Program Information
Learn more about the Early Childhood Education program.
General Help
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Course Sequence
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Field of Interest
The Associate in Arts (AA), Emphasis in Educational Studies Early Childhood provides the first two years of a four-year curriculum that emphasizes community, early childhood, and youth education. This program of study is designed to provide students with a foundation of knowledge in educational practices for use in the community setting. Upon completion of the Bachelor of Arts in Education, students may work with children and youth outside of traditional public school classroom settings. The AA, Educational Studies Early Childhood does not provide a pathway for students seeking Arizona Department of Education teacher certification.
Details
Important information you’ll need when applying for admission:
- Field of Interest
- Education
- Type
- Associate in Arts (AA)
- Academic Plan
- Associate in Arts, Emphasis in Educational Studies Early Childhood (DEG)
- Academic Plan Code
- 8134
- Total Credits Required
- 60-64
- Catalog Year
- 2024-2025
- Effective Term
- Fall 2024
- Notes
Students must earn a grade of C or better in all courses within the program.
For some employment and field experiences (including internship courses), students will be required to have a current Identity Verified Print (IVP) Fingerprint Clearance Card and a current TB test.
Students at any Maricopa Community College may need to complete courses at more than one of our colleges to earn a degree with this emphasis.
What You’ll Learn
This pathway map will help you gain the expertise needed to:
- Evaluate developmentally, culturally, and linguistically appropriate learning experiences that promote growth and development in the following domains: Social-Emotional, Physical, Cognitive, and Language and Literacy.
- Identify the components necessary for a safe, caring, inclusive, and healthy learning environment according to best practices and local, state, and national standards.
- Analyze learning and development through observation and documentation, using standards and best practices.
- Identify reciprocal, culturally responsive relationships between educational professionals, families and communities.
- Develop communication skills necessary for education and community advocacy.
- Practice ethical and professional standards and behavior.
- Advocate for ethical, equitable, diverse, and effective community, early childhood, and youth education professions.
- Engage in reflective practice and continuous learning through education and research.
- Develop problem solving skills relevant to community, early childhood, and youth education.
- Apply relevant knowledge, skills, and habits of mind to seek career opportunities in the field.
Career Opportunities
Successful completion of this degree may lead to employment in a variety of different occupations and industries. Below are examples of related occupations with associated Maricopa County-based annual median wages* for this degree. Education requirements vary for the occupations listed below, so you may need further education or degrees in order to qualify for some of these jobs and earn the related salaries. Please visit with an academic advisor and/or program director for additional information. You can click on any occupation to view the detail regarding education level, wages, and employment information.
Education Administrators for Preschool and Childcare Programs
$49,674 Show expanded career information for Education Administrators for Preschool and Childcare Programs
Elementary Special Education Teachers
$52,660 Show expanded career information for Elementary Special Education Teachers
Kindergarten Special Education Teachers
$52,660 Show expanded career information for Kindergarten Special Education Teachers
Kindergarten Teachers
$52,466 Show expanded career information for Kindergarten Teachers
Preschool Teachers
$35,476 Show expanded career information for Preschool Teachers
Recreation Workers
$36,415 Show expanded career information for Recreation Workers
Secondary School Career and Technical Education Teachers
$86,435 Show expanded career information for Secondary School Career and Technical Education Teachers
Special Education Preschool Teachers
$52,296 Show expanded career information for Special Education Preschool Teachers
Teaching Assistants
$35,073 Show expanded career information for Teaching Assistants
Course Sequence by Term
The following is the suggested course sequence by term. Please keep in mind:
- Students should meet with an academic advisor to develop an individual education plan that meets their academic and career goals. Use the Degree Progress Report Tool in your Student Center to manage your plan.
- The course sequence is laid out by suggested term and may be affected when students enter the program at different times of the year.
- Initial course placement is determined by current district placement measures and/or completion of 100-200 level course and/or program requirements.
- Degree and transfer seeking students may be required to successfully complete a MCCCD First Year Experience Course (FYE) within the first two semesters at a MCCCD College. Courses include FYE101 and FYE103. Course offerings will vary by college. See an academic, program, or faculty advisor for details.
Full-time Sequence
Full-time status is 12 credits to 18 credits per semester.
| Awareness Areas |
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Note: Because you are viewing this pathway map on a mobile device, some columns below have been hidden. To view all columns, please rotate your device or view this page on a device with a larger screen.
