Inspire a love of learning. You'll learn about children's growth from birth through age five and prepare to work in preschools, Head Start programs or childcare centers.
What is Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education?
Work with young children and help them grow! We designed the Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education program (IECE) for you. You'll learn about the different types of development a child goes through. This includes cognitive, physical, social, and emotional development. You'll get to apply what you learn through hands-on opportunities.
Class topics include:
- Developmental ages and stages
- Health and safety
- Curriculum planning
- Assessment
- Family involvement
Children are important. You can make a difference in the life of a child when you know and understand child development and developmentally appropriate practice when working with them.
Good NEWS is you can earn certificates, credentials, and diplomas as you go, at YOUR PACE.
Employment opportunities are available in:
- Public and private preschools
- Early care educational settings
- Early intervention programs
- Head Start
- Hospitals
- Campus child development centers
- Rehabilitation clinics
- Recreation centers
Public School
Associate of Applied Science Degree in IECE leads you to transfer to a four year college and prepare you for the Teacher Ed Program.
Head Start
You can earn your CDA in Infant Toddler and Preschool while working toward your Associate of Applied Science Degree in IECE. Your degree will set you up to work as Lead teacher in Head Start and have a job waiting for you at Community Action Council of Lexington.
Instructional Design
Transfer to Asbury University with an AAS in IECE and begin a bachelor’s degree in Instructional Design. Workforce options include working in hospitals, school districts, Head Start, corporations, and many more!
Workforce has many options for working with children birth to 5 years with an Associate of Applied Science Degree in IECE ** transferring on to a Bachelor’s Degree in Child Development or Family Studies*.
- Quality STAR Rater *
- Licensed Surveyor for the Division of Child Care *
- Professional Development Counselor for KIDS NOW*
- Level 3 Trainer**
- Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA)
- Health and Safety Coach*
- Child Development Administrator ** with Experience
- Hands on Experience in a Variety of Settings
- Community Resources
- Workforce Skills
- Child Development: Five Domains
- Curriculum and Instruction
- Leadership and Advocacy
Getting Started
Early Childhood Development Scholarship*
Majors in the Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education program working in public preschool or child care may qualify for a scholarship for fall or spring semester. Apply for the Early Childhood Development Scholarship at www.kheaa.com. The deadline to apply is July 15th for fall and November 15th for spring. Your FAFSA (new window) or Financial aid application must also be filled out.
*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.
What are my degree, diploma, and certificate options?
The catalog describes the course requirements for completing the credential. Students are required to schedule an appointment with their assigned academic advisor to ensure achievement of their academic goals.
How Do I Pay For This?
What Else Do I Need to Know?
Additional Information
IECE courses are online except IEC 291 hybrid class, for which the student will be required to attend eight class meetings on a BCTC campus and complete 15 hours of work in an assigned classroom for 16 weeks.
Students in all IECE classes are required to complete observation activities and/or projects; the required hours are between 10-20, depending on the course.
Please contact the program coordinator for more information.
Bluegrass Community and Technical College IEC course tutoring is available during the fall and spring semesters.
If you need support in your IEC learning experience at BCTC, you will enjoy IEC Tutoring with Mrs. Bonnie Rutherford. Mrs. Bonnie is an IEC graduate of the IEC program here at BCTC. She has served as a preschool teacher, and Administrator of a child development center for 20 plus years.
IEC tutoring is delivered in a variety of formats to meet the student's need. Mrs. Bonnie has in person hours with set times either on the Newtown Campus or Lawrenceburg Campus. She is also available using SKYPE, ZOOM, FACETIME, or email via appointment.
For more information, please email Professor Maria Rutherford at maria.rutherford@kctcs.edu or Mrs. Bonnie Rutherford's email at brutherford0005@kctcs.edu.
All new incoming IEC students must attend NEW IEC Student Orientation prior to semester starting dates. If you do not attend, you will be dropped from the class the day after the last IEC Orientation for the semester. There are no exceptions.
Please RSVP for the upcoming IEC Orientation by emailing Maria Rutherford at maria.rutherford@kctcs.edu
What to bring with you?
- A pencil
- Two US postage stamps
- Two envelopes
- Two copies of your photo identification
- Your PeopleSoft ID number
- A check or money order for $10 (BCTC CAN Background Check)
- A check or money order for $20 (BCTC KSP Background Check)
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. If a student skips a semester, the background checks must be renewed.
- Confidentiality Statement
- Hepatitis B form
- T.B. (must be current)
- Background Checks:
- BCTC CAN Check ($10)
- BCTC KSP Check ($20)
Please contact Maria Rutherford at maria.rutherford@kctcs.edu for Background Packet.
Length of Program
The program can be completed in two years if you take 15 to 18 credit hours per semester. General education classes should be taken along with curriculum classes.
This information should not be considered a substitute for the KCTCS Catalog. You should always choose classes in cooperation with your faculty advisor to ensure that you meet all degree requirements.
