Early Childhood
Have an impact in a child’s life and development, or become an early learning center director and your own boss, with the Gwinnett Tech Early Childhood Care and Education program!
Gwinnett Tech’s Early Childhood Care and Education program provides a unique combination of theory and practical application sure to make graduates a welcomed addition to any early childhood environment.
About
Learning opportunities in the program develop academic, technical, and professional knowledge and skills required for job acquisition, retention, and advancement. The program emphasizes a combination of early childhood care and education theory and practical application necessary for successful employment.
The Early Childhood Care and Education program at Gwinnett Technical College is accredited by the Commission on the Accreditation of Early Childhood Higher Education Programs of the National Association for the Education of Young Children.
The current accreditation term runs from July 2016 through July 2023.
Early Childhood Care Education, AAS (EC13)
(#1) Number of Program Completers
| Academic Year | Number of Program Completers | % of program completers who were attending full-time (at time of completion) | % of program completers who were attending part-time (at time of completion) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 13 | 54% | 46% |
| 2020 | 32 | 59% | 38% |
| 2019 | 22 | 68% | 32% |
| 2018 | 28 | 43% | 57% |
| 2017 | 31 | 77% | 23% |
| 2016 | 31 | 71% | 29% |
Sources: Awards Conferred by Program KMS TEC0109, Credit Hours by Program KMS TEC0136
(#2) Program Completion Rate
| Academic year in which a Fall cohort of full-time students enrolled at the institution (select three sequential years) | Percentage of those students who completed the program within 100% of the published timeframe | Percentage of those students who completed the program within 150% of the published timeframe | Percentage of those students who completed the program within 200% of the published timeframe |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 13% | 23% | 25% |
| 2016 | 9% | 3% | 17% |
| 2015 | 13% | 13% | 16% |
| 2014 | 13% | 21% | 25% |
| 2013 | 11% | 11% | 11% |
| 2012 | 0% | 0% | 5% |
Sources: Awards Conferred by Program KMS TEC0109, All Credit Enrollment Students by Home Campus KMS TEC0126
(#3-B) Employment in Field or Further Education
| Academic year | Number of Graduates | Number of Graduates (and % of total) who are employed in the early childhood profession within one year of graduation | Number of Graduates (and % of total) who are pursuing further education in the early childhood profession within one year of graduation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 32 | 18 (56%) | 2 (6%) |
| 2019 | 22 | 5 (23%) | 8 (36%) |
| 2018 | 28 | 10 (36%) | 2 (7%) |
| 2017 | 31 | 20 (65%) | 0 |
| 2016 | 31 | 19 (61%) | 2 (6%) |
| 2015 | 27 | 12 (44%) | 4 (15%) |
Sources: Awards Conferred by Program KMS TEC0109
What are my program options?
- Early Childhood Care and Education, AAS
- Early Childhood Care and Education, Diploma
- Child Development Specialist, Certificate
- Early Childhood Care and Education Basics, Certificate
- Early Childhood Exceptionalities, Certificate
- Early Childhood Program Administration, Certificate
- Infant/Toddler Child Care Specialist, Certificate
More Info…
Take the first step towards a career in Early Childhood and apply for next semester! Important dates and deadlines are listed to get you started and if you’re looking for ways to pay for your education, explore our scholarships for this program. You can also learn about our faculty and clubs and organizations to join!
Our Early Childhood advisory board will provide you with relevant industry-specific curriculum for today’s high-demand careers.
Can I work while I learn?
Class schedules are designed to encourage student employment in the early childhood education industry while taking classes. Part of your coursework will also include a practicum at the D. Scott Hudgens Jr. Early Learning Center or a Bright Horizons Early Learning Center (if you are a student at the Alpharetta-North Fulton Campus).
What career options will I have?
- Early learning center director or assistant director
- Lead teacher or assistant teacher in an early learning center and/or head start classroom
- Paraprofessional in a public school setting
What can I expect from the Early Childhood program?
The Early Childhood Care and Education degree is a sequence of courses designed to prepare students for careers in early childhood care and education and related fields. This hands-on program immerses students in the field in which they strive to work, through field experience
with a 75-hour practicum at the D. Scott Hudgens Jr Early Learning Center (or Bright Horizons Early Learning Center for Alpharetta-North Fulton students) and a 12-credit hour internship in a local school system kindergarten or first grade classroom (degree students only).
How much will it cost?
Gwinnett Tech offers affordability at $100 per credit hour + fees. Great opportunities for scholarships and financial aid with HOPE Grant, HOPE scholarship, HOPE Career Grants and more!