Early Childhood Education AS Degree
Associate in Science | SC Program: AS.1190
The Early Childhood Education Program prepares students to become teachers and directors in programs providing care and learning opportunities for young children ages 0-8. The college courses focus on training for careers in preschools, Head Start, child care programs, infant-toddler, school age, and family child care. Programs for young children require different qualifications for teachers and child care providers. The A.S. Degree in Early Childhood Education at Shasta College meets course work qualifications for the Child Development Teacher Permit and Community Care Licensing staff qualifications for a teacher and director. Additional specified experience with children is required.
There are a minimum of 38 units in the major required for the Associate of Science Degree in Early Childhood Education. Students need to complete 32 units of required core courses and an additional 6 units of restricted elective courses. An additional 15 General Education units and at least 7 general elective units will complete the Associate of Science degree in Early Childhood Education. All courses applied to the ECE A.S. Degree must be completed with a “C” grade or better, or a "P" if the course is taken on a Pass/No Pass basis.
This degree is approved through the California Community College Chancellor’s Office. Upon satisfactory completion of all degree requirements and filing an application for graduation with Admissions and Records, the student’s transcript will reflect completion of this degree.
Specializations
ECE graduates are qualified to work with children ages 0-8. However, it is recommended that students meet the additional 6-unit requirement by selecting and completing one of the following Specializations (Administration in ECE, Infant/Toddler Teaching, School-Age Teaching, or Special Needs in ECE/Early Intervention). A Specialization is required for Master Teacher or above levels of the Child Development Permit, issued by the California Commission on Teacher Credential. Associate and Teacher Levels do not require a Specialization. To qualify for a Child Development Permit from the California Office on Teacher Credentialing, students will need to take at least one additional unit of General Education approved curriculum. Applicants for the Permit should consult with the ECE Department to discuss selection of elective units for the degree. ECE courses may not be counted toward the 16 GE unit requirement for the Child Development Permit.
Choose your path
Map your education by viewing the program map for the degree or certificate you’re interested in earning below. Meet with a counselor to create your official comprehensive education plan.
A program map shows all the required and recommended courses you need to graduate and a suggested order in which you should take them. The suggested sequence of courses is based on enrollment and includes all major and general education courses required for the degree.
Fall Semester, First Year
12 Units TotalThis course examines child development with a focus on the effects of cultural and social factors. These factors include the socialization process and cultural influences such as ethnic identity, socioeconomic status, gender roles, family, peers, faith, and community. Significant references highlight the experiences of children and their families from several different historically under-represented groups. This course may be offered in a distance education format..
Spring Semester, First Year
15 Units TotalThis course is an introduction to the process of human communication with emphasis on public speaking. The subjects covered are speech topic selection, audience analysis, information competency (e.g. researching, evaluating and using supporting materials), presentation outlining, principles of effective speech delivery, critical evaluation of speeches, and presentation of informative and persuasive speeches. Most students will have the opportunity to be recorded and to use presentational technology. College level writing skills will be expected on all papers, outlines and short essays. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
Fall Semester, Second Year
15 Units TotalThis course is an introduction to the major concepts of modern biology. Topics covered include biochemistry, cell biology, heredity, and nature of genes, evolution, diversity of life, and principles of ecology. Emphasis will be placed on those aspects of biology that are rapidly reshaping our culture. This course may be offered in a distance education format. This course will meet the general education requirement for a laboratory science if taken with BIOL 10L.
Spring Semester, Second Year
14 Units TotalThis capstone course focuses on identifying, developing, and refining skills and behaviors essential for effective teaching of young children, consistent with national standards. The course is intended for students who want or need a supervised field experience where they have the opportunity to work directly with children to integrate theory and practice. Students will have the opportunity to practice and demonstrate skills that focus on child-centered, play-based approaches to teaching by designing, implementing, and evaluating developmentally appropriate activities, as well as gaining practical knowledge of learning and assessment. Knowledge of curriculum design will be emphasized as students plan, prepare, present, and evaluate experiences that promote positive development. The lecture component of this course may be offered in a distance education format. This course includes 54 hours of participation with young children in the Shasta College ECE Center Lab School or in a certified early childhood Mentor classroom.
This course takes an interdisciplinary approach to the study of race and ethnicity in the United States. It examines social justice movements in relation to ethnic and racial groups in the United States to provide a basis for a better understanding of the socioeconomic, cultural, and political conditions among key social groups including, but not limited to, Native Americans, African Americans, Asian Americans, and Latina/o Americans. This course examines the systemic nature of racial/ethnic oppression through an examination of key concepts including racialization and ethnocentrism, with a specific focus on the persistence of white supremacy. Using an anti-racist framework, the course will examine historical and contemporary social movements dedicated to the decolonization of social institutions, resistance, and social justice. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
Designed to satisfy the Child Development Permit Adult Supervision requirement. Course content focuses on the methods and principles of supervising the adult learner in the early childhood program. Addresses the roles of early childhood professionals who function as a mentor to other staff and parents while simultaneously meeting objectives for children, parents, and staff, with emphasis on the classroom teacher. Expanded modeling, guidance, and evaluation approaches will be examined. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
Please see a counselor to discuss options for meeting general education requirements for transfer to California State Universities (CSU) and/or University of California (UC) campuses, as well as any specific additional courses that may be required by your chosen institution of transfer.
*Alternative Courses: Please see a Shasta College counselor for alternative course options. You can also view the following to find other courses to meet degree/certificate requirements:
- California State Universities – General Education
- IGETC – Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum
Need a print out? Feel free to download and/or print out a copy of the sample program map(s).
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