Mar 28, 2024  
Spring 2023 Academic Catalog 
    
Spring 2023 Academic Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Occupational Development -Early Childhood Practitioner, A.A.S.


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Lori Barrett, Early Childhood Education Program Coordinator
Laboratory Preschool Director
Caperton Center 216 / (304)367-4848
Lori.Barrett@pierpont.edu

Program Purpose

The Occupational Development, Early Childhood Practitioner Associate of Applied Science Degree is designed for apprentices and journeypersons of the U.S. Department of Labor Apprenticeship for Child Development Specialist (ACDS) Program. This degree program builds on the educational component and the on-the-job-training hours completed during the apprenticeship. Upon completion of the required general studies courses, required Early Childhood courses, and payment of the evaluation fee, a student may earn 28 college credit hours for the apprenticeship training. 

Apprenticeship is required. Individuals who have completed a Child Development Associate (CDA) under the auspices of an agency or organization with expertise in early childhood teacher preparation are also eligible to complete the Occupational Development Degree.

Required Early Childhood courses include the study of the growth and development of young children as well as the planning, preparation and implementation of appropriate curriculum and environments for early childhood programs.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the AAS degree in Occupational Development, Early Childhood Practitioner, graduates will be able to do the following:

  • Plan, prepare, and implement appropriate curriculum for a quality early childhood program based on a knowledge of child development and appropriate practices
  • Plan classroom learning environments that are developmentally appropriate
  • Demonstrate appropriate communication skills, teaching methods and professional conduct while working with young children
  • Document that all West Virginia Child Care Licensing regulations for center employees are met
  • Demonstrate ability to implement West Virginia Early Learning Standards while working with young children

Opportunities

Graduates with the Occupational Development, Early Childhood Practitioner AAS Degree are qualified to teach in child care centers, Head Start programs, private nursery schools, and private preschools, or to serve as a Nanny. Graduates meet state requirements to be the director of a Type I, II or III child care center in the state of West Virginia. Other employment opportunities include positions in public and private organizations providing services for children.

Pierpont C&TC has an articulation agreement that allows graduates with the Occupational Development, Early Childhood Practitioner AAS Degree to apply 51 of the required 64 credit hours towards a Birth through Four teaching certification degree at West Virginia University. Of the 28 credit hours received for ACDS or CDA completions, 15 hours of credit articulates to WVU.

Occupational Development, Early Childhood (64 Hrs)


General Studies Component I (21 Hrs)


Technical Studies Courses (15 Hrs)


Technical Core Component II (18 Hrs)


Component II consists of courses developed and delivered by the Apprenticeship for Child Development Specialist (ACDS) Program offered through, and approved by, the United States Department of Labor, or approved courses included in the Child Development Associate (CDA) education and training program under the auspices of an agency or organization with expertise in early childhood teacher preparation. The courses will be converted to college credit hours at the usual ratio of 15:1 for lecture and at 30:1 for the laboratory hours/credit ratio of Pierpont Community & Technical College to a maximum of 18 credit hours. This credit will be recorded immediately prior to graduation from the college following the completion of all degree requirements, a positive completed evaluation by Pierpont Community & Technical College and the payment of the Evaluation Fee.

Occupational On-the-Job Training Hours Component III -OR- Supervised Work Based Learning (10 Hrs)


This component consists of paid or unpaid on-the-job training provided as a component of the Apprenticeship for Child Development Specialist (ACDS) Program or Child Development Associate (CDA) Program. The on-the-job training component is to be converted to credit hours at a ratio of 200:1 to a maximum of 10 credit hours. This credit will be recorded immediately prior to graduation following the completion of all degree requirements, a positive completed evaluation by Pierpont Community & Technical College and the payment of the Evaluation Fee.

Documentation of Completion: for Component II and Component III is made to the Early Childhood Program Coordinator by submitting a copy of the U.S. Department of Labor Apprenticeship for Child Development Specialist Certificate and a letter of completion from the U.S. Department of Labor or a copy of the Child Development Associate Certificate and a letter of completion from the organization or agency providing the training.

Residency Requirement: 15 credits of the student’s last course work in Components I and II must be completed at Pierpont Community & Technical College.

Evaluation Fee: An Evaluation Fee of one hundred-fifty dollars ($150.00) is required following the completion of all courses. The evaluation includes determination that all academic course work has been successfully completed and verification of Components II and III. When the evaluation is completed and all requirements have been met, then credits for Components II and III will be granted. The evaluation fee is paid at the time application for graduation is made.

WVU Articulation Credit: Graduates participating in the articulation agreement with the West Virginia University, Birth to Pre-K Teaching Certification Program may receive up to 15 hours of articulation credit for Components III and IV: EC 1105 , EC 1106 EC 1130 EC 2232 , and EC 2995 .

Notice to All Students


  • Annual Notification: All career and technical education courses and programs are offered at Pierpont regardless of race, color, national origin, gender, or disability.
  • Advanced Skill Set and Skill Set programs do not qualify for financial aid. Students seeking financial aid eligible degrees may incorporate the classes as electives when their schedule allows or may declare an associate or certificate degree in which the skill set and advanced skill set courses are embedded.
  • Students are reminded to review campus policies and procedures as stated in the catalog.

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