are also available in the classroom. Courses meet Minnesota Department of Human Services educational requirements for teachers in a child care setting. This program is available in the classroom on-campus and also online.

Additional Degree Requirements

The following award requires a clear MN Criminal Background Study.
Students must earn a grade of 'C-' or better for all required ECYD courses and ECYD technical electives.

This is a suggested sample course sequence.
Please contact your program advisor regarding your academic plans.

Get the Early Childhood & Youth Development Datasheet

2024-2025 Required Courses

First Year - Fall Semester

Course Title	Credits
COMS 1020 Interpersonal Communication COMS - 1020: Interpersonal Communication Description COMS 1020 This course is intended to increase student's awareness of the processes, models, and theories of interpersonal communication relative to relationships that impact people's personal and professional lives. Through self-analysis and reflection, case studies, practical application, and critical thinking, students will examine the influence of communicative behaviors on themselves, their personal relationships, groups, and society. Concepts include self-esteem, self-fulfilling prophecies, perception, ethics, emotion, conflict, cultural awareness, language, nonverbal communication, social media, and listening. Meets Goal 7. Meets MNTC Goal 1 Fall 2016 and after. Credits: 3 Prerequisites: None Corequisites: None Future Offering: Spring 2025 Summer 2025 MNTC Goals: 1,7 Course Outline: COMS1020 — PDF	3
ECYD 1110 Introduction to Early Childhood Education ECYD - 1110: Introduction to Early Childhood Education Description ECYD 1110 This course provides an overview of the early childhood profession, including theories, philosophies, research, principles, and regulations impacting work with young children and their families. This course examines the differing roles within the profession and the many influences on work with children and families. Note: This course requires a MN OHS criminal background study including fingerprints. Credits: 3 Prerequisites: None Corequisites: None Future Offering: None Course Outline: ECYD1110 — PDF	3
ECYD 1215 Child Growth and Development ECYD - 1215: Child Growth and Development Description ECYD 1215 This course examines the major developmental milestones across cultures, both typical and atypical, for children from conception through age eight in the areas of physical, social, emotional, language, cognitive and aesthetic/creative development. While studying developmental theory, investigative/observational research methods and developmentally appropriate practices, students will observe children and analyze characteristics of development at various stages. The course emphasizes interactions between maturational processes and environmental factors.To complete assignments in this class, students are required to spend approximately 10 hours per semester outside of class time observing young children in community-based early childhood programs. Note: This course requires a Minnesota Criminal Background Study including fingerprints. Credits: 3 Prerequisites: None Corequisites: None Future Offering: Spring 2025 Course Outline: ECYD1215 — PDF	3
ECYD 1225 Health, Wellness, and Nutrition ECYD - 1225: Health, Wellness, and Nutrition Description ECYD 1225 This course provides an introduction to the skills needed to establish and maintain a physically and psychologically safe and healthy learning environment for young children. Topics include preventing illness and accidents, handling emergencies, providing health, safety, and nutrition educational experiences, meeting children's basic nutritional needs, child abuse prevention, safe sleep practices, and current health-related issues. The importance of collaboration with families and allied health professionals is addressed. To complete assignments in this class, students are required to spend approximately 10 hours per semester outside of class time observing and interacting with young children in community-based early childhood programs. NOTE: This course requires a MN OHS criminal background study including fingerprints. Credits: 3 Prerequisites: None Corequisites: None Future Offering: None Course Outline: ECYD1225 — PDF	3
ENGL 1150 Composition I ENGL - 1150: Composition I Description ENGL 1150 This course emphasizes the process of writing expository and persuasive essays using effective writing skills and a variety of research techniques. Also included in the course content are critical reading and logical reasoning. Meets MnTC Goal 1. Prerequisite: placement into writing college level. Credits: 3 Prerequisites: Corequisites: None Future Offering: Spring 2025 Summer 2025 MNTC Goals: 1 Course Outline: ENGL1150 — PDF	3
Total Semester Credits:	15

