Course Code: CSU-E-TCHR

Course Duration: 6 months

Contact Hours: 375

Tuition: $3,999.00

This program introduces the historical, theoretical and developmental foundations for educating young children and designing and implementing developmentally appropriate curriculum in order to provide the primary teacher with the most help possible. This particular program focuses on development of children from birth through age 8, the roles, responsibilities and requirements of individuals working in early childhood classrooms as well as curriculum development so that Teacher’s Aides can assist the teachers most effectively while also helping to cultivate a creative, caring and nurturing environment for young children. This program will introduce early childhood education with a focus on developmental expectations and challenges of young children, supervising and caring for young children, as well as strategies and tools for educating young children by developing thoughtful, engaging and exciting lesson plans that will lay the foundation for their education for years to come.

Education and National Certifications

  • Students should have or be pursuing a high school diploma or GED.
  • National Certification exam that is available to students who successfully complete this program:
    • ETS ParaPro Assessment Certification Exam

Program Objectives

At the conclusion of this program, students will be able to:

  • Analyze the roles, responsibilities, and requirements for those who work in early childhood education (ECE) settings and the evolution of the field of ECE
  • Analyze current issues in ECE that have implications for children, families, and society
  • Describe the age-related developmental accomplishments of young children from birth through age 8 in each of the developmental domains
  • Analyze programs that support individual differences, culturally responsive, and inclusive
  • Analyze ECE standards as related to preparing developmentally appropriate activities
  • Analyze practices that ensure the health, safety, and well-being of all children
  • Compare strategies to develop emotional self-regulation and avoid challenging behaviors
  • Describe strategies that foster childcare worker and family partnerships
  • Describe the role of assessment/documentation to inform curriculum development
  • Evaluate the attributes of professionalism in ECE including advocacy, and social justice
  • Analyze how a learning experience reflects a developmentally appropriate practice
  • Explain how curriculum is affected by theories, models, government programs, and standards
  • Create a plan to establish reciprocal relationships with families
  • Plan developmentally appropriate learning environments and experiences for young children
  • Compare different teaching techniques in relationship to children's development and learning
  • Compare various forms of assessment for planning, documenting, communicating, and reflecting
  • Design a developmentally appropriate math, science, technology, literacy, social studies, physical education, creative arts, or other integrated learning experiences

National Certification

Students who complete the Columbia Southern University Teacher's Aide program will be prepared to sit for the ETS ParaPro Assessment Certification Exam national certification exam(s). In order to work as a Teacher's Aide, many states nationwide are requiring that learners achieve national certification prior to working in that state. Students who complete this program are encouraged to complete the practical/clinical externship option with their program. This comprehensive program is designed to prepare students to sit for ETS ParaPro Assessment Certification Exam exam(s). Students who complete this program can and do sit for the ETS ParaPro Assessment Certification Exam national certification exam(s) and are qualified, eligible and prepared to do so.

Externship / Hands on Training / Practicum

Although not a requirement, once students complete the program, they have the ability to participate in an externship and/or hands on practicum so as to practice the skills necessary to perform the job requirements of a professional in this field. Students will be assisted with completing a resume and/or other requirements necessary to work in this field. All students who complete this program are eligible to participate in an externship and will be placed with a participating organization near their location. The institution works with national organizations and has the ability to place students in externship opportunities nationwide.