Early Childhood Department
Bachelor of Science in Child Care and Development
Birth to Age 5
Program Design: The 126 credit Bachelor of Science in Child Care and Development program prepares students for careers or further education within the broad and changing field of early childhood. This program does not provide recipients of the bachelor's degree with a New York State Initial/Professional certificate or Provisional/Permanent certificate. To learn more about professional certification requirements, please visit the Office of Teaching Website at http://highered.nysed.gov
First and Second Year Courses: Students in the bachelor's program complete 30 hours of required and elective early childhood courses, including an on-campus practicum experience working in either the Cobleskill Campus Child Care Center or the Effie Bennett-Powe Child Development Center . Students may elect to complete a second practicum experience working in a local elementary school, pre-school, or Head Start program. Two (2) credits of Free electives, 1 credit of Physical Education, and 33 credits of General Education courses total 66 credits at the lower level.
Third and Fourth Year Courses: Two options are available in the B.S. in Child Care and Development curriculum:
- Leadership/Administration option aimed at candidates who wish to teach in or administer a child care or preschool program or work with young children in an agency. The Children's Program Administrator Credential (CPAC) of New York State credential can be met by the bachelor of science leadership option.
- Curriculum option prepares students for a) educational and agency positions that require expertise in child development, and do not require teacher certification, or b) admission to a master's degree program that leads to professional certification and teaching careers at the elementary level or in a related professional specialization.
Career Pathways:
The Leadership/Administration Option prepares graduates for careers that include:
Head Teacher, Early Childhood Program
Assistant Director, Child Care Center , Head Start
Director, Child Care Center/Head Start
Consultant to Corporate Child Care programs and Franchised Programs
Home-Based Child Care Proprietor
Education Specialist
Child Care Resource and Referral Specialist
Training Coordinator
Child Advocate
Parent or Family Educator/Advocate
Program/Curriculum Consultant
The Curriculum Option prepares graduates who desire a master's degree that lead to professional certification or to enter the work force in positions that include:
Child Development Researcher
Child Development Specialist
Head Teacher: Early Childhood Programs
Education Specialist
Parent or Family Educator/Advocate
Early Childhood Program Consultant
Child Advocate
Program/Curriculum Development Specialist
Human Services/Health Department Family Services Professional
Teacher Assistant, Public Schools
Internship: Interns are placed in Birth – Age 5 settings. The 12-credit internship experience serves to better prepare students to enter the workforce as well as to define and clarify career objectives. It is the capstone field experience in the bachelor of science program. The intern is exposed to the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) accredited sites, preschool programs, federal and private early childhood settings, corporate child care, and Head Start.
Admission Requirements:
- Applicants must have Mathematics Course A and B with a minimum of 75 on the Math A Regents Examination OR
- ►Three years preparatory mathematics including Sequential Math I, Sequential Math II, and Sequential Math III
- ►At least, 75 on Course II Regents Examination
- ►A grade point average of at least 80
- ►At least, 900 SAT composite OR
- ►At least, 19 ACT composite
- ►Algebra I, Algebra II, and Geometry (Non-New York State applicants)
►A completed SUNY Cobleskill application. Applications for fall and spring are on a rolling basis and you may apply by contacting the Office of Admissions at 518-255-5525, e-mail admissions@cobleskill.edu , or their website at http:/www.cobleskill.edu/admissions/
SUNY Cobleskill Graduates and Students Currently Enrolled
- ►A grade point average of at least 2.5
- ►Mathematics 111 or equivalent course
- ►Two letters of recommendation from college faculty
Transfer Students (External)
- ►A grade point average of at least 2.5
- ►28 credits of the core course requirements in the A.A.S. program in Early Childhood
- ►Mathematics 111 or equivalent course
- ►Two letters of recommendation from college faculty
Note: Transferring into the Bachelor of Science program requires 45 credits in residence which include a 12 credit-hour internship. No more than one-half of the major field requirements in the program are allowed as non-residence credits.