First Year - Spring Semester

Course Title	Credits
ECYD 1235 Guiding Young Children ECYD - 1235: Guiding Young Children Description ECYD 1235 This course examines the positive, developmentally appropriate strategies used to guide children's behavior and support social and emotional development during early childhood. The course examines the multiple influences on child behavior as well as strategies to support self-regulation and peer relationships during early childhood. To complete assignments in this class, students are required to spend approximately 10 hours per semester outside of class time observing and interacting with young children in community-based early childhood programs. NOTE: This course requires a MN OHS criminal background study including fingerprints. Credits: 3 Prerequisites: None Corequisites: None Future Offering: Spring 2025 Course Outline: ECYD1235 — PDF	3
ECYD 1250 Learning and Creativity in Early Childhood ECYD - 1250: Learning and Creativity in Early Childhood Description ECYD 1250 This course examines the role of adults in providing environments, interactions, and activities that support learning and creativity in the early childhood years. The nature and importance of play as a vehicle for child learning is addressed as well as implementation of developmentally and culturally appropriate practices. The importance of child choice and active exploration as strategies to meet appropriate goals for learning and development are stressed. Credits: 3 Prerequisites: None Corequisites: None Future Offering: Spring 2025 Course Outline: ECYD1250 — PDF	3
ECYD 1570 Child and Family Relations in a Diverse World ECYD - 1570: Child and Family Relations in a Diverse World Description ECYD 1570 This course examines the impact of family, culture and society on young children. Students will consider strategies for emphasizing culturally and linguistically appropriate and anti-bias approaches while supporting children's care and education. Students will examine the many types of families, as well as the importance of forging effective partnerships with families and community organizations and resources. To complete assignments in this class, students are required to spend approximately 10 hours per semester outside of class time observing and interacting with young children in community-based early childhood programs. Note: This course requires a clear Minnesota Criminal Background Study including fingerprints. Credits: 3 Prerequisites: None Corequisites: None Future Offering: Spring 2025 Course Outline: ECYD1570 — PDF	3
Technical Electives * TECH - 0000: Technical Electives Description TECH 0000 Credits: Prerequisites: None Corequisites: None Future Offering: None Course Outline: TECH0000 — PDF	6
Total Semester Credits:	15

Second Year - Fall Semester

Course Title	Credits
ECYD 1335 Observation and Assessment ECYD - 1335: Observation and Assessment Description ECYD 1335 This course focuses on the appropriate use of authentic observation and assessment strategies to document children's development, growth, play and learning, to plan and individualize curriculum and teaching practices, and to join with families and professionals in promoting children's success. Students will explore recording strategies, rating systems, multiple assessment tools, and portfolios. Focus is placed on increasing objectivity in observing and interpreting children's behavior, using assessment ethically, observing developmental characteristics, and increasing the awareness of patterns of children's behavior. Prerequisite: ECYD1215 Students participating in this course should expect to devote at least 15 hours per semester of out-of-class time to observation in a community-based early childhood setting. NOTE: This course requires a MN DHS criminal background study including fingerprints. Credits: 3 Prerequisites: ECYD 1215 Child Growth and Development Corequisites: None Future Offering: None Course Outline: ECYD1335 — PDF	3
ECYD 2340 Children with Differing Abilities ECYD - 2340: Children with Differing Abilities Description ECYD 2340 This course examines the development of children with differing abilities. Students will integrate strategies that support inclusive programs for children, apply legal and ethical requirements including, but not limited to, the American Disabilities Act and Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Students will differentiate between typical and atypical development, analyze the differing abilities of children with physical, cognitive, health/medical, communication, and/or behavioral/emotional special needs and explore strategies to adapt curriculum to meet the needs of children with developmental differences and cultivate partnerships with families. This course includes an emphasis on the use of sign language with children to support communication and the development of language skills. Prerequisite: ECYD1215 To complete assignments in this class, students are required to spend approximately 15 hours per semester outside of class time observing and interacting with young children in community-based early childhood programs. Note: This course requires a Minnesota Criminal Background Study including fingerprints. Credits: 3 Prerequisites: ECYD 1215 Child Growth and Development Corequisites: None Future Offering: None Course Outline: ECYD2340 — PDF	3
General Education Credits (Any MnTC Goal Area) ‡ GENE - 0000: General Education Credits (Any MnTC Goal Area) Description GENE 0000 Credits: Prerequisites: None Corequisites: None Future Offering: None Course Outline: GENE0000 — PDF	3
General Education Credits (MnTC Goal 3) ‡ MNTC - 3: General Education Credits (MnTC Goal 3) Description MNTC 3 Credits: Prerequisites: None Corequisites: None Future Offering: None Course Outline: MNTC3 — PDF OR General Education Credits (MnTC Goal 4) ‡ MNTC - 4: General Education Credits (MnTC Goal 4) Description MNTC 4 Credits: Prerequisites: None Corequisites: None Future Offering: None Course Outline: MNTC4 — PDF	3
Technical Electives * TECH - 0000: Technical Electives Description TECH 0000 Credits: Prerequisites: None Corequisites: None Future Offering: None Course Outline: TECH0000 — PDF	3
Total Semester Credits:	15

