Early Childhood Education - Diploma

33 Credits    DIP3522/DIP2517,  Academic Catalog 2026-2027

The Early Childhood Education Diploma is designed to prepare individuals for work in a child care center or preschool as an assistant or early childhood teacher or in a family child care program. 聽Students will learn about child growth and development, positive guidance, health and safety, cultural sensitivity, learning environments, and best practices for promoting learning for young children.

Campuses: Faribault and North Mankato
Program Start Semester: Fall

The course requirements listed below are specific to the current school year (noted above). If you need to view the program from previous years view our Catalog Archive.

Required Technical Courses (9 Courses)

Complete the following courses:

ECE1205   Introduction to Early Childhood Education (3 credits)

This course provides an overview of the early childhood field, including theories, philosophies, missions, and regulations. It examines the roles and responsibilities of professionals in a variety of career settings. (Prerequisite: None)

ECE1210   Child Growth and Development (3 credits)

This course is the first in a series of courses that is required for a degree in Early Childhood Education and Family Services. This course encompasses multiple, interrelated areas of children's development - including both typical and atypical, for children from conception through age eight in the areas of physical, social, emotional, language, cognitive and aesthetic/creative development and is supported by coherent theoretical perspectives and by current research. The course emphasizes variations across cultures and interactions between maturational processes and environmental factors. (Prerequisite: None)

ECE1220   Health, Wellness & Nutrition (3 credits)

This course will guide the student in obtaining 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 and, current health-related issues. This course does NOT include CPR or first aid certification. (Prerequisites: None)

ECE1230   Behavior Guidance (3 credits)

This course encompasses multiple, interrelated areas of positive child guidance techniques for individual and group situations - including problem prevention and positive guidance strategies, communication, setting limits, problem solving and behavior modification and is supported by coherent theoretical perspectives and by current research. This course emphasizes ways to establish supportive relationships with children and guide them in order to enhance learning, development, and well-being. (Prerequisite: None)

ECE1240   Diverse Children and Family Relations (3 credits)

This course examines how to work with many types of families. Investigates the importance of the family/school partnership, study methods of effectively communicating with families, and identify community organizations and networks that support families. Various classroom strategies will be explored emphasizing culturally and linguistically appropriate anti-bias approaches supporting all children in becoming competent members of a diverse society. (Prerequisites: None)

ECE1270   Creative Activities and Environments (3 credits)

The student will gain knowledge and skills related to providing age-appropriate learning experiences and learning environments for young children. The student will examine the role of the teacher in providing learning experiences to meet each child's needs, capabilities, and interest, and ways to implement the principles of developmentally appropriate practices. The student will practice language and literacy, social, emotional and sensory learning, art and creativity, and math and science learning experiences. (Prerequisite: None)

ECE1311   Infant-Toddler Development and Mental Health (3 credits)

This course provides an overview of infant-toddler theory and development whether in home or center-based settings. Students will gain knowledge of developmental needs, developmentally appropriate environments, effective caregiving, teaching strategies, and observation methods. (Prerequisite: ECE 1210)

ECE2580   Observation and Assessment (3 credits)

This course focuses on the appropriate use of observation and assessment strategies to document children's development, growth, play and learning, and to join with families and professionals in promoting children's success. The students will explore recording strategies, rating systems, multiple assessment tools, and portfolios. There will be a focus on increasing objectivity in observing and interpreting children's behavior, observing development characteristics, and increasing the awareness of normal patterns of behavior. (Prerequisites: ECE 1210 and ECE 1230.)

ECE2590   Introduction to Children

This course provides a deeper look at social-emotional learning experiences and the long-term effects of positive experiences. Students integrate knowledge of healthy child development, developmentally appropriate learning environments and trauma-informed teaching methods to promote positive emotional development, social development, self-concept, self-esteem, social skills, diversity awareness, resiliency, and attachment. (Prerequisite: ECE 1210 and ECE 1230)

 

Required Arts and Sciences (6 Credits)

Students must complete 6 MnTC credits from courses in MnTC goal areas 1-10. Courses must be selected consultation with advisor/faculty.

 

PLEASE NOTE: All program plans are preliminary and curriculum may change without notice. Your catalog of record may have different requirements.