Early Care and Education
The Early Care and Education Program is designed to educate students in principles
of child growth and development, preparing engaging, developmentally and culturally
appropriate curriculum and environments, and experience with applying these principles
into direct work with children and their families. The program reflects the current
and projected needs of the early childhood profession. Courses are designed to satisfy
CA Department of Social Services licensing regulations and the Commission on Teacher
Credentialing for work permits. Educating and caring for young children requires study,
personal and professional integrity, self-reflection and critical thinking. This program
prepares students to: apply theories of child development and educational pedagogy
with children birth to eight, create enriching educational environments and curriculum,
utilize child-centered, emergent and developmentally appropriate approaches to learning,
make meaningful connections with families, support children’s understanding of diversity
and inclusion, and support children’s
social-emotional well-being.
Programs of Study
Degrees:
- AA-T – Child and Adolescent Development
- AA-T – Elementary Teacher Education
- AS-T – Early Childhood Education
- AA – Early Childhood Development
- AA – Early Childhood Intervention
Certificates of Achievement:
Career Opportunities
Students have opportunities to work within the following professions: early childhood and afterschool programs, transitional kindergarten and fi rst to third grades, special education, early intervention and early childhood mental health and social and community agencies or advocacy programs.