Term 1
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENG101 or ENG107 |
First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL | Critical course | FYC or FYC | 3 | |
| MAT14+ | College Mathematics | OR Any approved general education course in the Mathematical Applications [MA] area | MA | 3–6 | |
| EDU/ENH291 | Children's Literature | HU | 3 | ||
| EED215 or (CFS123 and CFS125) |
Early Learning: Health, Safety, Nutrition and Physical Fitness or (Health and Nutrition in Early Childhood Settings and Safety In Early Childhood Settings) | 2–3 | |||
| FYE101 or FYE103 |
Introduction to College, Career and Personal Success or Exploration of College, Career and Personal Success | 1–3 |
Term 2
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENG102 or ENG108 |
First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL | FYC or FYC | 3 | ||
| CRE101 | College Critical Reading and Critical Thinking | OR Equivalent as indicated by assessment | L | 0–3 | |
| SQ | Natural Sciences Quantitative | SQ | 4 | ||
| EDU222 or EED222 |
Introduction to the Exceptional Learner or Introduction to the Exceptional Young Child: Birth to Age Eight | C, SB or C, SB | 3 | ||
| EDU221 or EED200 |
Introduction to Education or Foundations of Early Childhood Education | SB or SB | 3 |
Term 3
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EDU230 | Cultural Diversity In Education | C, HU | 3 | ||
| HU | Humanities, Fine Arts & Design | Note: EDU230 will meet the [HU] requirement if completed Spring 2022 or later | HU | 3 | |
| BPC110 or CIS105 or CSC180 or CSC180AA or CSC180AB or EDU/EED115 |
Computer Usage and Applications or Survey of Computer Information Systems or Computer Literacy or Computer Literacy or Computer Literacy or Digital Literacy for Teaching and Learning in Education | EDU115 or EED115 recommended | CS or CS or CS or CS or CS or CS | 3–4 | |
| L | Literacy & Critical Inquiry | COM225 recommended | L | 3 | |
| COM100 or COM110 or COM225 or COM230 |
Introduction to Human Communication or Interpersonal Communication or Public Speaking or Small Group Communication | May be met by COM225 Public Speaking in the Literacy and Critical Inquiry [L] area | SB or SB or L or SB | 0–3 |
Term 4
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CFS205 or CFS/ECH176 |
Human Development or Child Development | SB or SB | 3 | ||
| SG or SQ |
Natural Sciences General or Natural Sciences Quantitative | SG or SQ | 4 | ||
| RE | Restricted Elective | 3 | |||
| RE | Restricted Elective | 0–3 | |||
| RE | Restricted Elective | 0–3 |
Part-time Sequence
Part-time status is 11 credit hours or less.
| Awareness Areas |
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Note: Because you are viewing this pathway map on a mobile device, some columns below have been hidden. To view all columns, please rotate your device or view this page on a device with a larger screen.
Term 1
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENG101 or ENG107 |
First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL | Critical course | FYC or FYC | 3 | |
| EDU/ENH291 or CPD104 |
Children's Literature or Career and Personal Development | HU or None | 3 | ||
| FYE101 or FYE103 |
Introduction to College, Career and Personal Success or Exploration of College, Career and Personal Success | 1–3 |
Term 2
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENG102 or ENG108 |
First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL | FYC or FYC | 3 | ||
| BPC110 or CIS105 or CSC180 or CSC180AA or CSC180AB or EDU/EED115 |
Computer Usage and Applications or Survey of Computer Information Systems or Computer Literacy or Computer Literacy or Computer Literacy or Digital Literacy for Teaching and Learning in Education | EDU115 or EED115 recommended | CS or CS or CS or CS or CS or CS | 3–4 | |
| CRE101 | College Critical Reading and Critical Thinking | OR Equivalent as indicated by assessment | L | 0–3 |
Term 3
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EED215 or (CFS123 and CFS125) |
Early Learning: Health, Safety, Nutrition and Physical Fitness or (Health and Nutrition in Early Childhood Settings and Safety In Early Childhood Settings) | 2–3 | |||
| MAT14+ | College Mathematics | OR Any approved general education course in the Mathematical Applications [MA] area | MA | 3–6 |
Term 4
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| L | Literacy & Critical Inquiry | COM225 recommended | L | 3 | |
| EDU221 or EED200 |
Introduction to Education or Foundations of Early Childhood Education | SB or SB | 3 | ||
| COM100 or COM110 or COM225 or COM230 |
