Early Childhood Care & Education (ECE)

Overview

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Professional License Disclosure (PDF)

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A career in education will allow you to make a difference in your community, while shaping the lives of the next generation. Cochise College has several education degrees to choose from whether you want to work in an early childhood care facility or teach in a classroom.

Associate of Arts

The Early Childhood Care and Education Associate of Arts degree prepares students for transfer to a university program in the care and education of young children. It offers in-depth child development theory, practical applications in the workplace, and comprehensive skills for working with children and their families. To ensure seamless transfer, students must develop their specific program of study in close coordination with a Cochise College advisor.

Learning Outcomes
Students who successfully complete this program will be able to do the following:

• Design developmentally appropriate curriculum and strategies that promote the advancement of young children with diverse abilities and cultures.

• Analyze and examine the multiple historical educational theories and methods, philosophical, and social foundations as well as the contemporary trends in early childhood.

• Demonstrate an understanding of the need to plan for and provide a supportive learning environment that is responsive to each child's individual needs.

• Explain the importance of establishing a positive, productive, and reciprocal relationship with children's families. 

• Demonstrate an understanding of special education, current practices, and related educational theories.

• Analyze and articulate the relationship of cultural values to the formation of the child's self-concept and learning style.

Associate of Applied Science

The Early Childhood Care and Education Associate of Applied Science degree is designed for those seeking to comply with industry regulations in child care and for those wishing to transfer to a university Bachelor of Applied Science degree program. Completion of this degree does not guarantee state licensure or certification. Students must obtain licensure through appropriate licensing agencies.

Learning Outcomes
Students who successfully complete this program will be able to do the following:

• Design developmentally appropriate curriculum and strategies that promote the advancement of young children with diverse abilities and cultures.

• Analyze and examine the multiple historical, philosophical, and social foundations as well as the contemporary trends in early childhood.

• Demonstrate an understanding of the need to plan for and provide a learning environment that is responsive to each child's individual needs.

• Explain the importance of establishing a positive, productive, and reciprocal relationship with children's families.

• Develop inclusive programs that identify and relate child observation and assessment tools and how they are used to guide developmentally appropriate decisions.

• Demonstrate an understanding of special education, current practices, and related educational theories.

Certificate

The Early Childhood Care and Education Certificate provides early childhood teacher training for those seeking to provide care and education to young children. Upon completion, students may apply for national Child Development Associate (CDA) credentialing. Completion of this certificate does not guarantee state licensure or certification. 

Learning Outcomes
Students who successfully complete this program will be able to do the following:

• Design developmentally appropriate curriculum and strategies that promote the advancement of young children with diverse abilities and cultures.

• Analyze and examine the multiple historical, philosophical, and social foundations as well as the contemporary trends in early childhood.

• Demonstrate an understanding of the need to plan for and provide a learning environment that is responsive to each child’s individual needs.

• Explain the importance of establishing a positive, productive, and reciprocal relationship with children's families.

• Develop inclusive programs that identify and relate child observation assessment tools and how they are used to guide developmentally appropriate decisions.

Admissions Requirements

There are no special admissions requirements for this program.

Degree Maps

Degree & Certificates

• Early Childhood Care & Education - AA Degree - Transfer (Catalog)
• Early Childhood Care & Education - AAS Degree - Transfer (Catalog)
• Early Childhood Care & Education - Certificate - Less Than 1 Year (Catalog)