Associate of applied science early childhood education

The Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Early Childhood Education (ECE) program 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.

Table of Contents Show

Is Associates of Applied Science a real degree?
What is the difference between associate degree and associate of applied science?
Is a CDA the same as an associate's degree?
What is CRT in early childhood education?

Details

Important information you’ll need when applying for admission:

Academic Plan

Early Childhood Education (DEG)

Notes

Students must earn a grade of C or better for 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 vaccination.

This program replaces:
AAS/3007 Early Childhood Education
AAS/3109 Early Childhood Administration and Management
AAS/3124 Early Learning and Development
AAS/3356 Early Childhood Education and Administration: Birth through Age Five
AAS/3836 Early Childhood Education

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 Arizona-based annual median wages* for this program. 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.

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 Pathway Planner 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.

Full-time
Part-time

Full-time status is 12 credits to 18 credits per semester.

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 1

Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
CFS/ECH176 or CFS235 or EED205	Child Development or Developing Child: Theory into Practice, Prenatal to Age Eight or The Developing Child: Prenatal to Age Eight		Critical course Gateway course	SB	3
(CFS123 and CFS125 and ECH280) or EED215	(Health and Nutrition in Early Childhood Settings and Safety In Early Childhood Settings and Food Experiences With Young Children) or Early Learning: Health, Safety, Nutrition and Fitness				3
(CFS/ECH271 and ECH282 and CFS282) or EED212	(Arranging the Environment and Discipline/Guidance Of Child Groups and Mainstreaming The Young Child With a Disability) or Guidance, Management and the Environment				3
ENG101 or ENG107	First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL	Prerequisites: Appropriate writing placement test score, or a grade of C or better in ENG091 or ESL097 or WAC101, or a grade of B or better in ALT100, or (a grade of C in ALT100 AND Corequisites: ENG101LL or ENG107LL OR WAC101 OR ENG100A+). or Prerequisites: Appropriate writing placement test score, or a grade of C or better in ENG091 or ESL097 or WAC101, or a grade of B or better in ALT100, or (a grade of C in ALT100 AND Corequisites: ENG101LL or ENG107LL OR WAC101 OR ENG100A+).	Critical course	FYC	3
HU	Humanities, Fine Arts & Design		EDU291 or EDU292 Recommended	HU	3
FYE101 or FYE103	Introduction to College, Career and Personal Success or Exploration of College, Career and Personal Success				1–3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 2

Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
EED200	Foundations of Early Childhood Education		Critical course	SB	3
EED222 or EDU222	Introduction to the Exceptional Young Child: Birth to Age Eight or Introduction to the Exceptional Learner			C, SB	3
(CFS101AH and ECH281) or EED210 or ECH128	(Art Activities for the Young Child and Movement/Music for the Young Child) or Creative and Cognitive Play or Early Learning: Play And The Arts	No requisites or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in CFS/ECH176, or CFS235, or EED205. or No requisites			2–3
ENG102 or ENG108	First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL	Prerequisites: Grade of C or better in ENG101. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in ENG107.		FYC	3
CRE101	College Critical Reading and Critical Thinking	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in (ENG101 or ENG107) and (RDG095 or RDG100 or RDG111 or RDG112 or RDG113 or an appropriate district placement or permission of Instructor).	OR Equivalent as indicated by assessment	L	0–3
COM100 or COM110 or COM225 or COM230	Introduction to Human Communication or Interpersonal Communication or Public Speaking or Small Group Communication	No requisites or No requisites or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in ENG101, or ENG107, or equivalent. or No requisites	COM225 is recommended for students who wish to transfer to the BAE at ASU	SB or L	3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 3

Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
(ECH272 and ECH273 and ECH275 and ECH279) or EED278	(Science For The Young Child and Math for the Young Child and Literacy Development and the Young Child and Early Childhood Curriculum Development) or Early Learning Curriculum and Instruction - Birth to Age 8	No requisites or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in EED200.			3–4
EED225	Language and Literacy in the Context of Culture and Relationships			C	3
CFS/ECH284AB or (EED260 and EED261) or CFS/ECH284AA	Early Childhood Teaching Internship or (Early Childhood Infant/Toddler Internship and Early Childhood Preschool Internship) or Early Childhood Teaching Internship	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in CFS/ECH176 and permission of Department or Division. Corequisites: CFS/ECH269. or Prerequisites: Permission of Department or Division. and Prerequisites: Permission of Department or Division. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in CFS/ECH176 and permission of Department or Division. Corequisites: CFS/ECH269.	Select CFS/ECH284AB (3) or [EED260 and (EED261 or CFS/ECH284AA)] (2)		2–3
RE	Restricted Elective				3
MAT112	Mathematical Concepts and Applications		OR Satisfactory completion of a higher-level mathematics course Note: MAT14+ College Mathematics or any approved general education course in the Mathematical Application [MA] area may be required for students intending to transfer to a bachelor’s degree program.		3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 4

Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
(ECH140 and ECH270) or EED280	(Learning Made Visible Through Documentation and Observing Young Children) or Standards, Observation and Assessment of Typical/Atypical Behaviors of Young Children Birth to Age 8	No requisites or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in CFS/ECH176, or CFS235, or EED205.			2–3
(ECH269 and ECH287) or EED255	(Child Care Seminar and Professional Development in Early Childhood Education) or Portfolio Development and Writing for the Profession	Prerequisites: Permission of Department or Division. and No requisites or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in completion of twelve (12) credit hours of EED Early Education coursework and permission of Program Coordinator.			2–3
RE	Restricted Elective				3
RE	Restricted Elective				3
RE	Restricted Elective				0–3
SG or SQ	Natural Sciences General or Natural Sciences Quantitative		Any approved general education course from the Natural Sciences area	SG or SQ	4

Part-time status is 11 credit hours or less.

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 1

Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
CFS/ECH176 or CFS235 or EED205	Child Development or Developing Child: Theory into Practice, Prenatal to Age Eight or The Developing Child: Prenatal to Age Eight		Critical course Gateway course	SB	3
ENG101 or ENG107	First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL	Prerequisites: Appropriate writing placement test score, or a grade of C or better in ENG091 or ESL097 or WAC101, or a grade of B or better in ALT100, or (a grade of C in ALT100 AND Corequisites: ENG101LL or ENG107LL OR WAC101 OR ENG100A+). or Prerequisites: Appropriate writing placement test score, or a grade of C or better in ENG091 or ESL097 or WAC101, or a grade of B or better in ALT100, or (a grade of C in ALT100 AND Corequisites: ENG101LL or ENG107LL OR WAC101 OR ENG100A+).	Critical course	FYC	3
EED200	Foundations of Early Childhood Education		Critical course	SB	3
FYE101 or FYE103	Introduction to College, Career and Personal Success or Exploration of College, Career and Personal Success				1–3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 2

Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Area	Credits
(CFS123 and CFS125 and ECH280) or EED215	(Health and Nutrition in Early Childhood Settings and Safety In Early Childhood Settings and Food Experiences With Young Children) or Early Learning: Health, Safety, Nutrition and Fitness			3
(CFS/ECH271 and ECH282 and CFS282) or EED212	(Arranging the Environment and Discipline/Guidance Of Child Groups and Mainstreaming The Young Child With a Disability) or Guidance, Management and the Environment			3
ENG102 or ENG108	First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL	Prerequisites: Grade of C or better in ENG101. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in ENG107.	FYC	3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 3

Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
EED225	Language and Literacy in the Context of Culture and Relationships			C	3
MAT112	Mathematical Concepts and Applications		OR Satisfactory completion of a higher-level mathematics course Note: MAT14+ College Mathematics or any approved general education course in the Mathematical Application [MA] area may be required for students intending to transfer to a bachelor’s degree program.		3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 4

Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
COM100 or COM110 or COM225 or COM230	Introduction to Human Communication or Interpersonal Communication or Public Speaking or Small Group Communication	No requisites or No requisites or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in ENG101, or ENG107, or equivalent. or No requisites	COM225 is recommended for students who wish to transfer to the BAE at ASU	SB or L	3
(ECH272 and ECH273 and ECH275 and ECH279) or EED278	(Science For The Young Child and Math for the Young Child and Literacy Development and the Young Child and Early Childhood Curriculum Development) or Early Learning Curriculum and Instruction - Birth to Age 8	No requisites or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in EED200.			3–4
RE	Restricted Elective				3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 5

Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
EED222 or EDU222	Introduction to the Exceptional Young Child: Birth to Age Eight or Introduction to the Exceptional Learner			C, SB	3
(CFS101AH and ECH281) or EED210 or ECH128	(Art Activities for the Young Child and Movement/Music for the Young Child) or Creative and Cognitive Play or Early Learning: Play And The Arts	No requisites or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in CFS/ECH176, or CFS235, or EED205. or No requisites			2–3
CRE101	College Critical Reading and Critical Thinking	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in (ENG101 or ENG107) and (RDG095 or RDG100 or RDG111 or RDG112 or RDG113 or an appropriate district placement or permission of Instructor).	OR Equivalent as indicated by assessment	L	0–3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 6

Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
HU	Humanities, Fine Arts & Design		EDU291 or EDU292 Recommended	HU	3
CFS/ECH284AB or (EED260 and EED261) or CFS/ECH284AA	Early Childhood Teaching Internship or (Early Childhood Infant/Toddler Internship and Early Childhood Preschool Internship) or Early Childhood Teaching Internship	Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in CFS/ECH176 and permission of Department or Division. Corequisites: CFS/ECH269. or Prerequisites: Permission of Department or Division. and Prerequisites: Permission of Department or Division. or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in CFS/ECH176 and permission of Department or Division. Corequisites: CFS/ECH269.	Select CFS/ECH284AB (3) or [EED260 and (EED261 or CFS/ECH284AA)] (2)		2–3
RE	Restricted Elective				3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 7

Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Notes	Area	Credits
(ECH140 and ECH270) or EED280	(Learning Made Visible Through Documentation and Observing Young Children) or Standards, Observation and Assessment of Typical/Atypical Behaviors of Young Children Birth to Age 8	No requisites or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in CFS/ECH176, or CFS235, or EED205.			2–3
SG or SQ	Natural Sciences General or Natural Sciences Quantitative		Any approved general education course from the Natural Sciences area	SG or SQ	4

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 8

Course Number	Course Name	Requisites	Credits
(ECH269 and ECH287) or EED255	(Child Care Seminar and Professional Development in Early Childhood Education) or Portfolio Development and Writing for the Profession	Prerequisites: Permission of Department or Division. and No requisites or Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in completion of twelve (12) credit hours of EED Early Education coursework and permission of Program Coordinator.	2–3
RE	Restricted Elective		3
RE	Restricted Elective		0–3

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

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, we encourage you to meet with an advisor to discuss the requirements at your college for the appropriate catalog year.

Is Associates of Applied Science a real degree?

An associate of applied science degree, or AAS, is a two-year associate-level college degree with a focus on a particular applied science or technical skill. Students spend the majority of their coursework in technical courses directly related to their chosen area of study.

What is the difference between associate degree and associate of applied science?

An Associate of Science (AS) degree is a 2-year degree offered by most community colleges and some 4- year colleges. The Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree prepares graduates to enter a career immediately after graduation and have been considered terminal degrees.

Is a CDA the same as an associate's degree?

Difference. CDA programs differ from AAS programs in the amount of coursework versus field experience required. The CDA is primarily intended for individuals who are already teaching young children that require some training to supplement their hands-on experience.

What is CRT in early childhood education?

Culturally responsive teaching (CRT) is a research-based approach that leverages students' assets — their cultures, languages, and life experiences — to create rigorous, student-centered instruction.