Introduction to Human Communication or Interpersonal Communication or Public Speaking or Small Group Communication | May be met by COM225 Public Speaking in the Literacy and Critical Inquiry [L] area | SB or SB or L or SB | 0–3 |
Term 5
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CFS/ECH176 or CFS205 |
Child Development or Human Development | SB or SB | 3 | ||
| SQ | Natural Sciences Quantitative | SQ | 4 | ||
| EDU222 or EED222 |
Introduction to the Exceptional Learner or Introduction to the Exceptional Young Child: Birth to Age Eight | C, SB or C, SB | 3 |
Term 6
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EDU230 | Cultural Diversity In Education | C, HU | 3 | ||
| HU | Humanities, Fine Arts & Design | Note: EDU230 will meet the [HU] requirement if completed Spring 2022 or later | HU | 3 | |
| RE | Restricted Elective | 0–3 |
Term 7
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SG or SQ |
Natural Sciences General or Natural Sciences Quantitative | SG or SQ | 4 | ||
| RE | Restricted Elective | 3 | |||
| RE | Restricted Elective | 0–3 |
Restricted Electives: Educational Studies Track Courses
Students should select Educational Studies Track Courses in one of the emphases below. If interested in the Environmental Education, Global Studies, Health Innovation, or Nonprofit Administration track, the courses will need to be completed at ASU:
Business Educational Studies:
ECN211 Macroeconomic Principles
Community Health Educational Studies:
HCR220 Introduction to Nursing and Health Care Systems
Family and Human Development Educational Studies:
CFS112 Personal Growth and Family Relations
Organizational Leadership Educational Studies:
HON201 Leadership Development: Historical and Contemporary Perspectives OR
MGT229 Management and Leadership I AND
MGT230 Management and Leadership II
Personal Health Educational Studies:
FON100 Introductory Nutrition
Political Science Educational Studies:
POS110 American National Government
POS140 Comparative Government
POS210 Political Ideologies
Recommended Electives
Electives should be completed once all other requirements have been met and only if needed to complete the 60 credits required for the associate degree.
Recommend students select courses from the following prefixes:
CFS+++++ Any CFS Child/Family Studies course(s)
ECH+++++ Any ECH Early Childhood Education course(s)
EDU+++++ Any EDU Education course(s)
EED+++++ Any EED Early Education course(s)
FCS+++++ Any FCS Family and Consumer Science course(s)
ITD+++++ Any ITD Infant/Toddler Development course(s)
Ready to get started?
Follow one of the options below to get started on your personal career pathway.
Become a Student
Click here for MCC’s easy-to-use Enrollment Steps.
Program Information
Learn more about and find contact information for the Early Childhood Education program.
General Help
Ask general questions over the phone at 480-461-7400 or via online chat.
Course Area Key
Critical Course = A course that is highly predictive of future success in a pathway.
- C = Cultural Diversity in the US
- CS = Computer/Statistics/Quantitative Application
- FYC = First Year Composition
- G = Global Awareness
- H = Historical Awareness
- HU = Humanities, Fine Arts, and Design
- L = Literacy & Critical Inquiry
- MA = Mathematics
- SB = Social-Behavioral Sciences
- SG = Natural Sciences General
- SQ = Natural Sciences Quantitative
Disclaimer
Students must earn a grade of C or better for all courses required within the program.
Course Sequence total credits may differ from the program information located on the MCCCD curriculum website due to program and system design.
At Maricopa, we strive to provide you with accurate and current information about our degree and certificate offerings. Due to the dynamic nature of the curriculum process, course and program information is subject to change. As a result, the course list associated with this degree or certificate on this site does not represent a contract, nor does it guarantee course availability. If you are interested in pursuing this degree or certificate, meet with an academic advisor to discuss the requirements at your college for the appropriate catalog year.
View MCCCD’s official curriculum documentation for additional details regarding the requirements of this award (https://aztransmac2.asu.edu/cgi-bin/WebObjects/MCCCD.woa/wa/freeForm10?id=188761).
Previous Catalog Years
The pathway map presented above is for the current catalog year and is the intended pathway map for new students. All previous catalog years for this pathway map are available at the link below.