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Program Information
Learn more about the Early Childhood Education program.
General Help
Ask general questions at our support center.
Course Sequence
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
- 2025-2026
- 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.
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
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