Early childhood education
The college offers an associate of science degree as well as a one-year certificate program in early childhood education.
The 69-to-70-credit-hour associate degree program is for those who are currently employed or want to work within the field of early childhood care and education. The program has four areas of specialization: administration, care and education of young children with special needs, infant/toddler care and education, and school-age programs. The capstone or final courses of the degree include a student teaching and seminar course. You'll conduct your student teaching at both JCCC's Hiersteiner Child Development Center on campus and at local Head Start programs in Olathe.
The 33-credit-hour certificate program is intended for current early childhood care and education teachers and administrators who want to upgrade skills and increase their knowledge as well as for individuals who are new to the field.
The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Commission has awarded accreditation to JCCC's AS degree program for seven years.
For more information, contact Asiya Foster-Nelson, program chair, at 913-469-8500, ext. 4557, or afostern@jccc.edu.