Program Information
Learn more about the Early Childhood Education program.
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Course Sequence
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The Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Early Childhood Education (ECE) is designed to prepare individuals for employment as early childhood professionals in a variety of educational settings. The AAS program includes courses based on current ECE theory and practice as well as general education classes to broaden a student's base of knowledge. Certificates of Completion are also available. Some of these programs are available at select colleges. Please check with your local college for program availability.
Details
Important information you’ll need when applying for admission:
- Field of Interest
- Education
- Type
- Associate in Applied Science (AAS)
- Academic Plan
- Early Childhood Education (DEG)
- Academic Plan Code
- 3186
- Total Credits Required
- 60-74
- Catalog Year
- 2024-2025
- Effective Term
- Fall 2023
- 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.
What You’ll Learn
This pathway map will help you gain the expertise needed to:
- Design developmentally, culturally, and linguistically appropriate learning experiences that promote each child's growth and development in the following domains: Social-Emotional, Physical, Cognitive, and Language and Literacy.
- Implement developmentally, culturally, and linguistically appropriate learning experiences.
- Maintain a safe, caring, inclusive, and healthy learning environment according to best practices and local, state, and national standards.
- Assess children's learning and development through observation and documentation, using guidelines established by the profession.
- Establish reciprocal, culturally responsive relationships with families and communities.
- Utilize communication skills to advocate for children and their families.
- Practice ethical and professional standards and behavior.
- Advocate for an ethical, equitable, diverse, and effective early childhood education profession.
- Engage in reflective practice and continuous learning through education and research.
- Collaborate with peers to problem solve within early childhood education and other disciplines.
- 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
Special Education Preschool Teachers
$52,296 Show expanded career information for Special Education Preschool Teachers
Special Education Teaching Assistants
$35,073 Show expanded career information for Special Education Teaching Assistants
Teaching Assistants
$35,073 Show expanded career information for Teaching Assistants
- Teaching Assistants, All Other
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.
- Consult with your faculty mentor or academic advisor to determine educational requirements, including possible university transfer options, for your chosen career field.
Full-time Sequence
Full-time status is 12 credits to 18 credits per semester.
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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
CFS/ECH176 or CFS235 or EED205 |
Child Development or Developing Child: Theory into Practice, Prenatal to Age Eight or The Developing Child: Prenatal to Age Eight | Critical course Gateway course | SB or SB or SB | 3 | |
(CFS123 and CFS125 and ECH280) or EED215 |
(Health and Nutrition in Early Childhood Settings and Safety In Early Childhood Settings and Food Experiences With Young Children) or Early Learning: Health, Safety, Nutrition and Physical Fitness | 3 | |||
(CFS/ECH271 and ECH282 and CFS282) or EED212 |
(Arranging the Environment and Discipline/Guidance Of Child Groups and Inclusion of Young Children with Special Needs) or Guidance, Effective Interactions and the Environment | 3 | |||
ENG101 or ENG107 |
First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL | Critical course | FYC or FYC | 3 | |
HU | Humanities, Fine Arts & Design | EDU291 or EDU292 Recommended | HU | 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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
EED200 | Foundations of Early Childhood Education | Critical course | SB | 3 | |
EED222 | Introduction to the Exceptional Young Child: Birth to Age Eight | C, SB | 3 | ||
(CFS101AH and ECH281) or EED210 or ECH128 |
(Art Activities for the Young Child and Movement/Music for the Young Child) or Creative and Cognitive Play or Early Learning: Play and the Arts | 2–3 | |||
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 | |
COM100 or COM110 or COM225 or COM230 |
Introduction to Human Communication or Interpersonal Communication or Public Speaking or Small Group Communication | COM225 is recommended for students who wish to transfer to the BAE at ASU | SB or SB or L or SB | 3 |
Term 3
Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
(ECH272 and ECH273 and ECH275 and ECH279) or EED278 |
(Science For The Young Child and Math for the Young Child and Literacy Development and the Young Child and Early Childhood Curriculum Development) or Early Learning Curriculum and Instruction - Birth to Age Eight | 3–4 | |||
EED225 | Language and Literacy in the Context of Culture and Relationships | C, HU | 3 | ||
CFS/ECH284AB or (EED260 and EED261) or CFS/ECH284AA |
Early Childhood Teaching Internship or (Early Childhood Infant/Toddler Internship and Early Childhood Preschool Internship) or Early Childhood Teaching Internship |
Select CFS/ECH284AB (3) or [EED260 and (EED261 or CFS/ECH284AA)] (2) |
2–3 | ||
RE | Restricted Elective | 3 | |||
MAT112 | Mathematical Concepts and Applications |
OR Satisfactory completion of a higher-level mathematics course Note: MAT14+ College Mathematics or any approved general education course in the Mathematical Application [MA] area may be required for students intending to transfer to a bachelor’s degree program. |
3 |
Term 4
Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
(ECH140 and ECH270) or EED280 |
(Learning Made Visible Through Documentation and Observing Young Children) or Standards, Observation and Assessment of Typical/Atypical Behaviors of Young Children Birth to Age 8 | 2–3 | |||
(ECH269 and ECH287) or EED255 |
(Child Care Seminar and Professional Development in Early Childhood Education) or Portfolio Development and Writing for the Profession | 2–3 | |||
RE | Restricted Elective | 3 | |||
RE | Restricted Elective | 3 | |||
RE | Restricted Elective | 0–3 | |||
SG or SQ |
Natural Sciences General or Natural Sciences Quantitative | Any approved general education course from the Natural Sciences area | SG or SQ | 4 |
Part-time Sequence
Part-time status is 11 credit hours or less.
