Learn about children's growth from birth through age five.
What Is Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education?
The Early Childhood program helps students gain or improve their skills as Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Educators (IECE). Students who complete an Associate in Applied Science degree in IECE can work as lead teachers in federally funded Head Start programs. Graduates can also transfer to public or private universities to complete the IECE Certification program. With this certification, they can teach in public schools, preschools, and kindergarten classes or work as a Developmental Interventionist for Kentucky’s First Steps program.
The program teaches students about early childhood education theories and how to apply them in real-world settings. Students learn developmentally appropriate practices and gain a better understanding of the whole child. IECE graduates are also qualified to start their own early childhood education programs. All courses are available online in 8-week terms, with SCC’s faculty providing instruction that challenges students and helps them grow their skills.
Getting Started
What are my degree, diploma, and certificate options?
| Class | Credits |
|---|---|
| ENG 101 - Writing 1 | 3 |
| COM 181 - Basic Public Speaking OR COM 252 - Introduction to Interpersonal Communications | 3 |
| MAT - Quantitative Reasoning Course | 3 |
| IEC 101 - Orientation to Early Childhood Education*/** | 3 |
| IEC 102 - Foundations of Early Childhood Education*/** | 3 |
Total Credits: 15
| Class | Credits |
|---|---|
| ENG 102 - Writing II | 3 |
| PSY 110 - General Psychology | 3 |
| Digital Literacy Course (CIT 105, if transferring) | 0-3 |
| IEC 130 - Child Development** | 3 |
| IEC 180 - Approaches to Early Childhood Education Curriculum** | 3 |
Total Credits: 12-15
| Class | Credits |
|---|---|
| Heritage or Humanities Course | 3 |
| IEC 170 - Observation & Assessment* | 3 |
| IEC 200 - Child Guidance** | 3 |
| IEC 216 - Literacy and Language in IEC* | 3 |
| IEC 246 - Sciences and Mathematics for IEC* | 3 |
| IEC - Approved Technical Course | 3 |
Total Credits: 15
| Class | Credits |
|---|---|
| Natural Science Course | 3 |
| IEC 221 - Creative Expressions in IEC** | 3 |
| IEC 235 - Introduction to Inclusive Education* | 3 |
| IEC - Approved Technical Course II | 3 |
| IEC 291 - IECE Practicum/Cooperative Education** | 3-4 |
Total Credits: 15-16
* Fall semester course.
** Spring semester course.
Approved Technical Electives: IEC 230, IEC 240, IEC 260
Total Credits for Degree: 60-64
| Class | Credits |
|---|---|
| IEC 101 - Orientation to Early Childhood Education | 3 |
| IEC 102 - Foundations of Early Childhood Education | 3 |
| IEC 130 - Early Childhood Development | 3 |
| IEC 180 - **Approaches to Curriculum | 3 |
| *Digital Literacy: EDU 204 recommended or competency exam | 3 |
Total Credits: 15
| Class | Credits |
|---|---|
| IEC 235 - *Introduction to Inclusive Education | 3 |
| IEC 216 - *Literacy and Language | 3 |
| IEC 221 - **Creative Expression | 3 |
| IEC 246 - *Life Sciences | 3 |
| ENG 101 - Writing I | 3 |
Total Credits: 15
| Class | Credits |
|---|---|
| IEC 170 - *Observation and Assessment | 3 |
| IEC 200 - **Guidance of Young Children | 3 |
| Student will need to select 6 hours from IEC 240/230/260 (see next three rows below) | |
| IEC 260 - **Infant and Toddler Education Programming OR | (3) |
| IEC 240 - *Administration of Early Childhood Education OR | (3) |
| IEC 230 - Business Administration ECE Programs | (3) |
| IEC 291 - **IEC Cooperative Education | 3 |
| PSY 110 - General Psychology | 3 |
Total Credits: 18
*Indicates IEC course offered fall term at SCC
**Indicates IEC course offered spring term at SCC
Total Credits for Diploma: 48
Special Notes:
If student does not meet benchmarks, courses below must be taken at the same time:
- CIT 105/RDG 100 (2 credit hours)
- ENG 101/ENG 100 (3 credit hours)
| Class | Credit hours |
|---|---|
| IECE 101 - Orientation to Early Childhood Education | 3 |
| Total | 3 |
| Class | Credit hours |
|---|---|
| IEC 101 - Orientation to Early Childhood Education | 3 |
| IEC 102 - Foundations of Early Childhood Education | 3 |
| IEC Courses. Select one: IEC 130, IEC 180, *IEC 240 | 3 |
| Total | 9 |
Special Notes:
Either IEC 101 or 102 can serve as introduction course to IECE. Student can take IEC 102 if 101 is closed and take 101 the next semester.
*Indicates IEC course offered Fall semester.
**Indicates IEC course offered Spring semester.
| Class | Credit hours |
|---|---|
| IEC 101 - Orientation to Early Childhood Education | 3 |
| IEC 102 - Foundations of Early Childhood Education | 3 |
| IEC 240 - *Administration of Early Childhood Education | 3 |
| BA 200 - Small Business Development | 3 |
| Total | 12 |
| Class | Credit hours |
|---|---|
| BA 200 Small Business Development | 3 |
| IEC 240 *Administration of Early Childhood Education | 3 |
| Total | 6 |
Special Notes:
IEC 101 or 102 either can serve as introduction course to IECE. Student can take IEC 102 if 101 is closed and take 101 the next semester.
