Suggested Sequence of Study
The following suggested sequence of study is for new full-time students starting the program Fall 2024 or Spring 2025.
When you’re ready to register for classes, visit Self-Service, Student Planning. This will show you your specific program requirements and how you’re doing so far.
Please note that course offerings and costs can change. See what’s included in the cost calculation.
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- Course has a prerequisite and/or corequisite

Course Descriptions: Show All | Hide All
Semester 1
Course |
Note |
Credits |
Cost |
ECE-103 |
Introduction to Early Childhood Education
Gives students a historical and philosophical foundation of the field of early childhood education. Includes an overview of assessment and trends that influence best practices. Explores careers in the field. Addresses influences of families and diversity.
Lecture Hours: 48
|
|
3 |
$716.00 |
ECE-158 |
Early Childhood Curriculum I
Focuses on the development, implementation and assessment of appropriate environments and curricula for young children ages three through eight. Students prepare to utilize developmentally appropriate practices in a context of family and culturally sensitive care. Emphasis is on understanding children's development stages and developing appropriate learning opportunities, interactions and environments in the following areas: dramatic play, art, music, fine and gross motor play.
Lecture Hours: 48
|
|
3 |
$683.00 |
ECE-170 |
Child Growth and Development
Reviews typical and atypical development of children from conception to adolescence in all developmental domains. Presents interactions between child, family and society within a variety of community and cultural contexts. Examines theories associated with our understanding of children.
Lecture Hours: 48
|
Offered Online |
3 |
$675.00 |
ECE-221 |
Infant/Toddler Care and Education
Focuses on care, education, and assessment of children from birth to thirty-six months. Prepares students to utilize developmentally appropriate practices including responsive caregiving, routines as curriculum, importance of relationships with diverse families, and a focus on the whole child in inclusive settings.
Lecture Hours: 48
|
|
3 |
$675.00 |
ENG-105 |
Composition I
Composition I emphasizes fluency, thesis-driven organization, the use of supporting details, and research techniques. Writing is approached as a recursive process that includes prewriting strategies, drafting, revising, and editing. The course helps students shape writing to serve readers' needs and define a sense of purpose in their writing. It also gives students strategies for reading college-level material.
Lecture Hours: 48
Prerequisite(s): Appropriate placement score or equivalent.
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|
3 |
$675.00 |
or COM-781 |
Written Communication in the Workplace
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|
3 |
$675.00 |
Total Credits: 15
Total Tuition + Course Fees: $3,424.00
Semester 2
- Before you can be placed in Field Experience courses, you must pass a DHS Criminal History Record Check and an FBI Fingerprint Check.
Course |
Note |
Credits |
Cost |
ECE-133 |
Child Health, Safety, and Nutrition
Focuses on current concepts in the fields of health, safety and nutrition and their relationship to the growth and development of the young child ages birth to eight. Blends current theory with practical applications and assessments. Includes the influences of families and diversity on health, safety, and nutrition in early childhood settings.
Lecture Hours: 48
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|
3 |
$774.00 |
ECE-159 |
Early Childhood Curriculum II
Focuses on the development, implementation and assessment of appropriate environments and curricula for young children ages three through eight. Students prepare to utilize developmentally appropriate practices in a context of family and culturally sensitive care. Emphasis is on understanding children's development stages and developing appropriate learning opportunities, interactions and environments in the following areas: emergent literacy, math, science, technology and social studies.
Lecture Hours: 48
|
|
3 |
$675.00 |
ECE-243 |
Early Childhood Guidance
Focuses on effective approaches and positive guidance strategies for supporting the development of all children. Emphasizes supportive interactions and developmentally appropriate environments. Uses assessment to analyze and guide behaviors. Studies impact of families and diversity on child guidance.
Lecture Hours: 48
|
|
3 |
$675.00 |
ECE-274 |
Field Experience I
Supervised experience in selected early childhood settings serving children ages birth through eight. Includes integration of theory, research, and reflective practice. Provides an understanding of developmentally appropriate practices and the developmental stages of diverse populations of young children and families. Emphasizes professional relationships and behavior, appropriate adult/child interactions, basic curriculum planning, and program routines.
Co-op Hours: 128
Prerequisite(s): ECE-221
Co-requisite(s): ECE-994
Pre/Co-requisite(s): ECE-158, ECE-159, ECE-170, and ECE-243
|
You'll spend 8 hours per week in a variety of classrooms for 16 weeks. |
2 |
$475.00 |
ECE-944 |
Field Experience Seminar I
Field Experience Seminar 1 provides support for the systemic refinement of skills necessary for a successful experience in the field. Professional relationships and behaviors, appropriate adult/child interactions, curriculum planning, and experiences in the field will be emphasized.
Lecture Hours: 16
|
Offered Online |
1 |
$225.00 |
MAT-772 |
Applied Math
This course is designed to present basic facts of arithmetic including whole numbers, fractions, decimals, powers, roots, English and metric measurement, ratio-proportion, percents, introduction to algebra, introduction to geometry, and applied statistics. Instruction includes use of scientific hand-held calculators and emphasis placed on critical thinking, problem solving skills.
