Students enrolled in the Early Childhood Teacher Academy Pathway will learn essential skills related to childcare and early childhood development. Students will be prepared for further study or employment related to these topics following graduation. This pathway is designed for students who are looking to pursue a career in a field related to Early Childhood Education.

The pathway will introduce the foundations of child development, explore early childhood curriculum, as well as provide practical childcare field experiences.

Upon successful completion of the pathway, students may receive Delaware First: Training for Early Care and Education (TECE 1) certification. Students also have the opportunity to earn an Early Childhood and School-age Intern Certificate, CPR Certificate, as well as college credit through the dual enrollment course.

Students enrolled in this pathway will have the opportunity to participate in a Career and Technical Student Organization (CTSO). The CTSO for this pathway is Educators Rising.  

Units of Study

Required: 

Required: 

• ECE I: Human Growth and Development
• ECE II: Early Childhood as a Profession
• ECE III: Curriculum and Instruction in Early Childhood

Additional Course Offerings:

• Early Career Experience
• ECE Teacher Academy Internship
• Leadership in Education

Students enrolled in the Internship will also complete the following Wilmington University Dual Enrollment Courses:

• ECE 201: Nutrition, Health, and Safety for Young Children
• ECE 217: Families as Partners in Education

College Articulation Agreements:

Delaware State University

Students who complete the 3 pathway courses with a B or better will receive the following articulated credits at DSU:

EDUC 205 Child Growth & Dev. (3 credits)

EDUC 204 Philosophical Foundations of Education (3 credits)

Delaware Technical Community College

Students who successfully complete the 3 pathway courses will receive the following articulated credits at DTCC:

PSY 125 Child Development (3 credits)

Wilmington University

Students who complete the 3 pathway courses with a B or better will receive the following articulated credits at WU:

PSY 336 Child Development (3 credits)

ECE 214 Creating Env. for Learning (3 credits)

Potential Careers:

• Education Administration
• Educational Tutoring
• Elementary Education Teacher
• Librarian
• Occupational Therapist
• Paraprofessional
• School Counselor
• School Psychologist
• Secondary Teacher
• Special Education Teacher
• Speech and Language Pathologist