COD adds Early Childhood Administration degree

The new Early Childhood Administration degree at College of DuPage will provide students with a direct route to the Gateways Illinois Director Credential Level 1.

"We are one of the first schools in the state to develop an Early Childhood Administration degree," said Jean Zaar, assistant professor and coordinator of Early Childhood Education and Care.

"It will prepare new students for direct entry into the field and give them the desired Gateways Illinois Director Credential Level 1 that will set them apart from other job applicants."

Because of recent and upcoming changes in requirements for child care directors mandated by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, the organization that licenses child care centers, COD has created the new degree to help students gain the Gateways credential once they complete their coursework, said Cindy Rice, assistant professor of the Early Childhood Education and Care program.

Students who complete the program and have the credential are ready to work as child care center directors, assistant directors, and preschool and child care program administrators.

In addition, the Gateways Illinois Director Credential Level 1 is recognized by ExceleRate, a quality rating and improvement system.

"DCFS is looking for an associate degree with a certain number of courses offered in early childhood administration and early childhood education, so we responded with this new program," Rice said.

"College of DuPage is an entitled institution through Gateways. This allows us to help our graduates earn both an A.A.S. degree and the Illinois Director Credential Level 1, which makes them more marketable."

A new course, Early Childhood Administration Practicum, is a capstone class created specifically for the 64-credit degree, which recently was approved by the Illinois Community College Board.

Students gain practical experience working with a child-care center director, staff, young children and families in a professional setting as they complete the 300 documented hours required for the Gateways Illinois Director Credential Level 1.

Zaar said College of DuPage also wanted to make it easier for current employees in the field with a prior degree or certificate from COD to add the new degree to their credentials.

For example, students who already completed the Early Childhood Education and Care A.A.S. degree need only five additional courses, including the practicum, to earn the new degree and receive the Level 1 designation.

Students who have earned the Administration of an Early Childhood Center certificate can build from that coursework toward the degree.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job market is strong for early childhood administration careers, with a projected job growth of 14 percent through 2022. The Illinois Career Information System projects a 15.3 percent growth for this field in DuPage County.

For information, visit cod.edu/programs/ecec, email counseling@cod.edu or call (630) 942-2259.

If you go

What: "The Ballad of the Sad Café"

When: 8 p.m. Thursday to Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday, March 2-19

Where: Studio Theatre in the McAninch Arts Center at College of DuPage, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn

Cost: $12 students and seniors, $14 adults

Info: (630) 942-4000 or www.atthemac.org