Lecture Hours: 48
Prerequisite(s): Assessment score required.
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|
3 |
$675.00 |
Total Credits: 15
Total Tuition + Course Fees: $3,499.00
Semester 3
Course |
Note |
Credits |
Cost |
ECE-125 |
School Age Care
This course focuses on the unique care necessary for school-age children. Criteria for organizing a positive physical environment coupled with state licensing regulations, center policies, and interactions with families are examined. Students will look at the needs of school-age children and explore methods of addressing these needs in a group care setting.
Lecture Hours: 32
|
Offered Online |
2 |
$450.00 |
ECE-260 |
Current Topics and Issues in Child Care
National, state and local topics and issues impacting childcare are examined.
Lecture Hours: 32
|
Offered Online |
2 |
$450.00 |
ECE-284 |
Field Experience II
The field experience provides on-the-job training, practical application of knowledge gained in the classroom, documenting observations of children, and an opportunity to participate with a child care team involved with children ages 3 through 5.
Co-op Hours: 128
Prerequisite(s): Minimum grade of D in ECE-274 and ECE-944.
Co-requisite(s): ECE-945
|
You'll spend 8 hours per week in a preschool classroom for 16 weeks. |
2 |
$450.00 |
ECE-298 |
Career Strategies for Early Childhood
Career Strategies for Early Childhood prepares students for becoming an employee and employer in child care settings. It includes the strategies involved in seeking and securing a position in child care, along with recruiting and employing a child care worker. Included for the job seeker will be an introduction to the job search process, including resume writing, developing cover letters and the interview process. Included for the employer will be recruitment procedures, laws governing the hiring of child care employees, screening of applicants and conducting and evaluating interviews.
Lecture Hours: 32
|
Offered Online |
2 |
$450.00 |
ECE-299 |
Early Childhood Professional Portfolio
Develop professional portfolio for Early Childhood, including artifact collections, resume, and teaching philosophy.
Lecture Hours: 16
|
Offered Online |
1 |
$225.00 |
ECE-945 |
Field Experience Seminar II
Field Experience II Seminar provides support for the systematic refinement of the skills necessary for a successful Field Experience II experience through receiving feedback on assignments and engaging in discussions of relevant topics with instructors and peers.
Lecture Hours: 16
Co-requisite(s): ECE-284.
|
Offered Online |
1 |
$225.00 |
EDU-130 |
Home, School, and Community Relations
Focuses on the importance of collaborative efforts of the school, home, and community to the promotion of the children's healthy development. Research relating to parental involvement, impact of inclusion, and factors which place families at risk are examined. Explores attitudes, philosophies, and practical techniques with emphasis on building respectful, culturally sensitive relationships with families, utilizing community resources and working with diverse families.
Lecture Hours: 48
|
Offered Online |
3 |
$675.00 |
PSY-102 |
Human and Work Relations
Human Relations is the study of self and social behavior. Emphasis is placed on the understanding and application of social science theories and research for the development of effective interpersonal and organizational relationships.
Lecture Hours: 48
|
|
3 |
$675.00 |
or PSY-111 |
Introduction to Psychology
This course provides an introduction to the study of behavior and mental processes with emphasis in such areas as learning, cognition, motivation, personality, behavioral disorder, therapy, and social influence. An understanding of the impact of both theoretical perspectives and experimental evidence on the formulation of the science of human behavior is also stressed. Psychological theories and principles are utilized to explain and predict behavior.
Lecture Hours: 48
|
|
3 |
$675.00 |
or SOC-110 |
Introduction to Sociology
This course surveys the basic principles, concepts, and research findings of social life from small groups to societies. The course examines a range of sociological explanations for the various forms of social behaviors and establishes a basis for reflection and further study in the field.
Lecture Hours: 48
|
|
3 |
$675.00 |
Total Credits: 16
Total Tuition + Course Fees: $3,600.00
Semester 4
Course |
Note |
Credits |
Cost |
ECE-250 |
Advanced Curriculum Planning
This course acquaints students with center environment planning and evaluation. It addresses the role of the teacher as well as program evaluation for early childhood centers. Students also look at community resources for expanding the center environment.
Lecture Hours: 48
Prerequisite(s): EDE-158 and ECE-159
|
Offered Online |
3 |
$675.00 |
ECE-290 |
Early Childhood Program Administration
Skills in planning, implementing, and evaluating programming are introduced. Staff supervision and evaluation, in-service training and orientation, and harmonious working relationships, are other topics included in this course.
Lecture Hours: 48
Prerequisite(s): ECE-158 and ECE-159
|
Offered Online |
3 |
$675.00 |
EDU-235 |
Children's Literature
The course is designed to present the dynamics of children's literature. It promotes the selection and evaluation of literature for children as well as how to engage young readers in a variety of literary genres. The course will emphasize literature as a key element of the reading curriculum, grades Preschool-8 and beyond. The course will be relevant to those interested in education and literacy.
