The Early Childhood Education Associate in Arts Degree

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 Teacher level. In many of the courses included in the ECE AA degree, students study, observe and learn utilizing the Child Development Laboratory Instructional Classrooms or approved Early Childhood Programs. A grade of C or better is required in each course taken. The Early Childhood Education Associate in Arts Degree requires a total of 26 units, in addition to other graduation requirements.

Projections of 50 students per year. 

Top Code: 1305.00- Child Development/Early Care and Education

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 program outcome goals for students completing the program are:

1. Outcome: Apply elements of various curriculum models, approaches, theories, and standards for early learning including indicators of quality to plan and individualize curriculum for children ages birth through eight.
2. Outcome: Analyze and interpret development in various domains of child development (biosocial, psychosocial, and cognitive, including typical and atypical development), and generate knowledge of the domains into comprehensive understanding of child development.
3. Outcome: Analyze and think critically about the teacher’s comprehensive role in early learning and development settings.
4. Outcome: Analyze theories of socialization that address the interrelationship of child, family, school, and community and describe the impact on the child within various family forms, schools, and agencies that are available within the community.
5. Outcome: Examine the impact of various societal influences and issues influenced by systemic oppression, on the development of children’s personal and social identity.
6. Outcome: Demonstrate the skills of a professional teacher including effective communication, ethical practice, responsibilities to children and families, and commitment to ongoing professional development.

1. ECE Teacher Certificate
2. SPED Certificate
3. Infant and Toddler Certificate
4. CDES AA Degree
5. ECE AST Degree

• Santa Ana College: Child Development AA Degree
• Santiago College: Early Childhood Education Apprenticeship Program
• Santa Ana College: Early Childhood Education AST Degree

Annual enrollment projections provided above.