Early Childhood Education - Master Teacher
Certificate of Achievement Level 3 Early Childhood Education · San Jose City College · 2026-2027 Catalog
Description
San Jose City College offers an Associate in Science (AS), Associate in Science for Transfer (AS-T) and various Certificates of Achievement in Early Childhood Education (ECE). The three teacher focused certificates are aligned with the Child Development Permit (CDP) Matrix created by the California Department of Education. Per California Department of Education and Department of Justice, students will need to have TB clearance and fingerprinting to complete Certificate of Achievement – Level 2 and Level 3. Students planning to transfer to a 4-year university should follow the AS-T degree.
The Master Teacher Certificate of Achievement – Level 3 (32 units) fulfills the ECE requirements for the Child Development Master Teacher permit. To qualify for the Master Teacher permit issued by the California Department of Education, students will also need an additional *16 units from approved GE courses in order to meet the California Department of Education requirements. The Child Development Master Teacher permit authorizes the holder to provide service in the care, development and instruction of children in a child care and development program, and supervise teachers, teacher associates, assistants and aides. The permit also authorizes the holder to serve as a coordinator of curriculum and staff development.
* One course in each of four general education categories, which are degree applicable: English/Language Arts; Math or Science; Social Sciences; Humanities and/or Fine Arts.
Students interested in pursuing the Child Development Program Director permit should meet with SJCC’s ECE Program Coordinator for more information regarding requirements.
A grade of "C" or better is required in all ECE major, certificate and major elective courses.
CAREER OPTIONS:
- Early Childhood Education Master Teacher
Program Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:
- Observe and assess children’s development from birth through adolescence using different tools.
- Reflect on and critically assess one’s own teaching experiences in the classroom to inform practice and improve skills in working with children.
- Plan, prepare, carry out, and assess early childhood settings, curriculum, and teaching strategies utilizing indicators of quality early childhood practice that support all children, and their families, including those with diverse characteristics.
- Describe the role of a mentor teacher in leadership and advocacy in the field of early childhood education.
Requirements
Certificate Requirements
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | 23 | |
| ECE 020 | Observation and Assessment | 3 |
| ECE 101 | Introduction to Curriculum | 3 |
| ECE 101B | Practicum in Early Childhood Education 1 | 3 |
| ECE 102 | Principles & Practices of Teaching Young Children | 3 |
| ECE 107 | Child, Family and Community | 3 |
| ECE 108 | Health, Safety, and Nutrition in Child Care | 3 |
| ECE 142 | Supervising Adults-The Mentor Teacher | 2 |
| FCS 070 | Child Development | 3 |
| ECE 101B must be taken at San Jose City College. | ||
| Choose a minimum of 3 units from the following: | 3 | |
| ECE 016 | Storytelling for Children | 2 |
| ECE 017 | Literacy Development in Children | 2 |
| ECE 018 | Children's Literature | 2 |
| ECE 104 | Art and Creativity for Children | 3 |
| ECE 105 | Language Development for Young Children | 3 |
| ECE 109 | Music, Movement, and Rhythm Activities for Children | 3 |
| ECE 146 | Child Guidance and Discipline | 2 |
| ECE 147 | Teaching in a Diverse Society | 3 |
| ECE 191 | Infant Toddler Development | 3 |
| ECE 192 | Care and Education for Infants and Toddlers | 3 |
| Select one of the specializations below. (Please note: it must not be a specialization that includes a course that was taken above): | ||
| Specialization 1: Bilingual/bi-cultural development | ||
| ECE 105 | Language Development for Young Children | 3 |
| ECE 147 | Teaching in a Diverse Society | 3 |
| Specialization 2: Curriculum | ||
| ECE 104 | Art and Creativity for Children | 3 |
| ECE 109 | Music, Movement, and Rhythm Activities for Children | 3 |
| Specialization 3: Inclusion | ||
| ECE 145 | The Child With Special Needs | 3 |
| ECE 149 | Inclusion of Children With Special Needs | 3 |
| Specialization 4: Infant Toddler | ||
| ECE 191 | Infant Toddler Development | 3 |
| ECE 192 | Care and Education for Infants and Toddlers | 3 |
| Specialization 5: Language and Literacy | ||
| ECE 016 | Storytelling for Children | 2 |
| ECE 017 | Literacy Development in Children | 2 |
| ECE 018 | Children's Literature | 2 |
| Specialization 6: Music and Movement | ||
| DANCE 004 | Dance Pedagogy: Teaching Children Dance | 3 |
| ECE 109 | Music, Movement, and Rhythm Activities for Children | 3 |
| Specialization 7: School Age | ||
| ECE 195 | The School Age Child: Development, Behavior, Curriculum | 3 |
| EDUC 010 | Introduction to Education in a Multicultural Society | |
| Total Units | 32 | |
- ECE 101B must be taken at San José City College.