Lecture Hours: 48
|
Offered Online |
3 |
$675.00 |
EDU-246 |
Including Diverse Learners
Students are introduced to the issues and practices regarding the inclusion of diverse student populations in general education settings. The needs of all students including general education, special education, and gifted will be emphasized. Strategies for adapting curriculum and the classroom will be examined. Support services that are available to teachers and students will be explored.
Lecture Hours: 48
|
Offered Online |
3 |
$675.00 |
SPC-101 |
Fundamentals of Oral Communication
This course introduces students to the oral communication process and how it affects human interaction There will be an emphasis on developing interpersonal, small group, and public speaking skills. Students will be involved in activities that provide opportunity for the understanding and improvement of their oral communication skills.
Lecture Hours: 48
|
|
3 |
$675.00 |
or SPC-112 |
Public Speaking
This course studies the fundamentals of public speaking, emphasizing the process of speech preparation and delivery in various contexts.
Lecture Hours: 48
|
|
3 |
$675.00 |
Total Credits: 15
Total Tuition + Course Fees: $3,375.00
Math Electives
Course |
Note |
Credits |
Cost |
MAT-110 |
Math for Liberal Arts
This is a one semester, liberal arts mathematics course that satisfies the minimum general education requirement for math. The course is designed to impart math skills which are helpful in everyday life as well as to expose students to areas of mathematics they may not have seen before. Topics include problem-solving skills, set theory, algebra, consumer mathematics, probability, and statistics. Other topics may be included.
Lecture Hours: 48
Prerequisite(s): Minimum grade of D- in MAT-060 or MAT-063. Or equivalent placement score.
|
|
3 |
$675.00 |
MAT-112 |
Math for Elementary Teachers I
Math for Elementary Teachers I is the first of two mathematics courses for students who want to pursue a major in elementary education or early childhood teacher licensure. This course will use a variety of problem-solving skills while exploring many aspects of the real number system. Algebraic and concrete mathematical models will be incorporated in strategies used to solve problems.
Lecture Hours: 48
Prerequisite(s): Minimum grade of C- in MAT-060 or MAT-063. Or equivalent placement score.
|
|
3 |
$675.00 |
MAT-121 |
College Algebra
This course provides an intensified study of algebraic techniques and prepares students for future study in mathematics. The central theme is the concept of functions, their properties, graphs and applications. Functions studied include polynomial, rational, exponential, and logarithmic.
Lecture Hours: 64
Prerequisite(s): Minimum grade of C- in MAT-102. Or equivalent placement score.
|
|
4 |
$900.00 |
MAT-128 |
Precalculus
This one-semester pre-calculus course is intended for the student with a solid algebra background who intends to take calculus. It is also beneficial (but not required) for the student to have a background in trigonometry. The course will emphasize functions using an analytical, numerical, and graphical approach. The student will study linear, polynomial, rational, exponential, logarithmic and trigonometric functions along with their applications.
Lecture Hours: 64
Prerequisite(s): Appropriate Placement Test Scores: ACT Math Score of 25 OR Compass Score of 51-100 in the College Algebra Domain or 31-50 in the Trigonometry Domain.
|
|
4 |
$900.00 |
MAT-134 |
Trigonometry and Analytic Geometry
The second course of a two-semester pre-calculus sequence. Topics include trigonometry and applications, vectors, analytic geometry, and polar and parametric equations.
Lecture Hours: 48
Prerequisite(s): Minimum grade of C- in MAT-121. Or equivalent placement score.
|
|
3 |
$675.00 |
MAT-156 |
Statistics
This course is a study of descriptive statistics including graphical representation, central tendency, correlation and regression, intuitive treatment of probability and inferential statistics including hypothesis testing.
Lecture Hours: 48
Prerequisite(s): Minimum grade of C- in MAT-060 or MAT-063. Or equivalent placement score.
|
|
3 |
$675.00 |
MAT-210 |
Calculus I
The first in a calculus sequence, this course covers topics including functions and their graphs, limits, derivatives, applications of the derivative, and integrals.
Lecture Hours: 64
Prerequisite(s): Minimum grade of C- in MAT-128 or MAT-134. Or appropriate placement scores: ACT 27; COMPASS TRIGONOMETRY 51-100.
|
|
4 |
$900.00 |
Cost Calculations
The cost calculations are based on 2024–2025 resident tuition, fees, and any additional course fees. These are for informational purposes only and not a guarantee of what you'll be charged.
- Course Cost: The course cost is calculated by multiplying resident tuition and fees per credit hour by the number of credits for the course, then adding any applicable course fees.
- Total Tuition + Course Fees: This is the total tuition and course fees for all courses during the semester. If there are multiple courses that can fulfill the same requirement, we’ll use the first one listed for the calculation.
Additional Costs to Consider
When budgeting for your program, be sure to include the cost of books.
Keep in mind that some programs may have additional expenses, like tools, equipment, supplies, uniforms, exam fees, and background checks. Check with your faculty advisor for more details.