Aug 20, 2025  
2025-2026 Catalog 
  
2025-2026 Catalog

Early Care and Education - Inclusive Care, AAS (AAS.EARLCE.INCL)


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Associate in Applied Science in Early Care and Education

Inclusive Care Career Pathway

66 Credit Hours

The Early Care and Education degree has three pathways with shared general education and core requirements. Students can only complete one pathway for this degree.

The Inclusive Care pathway prepares students to work with children from birth to two years of age and children with special needs. Topics include growth and development, curriculum issues, guidance, exceptionalities and early intervention, creative experiences, safety, health and nutrition, and socialization. This career path does not lead to teacher certification for public school teachers.

Related Certificate

The following certificate can be used to fulfill the requirements of this associate degree. Your faculty advisor or success coach can help to tailor your plan.

Early Childhood Development Certificate (CAS.EARLCD)   

Accreditation

National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Commission on the Accreditation of Early Childhood Higher Education Programs.
1401 H Street NW, Suite 600
Washington, DC 20005-4101
800.424.2460

Part A - General Education Requirements


General education courses are the same for all AAS, Early Care and Education pathways.

Total: 15


Part B - Core Requirements


Core courses are the same for all AAS, Early Care and Education pathways.

Total: 15


Total: 36


Admission Requirements


Admission into this program requires proof of high school graduation (or GED) and qualifying scores on SAT, ACT or the TTC placement test.

Note: The Early Care and Education associate degree also requires the following additional requirements as prerequisites to labs in licensed child care centers and/or public schools: a health assessment denoting good heath, a negative tuberculosis skin test, compliance with technical standards and a clear criminal background check by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED). In addition to SLED background checks, some child development centers and schools may require fingerprinting. Students entering these laboratory and off-campus observation courses may opt to be fingerprinted. Fingerprinting and a SLED background check are required for the Early Care and Education workforce.

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