The Early Childhood Education Associate in Arts Degree (ECE AA), provides students with preparation for employment working with children from birth through age 8 in early care and education programs, public and private preschools, and children's centers. The ECE AA courses meet the basic course requirements for teachers in private preschools licensed by the California State Department of Social Services. With the completion of the ECE AA degree and the required minimum number of field experience hours, the student will be able to apply for the Title V Child Development Permit at the Associate Teacher level. In many of the courses included in the ECE AA degree, student's study, observe and learn utilizing the Child Development Laboratory Instructional Classrooms. A grade of C or better is required in each course taken. The Early Childhood Education Associate in Arts Degree requires a total of 23 units.

Program Student Learning Outcomes:

🗸 Know and understand the established as well as recent theories of child development.

🗸 Analyze and challenge issues of bias that children, individuals and families experience.

🗸 Analyze and think critically about the teacher’s comprehensive role in early learning and development settings.

🗸 Design quality early childhood programs and curriculum.