Top Associate Degrees in Early Childhood Education

Turn your interest into a career as an early childhood educator. Our associate degree in Early Childhood Education is designed to provide you with a solid academic foundation and hands-on experience in the field of early childhood education. Early Childhood is the study of children ages birth through eight years old. You will gain knowledge of how to work with children and their families in a variety of settings based on child development and age-appropriate practice. Early Childhood professionals have an in-depth knowledge of child growth, development, and learning, and are able to apply this knowledge into their practice. They can communicate effectively with children, colleagues, and families. As an early childhood professional, you will have the commitment to work collaboratively with others in order to deliver the optimal services to children and their families. Following completion of the program, you will have the necessary skills and knowledge to become gainfully employed in the field of early childhood education and/or to continue your education towards a bachelor’s degree in Child Study or related fields.... [-]

The ECE/CD program is designed to meet the lower division education needs of individuals planning a career or currently working with children birth to approximately 8 years of age, in early care and education settings outside of a formal elementary grade school setting.

A degree in Early Childhood Education is an excellent start on a path to a fulfilling career. While many students in the program plan to be preschool teachers and early childhood specialists, other students plan to work in the field of early education while they continue their education in preparation for careers in the fields of elementary and special education, child psychology, counseling, criminal justice, family support, and a variety of other child-focused vocations.... [-]

The first two years of preparation for a career as an early childhood, elementary, middle school, or secondary teacher can be accomplished at Northwest College. The Education Department offers courses which teach the basic principles and theories of teaching and learning. Through the cooperation of public school personnel, our students observe and gain practical experience in public school classrooms throughout the Big Horn Basin.

Academic advisors guide students in their career choices as well as advise them on course selection and transfer options.

Since teaching requires state certification, it is important that students consult with their advisors frequently to become informed of program requirements at four-year colleges. The catalog of the four-year transfer college must be consulted by the student when selecting courses.... [-]

The Early Childhood Education Teacher A.A. Degree provides preparation for employment as a teacher in early care and education settings.

Upon completion of the degree students will be eligible for the Teacher Permit through the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. The coursework in this program focuses on typical and atypical development, the culture and ecology of children and its relationship to learning, curriculum development, assessment, and program planning and implementation.

Can you envision a life spent in the classroom, changing lives and molding young minds? If you would like to enter the teaching profession, our Early Childhood Education Associate degree program can help you get started. In this program, you can learn about emergent literacy, documenting observations and planning lessons to meet the needs of children, and you’ll focus on the creation of developmentally appropriate curriculum, instruction and assessment in the classroom.

Upon completion of the program, you will have a strong background in early childhood development; understand how children learn; be aware of the diversity in our population; be able to observe children and use the data to plan developmentally appropriate instructional experiences; and understand the roles of the teacher, the family and the school community in early childhood education. Whether you want to work in a preschool, childcare center, school-age program or public school, we can give you the skills you need to work with children from birth through age eight.... [-]

This option prepares students for transfer to four-year institutions to pursue Elementary, Middle School or Secondary Education teaching certifications. In addition, many courses prove relevant to the needs of parents and professionals from other fields. Students in this option take courses in education theory and practice and field observations coupled with the general studies required for a successful transfer. Students are introduced to foundations of education, organization, and structure of school systems, teaching the exceptional child, inclusion education, literacies: emergent and content areas, effective teaching techniques, and technology integration in teaching and learning. Students explore professional opportunities in business and industry. The courses offered in this option need to be taken in consultation with a College counselor.... [-]

The Early Childhood Education Program is designed to prepare students to become teachers or directors in children’s centers, nursery and preschools, prekindergartens, infant-toddler programs, employer-supported children’s centers, extended daycare or family day-care programs.

Teacher, Head Teacher, or Director of: Children’s Centers, Employer- Supported Children’s Centers, Extended Day Programs, Family Day-Care Programs, Infant-Toddler Programs, Nursery and Preschools, Parent Cooperative Nursery Schools, Prekindergarten Programs

Students planning to transfer to a four-year institution should complete the lower division major requirements and general education pattern for the appropriate transfer institution and major. Exact major requirements for UC and CSU institutions can be found on www.assist.org. Please see a counselor for more information as curriculum requirements may vary among transfer universities.... [-]

The Associate of Science Childhood Education and Family Studies Emphasis degree leads to a baccalaureate degree in human development, early childhood education or social science with a certificate in early childhood education. Students may petition for adjustments in the Southwestern AS degree if course requirements are met for the first two years of any regionally accredited four-year institution offering a degree in education, early childhood education, family studies, human or child development. Eastern Oregon University distance education degree of liberal studies with an early childhood education emphasis articulates with SWOCC's AS degree. The AS degree is also articulated with Portland State University through their external degree program. All coursework specific to childhood education and family studies degrees and certificates is offered online through Southwestern’s online platform. Both the AS with an emphasis in childhood education and family studies and our AAS in Childhood Education and Family Studies are now accredited through the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Early Childhood Associate Degree Accreditation program. ... [-]