Early Childhood Education

The Associate in Science in Early Childhood Education for Transfer includes a selection of courses designed to align with the lower division child development/early childhood education programs offered in the CSU system. The degree provides academic preparation to individuals for a career as an early childhood educator. The program will give students general knowledge and skills in theory, principles, and techniques for working with young children.

To obtain the Associate in Science in Early Childhood Education for Transfer, students must complete the following:

• Completion of 60 semester units or 90 quarter units that are eligible for transfer to the California State University, including both of the following:
  • The California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC)
  • A minimum of 18 semester units or 27 quarter units in a major or area of emphasis, as determined by the community college district.
  • Obtainment of a minimum grade point average of 2.0.

ADTs also require that students earn a C or better in all courses required for the major or area of emphasis. A "P" (Pass) grade is also an acceptable grade for courses in this major.

Students completing this degree program may enter the following careers (examples, but not limited to):

• Infant/Toddler lead or co-teacher
• Preschool lead or co-teacher
• Family childcare provider
• Early childhood community agency service provider or home visitor
• Early childhood curriculum specialist

Learning Outcome(s):

1. Students will analyze developmentally appropriate curriculum and explain principles and practices pertaining to child development.
2. Illustrate the connections between the child, families, and communities in child development.
3. Integrate understandings of children's development and needs to develop and maintain healthy, safe, respectful, supportive and challenging learning environments for all children.
4. Students will design, implement and evaluate curriculum activities that are based on observation and assessment of young children.
5. Critically assess one's own teaching experiences to guide and inform practice.
6. Analyze various aspects of children's experiences as members of families targeted by social bias, considering the significant role of education in reinforcing or contradicting such experiences.
7. Complete systematic observations using a variety of methods of data collection to assess the impact of the environment, interactions, and curriculum on children's development and behavior.