Associate in Science Degree in Early Childhood Education Master Teacher

The Associate in Science Degree in Early Childhood Education Master Teacher prepares students for mid-level career options in transitional kindergarten classrooms as an aide, infant and toddler programs. child care, preschool education, special education, and before and after school programs. Upon completion of this program, students will be eligible to apply for the Master Teacher level permit on the Child Development Permit Matrix from the State of California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. Students will complete lower-division courses in child growth and development, principles and practices in early childhood education, curriculum, observation, assessment, child/family/ community relationships, diversity, health and safety, adult supervision, and specialization coursework.

We anticipate that 40 students will choose this pathway and we will have 10 completers each year.  We believe we will capture additional students who don’t want to transfer and will choose to work towards this degree, rather than stopping at 12 Early Childhood Education units, which is the minimum unit requirement for Title 22 programs.  We believe that the students will find the coursework more relevant to their work and more compelling than what is offered in the AS-T degree so more students will complete an associate degree rather than stopping their education.

Although the field of ECE does not pay incredibly high wages, the wages have increased substantially since COVID.  The YMCA, one of the largest employers in East Contra Costa County for Early Childhood Education has salaries between $74,280 to $80,612 (inclusive of retirement and health care benefits) for early childhood educators with an associate degree. With this offering attaining an associate degree in early childhood education is more accessible.

This degree was envisioned by the YMCA and in consultation with EDvance. In addition, this degree received full support from our advisory committee, which includes other employers in East Contra Costa County such as the Community Service Bureau for Head Start, Little Angels Preschool, and County Office of Education.

To earn the Associate of Science Degree in Early Childhood Education Master Teacher:

1.        Completion of 60 semester units or 90 quarter units of degree-applicable courses,

2.        Minimum overall grade point average of 2.0,

3.        Minimum grade of “C” (or “P”) for each course in the major, and

4.        Completion of the California State General Education Pattern

5.        Completion of the required 35 units of Early Childhood Education coursework.

The Associate of Science Degree in Early Childhood Education: Master Teacher is a 60-unit degree with 35 units in Early Childhood Education combined with the California State General Education Pattern of 18-20 units. Up to 6 units may be double counted toward the 35-unit major coursework in the Local/College pattern and the degree can be achieved in 60 units.  Up to 13 elective units may be required to complete this degree.

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Diablo Valley College - Juan Huerta Villicana, Chair - No concerns | Contra Costa College - Michell Naidoo, Chair - No response