Second Year - Spring Semester

Course Title	Credits
ECYD 1520 Practicum I ECYD - 1520: Practicum I Description ECYD 1520 This course provides students an opportunity to demonstrate the early childhood teaching competencies explored in other classes while guided by a supervising teacher in a licensed early childhood program. The competencies addressed include: developing active and developmentally appropriate environments accessible to the multiple needs of learners, positive child guidance strategies, communication skills, and development of professional skills such as communication and respectful interactions with families, colleagues, and other potential partners in the care and education of young children. PREREQUISITES: ECYD1100, ECYD1215, ECYD1225, ECYD1235, and ECYD1250 Note: This course requires a clear Minnesota Criminal Background Study. Credits: 3 Prerequisites: ECYD 1110 Introduction to Early Childhood Education ECYD 1215 Child Growth and Development ECYD 1225 Health, Wellness, and Nutrition ECYD 1235 Guiding Young Children ECYD 1250 Learning and Creativity in Early Childhood Corequisites: None Future Offering: Spring 2025 Summer 2025 Course Outline: ECYD1520 — PDF OR ECYD 2960 Field Experience ECYD - 2960: Field Experience Description ECYD 2960 Field Experience This course provides an opportunity to demonstrate competencies under guided supervision and to make connections between theory and practice. Students will develop professional behaviors through experience in professional settings. Students apply comprehensive understanding of developmentally and culturally appropriate approaches for supporting children and families in a variety of settings, including medical sites. To complete this class students are required to spend 120 hours per semester (approximately 10-15 hours per week) observing and interacting with children and families in approved community-based programs. Prerequisites: Instructor permission is required for this course. Note: This course requires a clear Minnesota Criminal Background Study. Credits: 3 Prerequisites: None Corequisites: None Future Offering: Spring 2025 Summer 2025 Course Outline: ECYD2960 — PDF	3
ECYD 2550 Language and Literacy Development ECYD - 2550: Language and Literacy Development Description ECYD 2550 This course is an introduction to children's language and literacy development from birth to age eight. Students will obtain skills in creating developmentally appropriate learning experiences that support both oral language and emerging literacy skills amount children at all developmental levels. Students will be exposed to a wide range of instructional practices, approaches, methods, and curriculum materials to support children's language and literacy development. To complete assignments in this class, students are required to spend approximately 10 hours per semester outside of class time observing and interacting with young children in community-based early childhood programs. Prerequisites: ECYD 1215 Note: This course requires a clear Minnesota Criminal Background Study. Credits: 3 Prerequisites: ECYD 1215 Child Growth and Development Corequisites: None Future Offering: Spring 2025 Course Outline: ECYD2550 — PDF	3
General Education Credits (Any MnTC Goal Area) ‡ GENE - 0000: General Education Credits (Any MnTC Goal Area) Description GENE 0000 Credits: Prerequisites: None Corequisites: None Future Offering: None Course Outline: GENE0000 — PDF	3
Technical Electives * TECH - 0000: Technical Electives Description TECH 0000 Credits: Prerequisites: None Corequisites: None Future Offering: None Course Outline: TECH0000 — PDF	6
Total Semester Credits:	15

Total Credits:	60

* Select Technical electives from the following subject areas: ( ECYD , BUSN ).

‡ Select General Education electives from specified MnTC goal area or from any MnTC goals if none specified.

Speak with ECYD program advisor for recommended electives.

Students must earn a grade of 'C-' or better for all required ECYD courses and ECYD technical electives.