*Indicates IEC course offered fall semester SCC
Total certificate credit hours: 18
| Class | Credit hours |
|---|---|
| IEC 101 - Orientation to Early Childhood Education | 3 |
| IEC 102 - Foundations of Early Childhood Education | 3 |
| IEC 130 - Early Childhood Development | 3 |
| IEC 180 - Approaches to Curriculum | 3 |
| EDU 204 - Technology in Classroom | 3 |
| Total | 15 |
| Class | Credit hours |
|---|---|
| IEC 200 - **Guidance Early Childhood | 3 |
| IEC 170 - Observation and Assessment | 3 |
| ENG 101 - Writing I | 3 |
| COM 181 or COM 252 | 3 |
| PY 110 - General Psychology | 3 |
| Total | 15 |
Total credit hours for certificate: 30
** Indicates IEC course offered spring semester SCC
Note: Either IEC 101 or 102 can serve as introduction course to IECE. Student can take IEC 102 if 101 is closed and take 101 the next semester.
| Class | Credit hours |
|---|---|
| IEC 101 - Orientation to Early Childhood Education | 3 |
| IEC 102 - Foundations of Early Childhood Education | 3 |
| IEC 130 - Early Childhood Development | 3 |
| IEC 180 - Approaches to Curriculum | 3 |
| Total | 12 |
| Class | Credit hours |
|---|---|
| IEC 170 - Observation and Assessment | 3 |
| IEC 200 - **Guidance of Young Children | 3 |
| IEC 216 - *Language and Literacy | 3 |
| IEC 246 - *Life Sciences | 3 |
| Total | 12 |
| Class | Credit hours |
|---|---|
| IEC 221 - **Creative Expressions | 3 |
| IEC 235 - *Introduction to Inclusive Education | 3 |
| IEC 240 - *Administration of Early Childhood Education * | 3 |
| IEC 291 - **IEC Practicum/Cooperative Education | 3 |
| Total | 12 |
Total credit hours for certificate: 36
Note: Either IEC 101 or 102 can serve as introduction course to IECE. Student can take IEC 102 if 101 is closed and take 101 the next semester.
*Indicates IEC course offered fall semester SCC
**Indicates IEC course offered spring semester SCC
If you would like a PDF copy of a program plan, please email the program coordinator.
How Do I Pay For This?
Worry no more. With the lowest tuition in Kentucky, financial aid options, and a helping hand to guide you through the application process, SCC has you covered. SCC will help you reach your goals at a price that won't break the bank.
What Else Do I Need to Know?
Additional Information
Students enrolled in IECE courses must have the following forms on file and kept current for two years or as long as active in IECE courses.
Observation File Requirements
IEC Observation Files required for students enrolled all IEC courses. The IECE Coordinator will keep documents on file for two years for SCC students.
Somerset Community College students who are registered in any IECE class(es) must provide the 3 items on the checklist below by the deadline or they will not receive credit for observation hours and assignments that require outside observation.
If student was enrolled in a course during prior semester contact donna.eastham@kctcs.edu to verify if information is still current.
- A negative TB skin test or family doctor or a statement with doctor’s letterhead and signature stating T.B. free can be accepted.
- Background Check: Student must select one and submit completed background check to
IECE Coordinator Donna S. Eastham
- New Applicant Prescreening form
- Request for Conviction Records/Child Care
- Follow the directions on the form. Each submitted request costs $25.
- Student that is currently employed in a licensed program may submit a copy of their completed background check that the program has received through the Kentucky National Background Check Program (NBCP) through the Dept. for Community Based Services Division of Childcare.
- Confidentiality Statement Signed and submitted to Coordinator.
Deadline
Monday after the start of the Semester
5th (16 Week Courses)
2nd (12 or 8 Week Courses)
Late items will not be accepted!!
Somerset Students scan via email: donna.eastham@kctcs.edu
IECE Coordinator will keep documents on file for active IECE students for two years for SCC students.
Early Childhood Development Scholarship*
Majors in the Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education program working in public preschool or child care may qualify for a scholarship. Apply for the Early Childhood Development Scholarship here. Financial aid application must also be filled out at the FAFSA website. For assistance contact Amber Peck at apeck2@uky.edu or Gwen Johnson at gwen.johnson@uky.edu.
*The Early Childhood Development Scholarship is an award granted through KHEAA that will cover the cost of tuition only. Any additional fees are not covered by this grant and will need to be paid by other means.
This is a free educational resource for people looking to learn about Early Childhood Education. Check it out at DiscoverEarlyChildhoodEdu.org/scholarships.
IECE courses are online except IEC 291 cooperative class. Those students will be required to attend one or two class meeting(s) on Somerset Campus and complete 180 clock hours of work in an assigned classroom for 16 weeks in IEC 291. Students in all IEC classes are required to complete observation activities and/ or projects the required hours are between 0-20, depending on the course.
Please contact the program coordinator for more information.
The IECE program at SCC has Transfer Agreements with four-year institutions, including Campbellsville University. For information on Transfer Agreements with four-year institutions, schedule an Advising Appointment with Program Coordinator Donna S. Eastham.
Want to Transfer to EKU?
Please contact Dr. Dana Bush at dana.bush@eku.edu or Gail Creekmore at gail.creekmore@eku.edu for more information.
Recognition
Somerset Community College's online Early Childhood Education program has been recognized for their excellence in online learning.
Length of Program
You can earn an associate in applied science degree in two years if you maintain full-time status.
This information should not be considered a substitute for the KCTCS Catalog. You should always choose classes in collaboration with your faculty advisor to ensure that you meet all degree requirements.
