NEWS

West Virginia University at Parkersburg 300 Campus Drive Parkersburg WV 26104 Phone:  304-424-8203 | Fax:  304-424-8315

---

Early Childhood Development degree available at the Jackson County Center

CONTACT:  Pam Braden, Jackson County Center director, 304-372-6992

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Are you interested in taking college courses toward an Associate in Applied Science degree in Early Childhood Development?  You can at West Virginia University at Parkersburg’s Jackson County Center in Ripley. 

State and federal regulations regarding the preparation of four-year-olds have changed in the last few years, noted Dr. Cindy Kelley, chair of WVU Parkersburg's Education Division.  The AAS degree in Early Childhood Education is designed to provide training for those interested in working in the childcare profession or Head Start.   The degree also has an option to give students the requirements necessary for certification as a paraprofessional through the West Virginia Department of Education.

The spring semester begins on January 10.  Two three-hour courses are being offered that apply toward the AAS in ECE.  They include  ECE 210-Curriculum & Strategies for Early Childhood which meets on Mondays from 4-6:45 p.m., and ECE 150-Practicum in Early Childhood Development which is offered in an alternative delivery format and will only meet four times throughout the semester with the remainder of the time to be spent in a day care setting.

JCC is offering a a number of other courses in general education (English, Psychology, etc.) that are required to complete the associate degree.  Students may choose to take the ECE courses in the spring or combine them with a mix of additional courses.  WVU Parkersburg offers the convenience of day, evening and online courses and other alternatives to meet area residents' life and work schedules.

Registration for spring semester is currently open; classes begin Jan. 10.  If you are interested in registering or have questions and would like to meet with an advisor, call JCC at (304) 372-6992 to set up an appointment. 

cd122204

For additional information, contact:
Connie Dziagwa
Executive Director, Communications and Public Relations
WVU Parkersburg
(304-424-8203)