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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
CFS/ECH176 or CFS235 or EED205 |
Child Development or Developing Child: Theory into Practice, Prenatal to Age Eight or The Developing Child: Prenatal to Age Eight | Critical course Gateway course | SB or SB or SB | 3 | |
ENG101 or ENG107 |
First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL | Critical course | FYC or FYC | 3 | |
EED200 | Foundations of Early Childhood Education | Critical course | SB | 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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
(CFS123 and CFS125 and ECH280) or EED215 |
(Health and Nutrition in Early Childhood Settings and Safety In Early Childhood Settings and Food Experiences With Young Children) or Early Learning: Health, Safety, Nutrition and Physical Fitness | 3 | |||
(CFS/ECH271 and ECH282 and CFS282) or EED212 |
(Arranging the Environment and Discipline/Guidance Of Child Groups and Inclusion of Young Children with Special Needs) or Guidance, Effective Interactions and the Environment | 3 | |||
ENG102 or ENG108 |
First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL | FYC or FYC | 3 |
Term 3
Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
EED225 | Language and Literacy in the Context of Culture and Relationships | C, HU | 3 | ||
MAT112 | Mathematical Concepts and Applications |
OR Satisfactory completion of a higher-level mathematics course Note: MAT14+ College Mathematics or any approved general education course in the Mathematical Application [MA] area may be required for students intending to transfer to a bachelor’s degree program. |
3 |
Term 4
Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
COM100 or COM110 or COM225 or COM230 |
Introduction to Human Communication or Interpersonal Communication or Public Speaking or Small Group Communication | COM225 is recommended for students who wish to transfer to the BAE at ASU | SB or SB or L or SB | 3 | |
(ECH272 and ECH273 and ECH275 and ECH279) or EED278 |
(Science For The Young Child and Math for the Young Child and Literacy Development and the Young Child and Early Childhood Curriculum Development) or Early Learning Curriculum and Instruction - Birth to Age Eight | 3–4 | |||
RE | Restricted Elective | 3 |
Term 5
Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
EED222 | Introduction to the Exceptional Young Child: Birth to Age Eight | C, SB | 3 | ||
(CFS101AH and ECH281) or EED210 or ECH128 |
(Art Activities for the Young Child and Movement/Music for the Young Child) or Creative and Cognitive Play or Early Learning: Play and the Arts | 2–3 | |||
CRE101 | College Critical Reading and Critical Thinking | OR Equivalent as indicated by assessment | L | 0–3 |
Term 6
Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
HU | Humanities, Fine Arts & Design | EDU291 or EDU292 Recommended | HU | 3 | |
CFS/ECH284AB or (EED260 and EED261) or CFS/ECH284AA |
Early Childhood Teaching Internship or (Early Childhood Infant/Toddler Internship and Early Childhood Preschool Internship) or Early Childhood Teaching Internship |
Select CFS/ECH284AB (3) or [EED260 and (EED261 or CFS/ECH284AA)] (2) |
2–3 | ||
RE | Restricted Elective | 3 |
Term 7
Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
(ECH140 and ECH270) or EED280 |
(Learning Made Visible Through Documentation and Observing Young Children) or Standards, Observation and Assessment of Typical/Atypical Behaviors of Young Children Birth to Age 8 | 2–3 | |||
SG or SQ |
Natural Sciences General or Natural Sciences Quantitative | Any approved general education course from the Natural Sciences area | SG or SQ | 4 |
Term 8
Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
(ECH269 and ECH287) or EED255 |
(Child Care Seminar and Professional Development in Early Childhood Education) or Portfolio Development and Writing for the Profession | 2–3 | |||
RE | Restricted Elective | 3 | |||
RE | Restricted Elective | 0–3 |
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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
Gateway Course = Generally the first major-specific course in a pathway.
Critical Course = A course that is highly predictive of future success in a pathway.
- C = Cultural Diversity in the US
- FYC = First Year Composition
- HU = Humanities, Fine Arts, and Design
- L = Literacy & Critical Inquiry
- 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/freeForm13?id=175658).
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.
Previous catalog years for Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Early Childhood Education