Degree and Certificate Options
The Early Childhood Education (ECE) Program provides an academic and experiential foundation offering students occupational and transfer degree options and a variety of certificates. Students will study child development in the context of the family and the community as well as best practices for teaching and learning. Observation and participation opportunities allow students to apply their emerging skills under the supervision of select teachers and mentors in both public and private settings, including the Child Development Center on campus.
The ECE program offers the AS-T degree for students who plan to complete a bachelor’s degree in a similar major at a CSU campus. The AA degree is designed for students desiring an occupational or transfer course of study, providing more depth than the transfer degree. In addition, a variety of certificates are offered, as well as coursework for continuing education for child care providers, teachers and parents.
This major prepares students for a broad range of career options in the field. Positions are available nationwide in preschools, child care facilities, private homes, recreation programs and human service agencies.
Students are encouraged to work closely with a program advisor to determine which options best meet their career and educational goals. Once a goal is selected, the following advising sheets can be used by students to help plan and select the appropriate courses in the major.
Degrees
Associate of Science in ECE for Transfer (AS-T)
Associate in Arts in ECE
Certificates
Certificate of Achievement in EC 36 units
Certificate of Achievement – Teacher 24 units
Certificate of Specialization – Associate Teacher 12 units
Certificate of Specialization – Administration 8 units
Certificate of Specialization for Master Teacher Permit
Special Needs 6 units
School Age Care 6 units
Creative Curriculum 6 units
Certificate of Entrepreneurship 15 units
A.A. in ECE
Course Number |
Course Name |
Units |
Semesters Offered |
ECE 150 |
Observational Studies |
3 |
S13/S15 |
ECE 152 |
Introduction to Curriculum |
3 |
S12/S14 |
ECE 153 |
Child, Family and Community |
3 |
All |
ECE 157 |
Principles and Practices of Teaching Young Children |
3 |
F12/F13 |
ECE 158 |
Practicum |
3 |
S12/S14 |
ECE 159 |
Health, Safety and Nutrition |
3 |
F13/F15 |
ECE 160 |
Teaching in a Diverse Society |
3 |
F12/F14 |
ECE 162 |
Child Growth and Development |
3 |
All |
ECE 051
OR ECE 055 |
Administration of Programs for Young Children OR Supervisions: Parent/Staff Relations |
3 |
F12/F14
F13/F15 |
ECE 080 |
Pediatric First Aid/CPR |
.5 |
ALL |
ECE 098 |
Succeeding in an ECE Career |
1.5 |
S12/S14 |
ECE 154 |
Creative Activities for Children |
3 |
F13 |
ECE electives |
Courses selected from elective list in catalog |
4 |
Varies |
|
Total Required ECE units |
36 |
|
To earn an Associate in Arts in Early Childhood Education:
1) Complete ECE requirements and electives as outlined above.
2) Complete FRC General Education requirements, or CSU General Education Breadth, or IGETC requirements.
3) Complete additional elective courses when major units plus GE units total is less than sixty (60) units.
Certificate of Achievement
Early Childhood Education
36 units
Complete major requirements only for the A.A. degree as outlined in the above table.
A.S. in ECE for Transfer
Course Number |
Course Name |
Units |
Semesters Offered |
ECE 150 |
Observational Studies |
3 |
S13/S15 |
ECE 152 |
Introduction to Curriculum |
3 |
S12/S14 |
ECE 153 |
Child, Family and Community |
3 |
All |
ECE 157 |
Principles and Practices of Teaching Young Children |
3 |
F12/F13 |
ECE 158 |
Practicum |
3 |
S12/S14 |
ECE 159 |
Health, Safety and Nutrition |
3 |
F13/F15 |
ECE 160 |
Teaching in a Diverse Society |
3 |
F12/F14 |
ECE 162 |
Child Growth and Development |
3 |
All |
|
Total Required ECE units |
24 |
|
To earn an Associate in Science in Early Childhood Education for Transfer:
1) Complete Major Core Requirements as outlined above with a grade of C or better.
2) Complete CSU General Education Breadth or IGETC requirements to total sixty units.
3) Maintain a minimum GPA 2.0 for all transferable courses.
4) ECE 153 and ECE 162 may be double counted for the major and general education requirements.
Certificate of Achievement
Teacher
24 Units
Complete major requirements only for the A.S. degree as outlined in the above table.
Certificate of Specialization
Associate Teacher
12 Units
Course
Number |
Course Name |
Units |
Semesters
Offered |
ECE 152
OR ECE 154 |
Introduction to Curriculum
OR Creative Activities for Children |
3 |
S12/S14
F13 |
ECE 153 |
Child, Family and Community |
3 |
All |
ECE 157
OR ECE 158 |
Principles and Practices of Teaching Young Child
OR Practicum |
3 |
F12/F13
S12/S14 |
ECE 162 |
Child Growth and Development |
3 |
All |
Certificate of Specialization
Administration of ECE Programs
8 Units
Course Number |
Course Name |
Units |
Semesters Offered |
ECE 051 |
Administration of Programs for Young Children |
3 |
F12/F14 |
ECE 055 |
Supervision: Parent/Staff Relations |
3 |
F13/F15 |
ECE 156 |
Mentoring and Supervising Adults in the Classroom |
2 |
S13/S15 |
Certificate of Specialization
Child Care Entrepreneurship
15 Units
Course
Number |
Course Name |
Units |
Semesters
Offered |
BUS 121 |
Introduction to Entrepreneurship |
1 |
F12 |
BUS 122 |
Entrepreneurial Marketing |
1.5 |
F12 |
BUS 123 |
Financial Management for entrepreneurs |
2 |
S13 |
BUS 124 |
Preparing Effective Business Plans |
1.5 |
S13 |
ECE 051
OR ECE 055 |
Administration of Programs for Young Children
Supervision: Parent Staff Relations |
3 |
F12/F14
F13/F15 |
ECE 152
OR ECE 154 |
Introduction to Curriculum
OR Creative Activities for Children |
3 |
S12/S14 |
ECE 153
OR ECE 159 |
Child, Family and Community
OR Health, Safety and Nutrition |
3 |
All
F13/F15 |
Certificate of Specialization
Master Teacher – Special Needs
6 units
Course Number |
Course Name |
Units |
Semesters Offered |
ECE 140 |
Teaching Young Children with Special Needs |
3 |
Variable
See advisor |
ASL 130
OR ASL 132 |
Beginning American Sign Language I
OR Beginning American Sign Language II |
3 |
F12/F13
S13/S14 |
Certificate of Specialization
Master Teacher – School Age
6 Units
Course Number |
Course Name |
Units |
Semesters Offered |
ECE 063 |
Programs for School Age Children |
3 |
Variable
See advisor |
ORL 120 |
Recreation Program Planning |
3 |
|
Certificate of Specialization
Master Teacher – Creative Curriculum
6 Units
Select 6 units from the following:
Course
Number |
Course Name |
Units |
Semesters
Offered |
ECE 072 |
Science Curriculum for the Young Child |
1 |
Variable |
ECE 075 |
Math Curriculum for the Young Child |
1 |
Variable |
ECE 083 |
Children’s Storytelling and Puppetry |
1 |
Variable |
ECE 085 |
Emerging Literacy |
1 |
Variable |
ECE 154 |
Creative Activities for Children |
3 |
F13 |
ECE 166 |
Music with Children |
3 |
S13 |
|
