Early Childhood Teacher Education Associate of Arts
Program Description
This program is designed for students wanting to complete the first two years of a Bachelor's degree at the community college and transfer to a university to complete a BA or BS with licensure in Early Childhood Teacher Education. Licensure requires a Bachelor's degree and meeting the standards of the Colorado Department of Education. Students explore early childhood education techniques and strategies, child care, growth and development. As part of this degree, students will earn two certificates - Early Childhood Assistant Teacher and Early Childhood Teacher.
Learn more about this program.
What You Will Learn
Upon completion of the program, you will be able to:
1. Identify, describe and apply research-based principles of child growth, development and learning
2. Use effective, ethical, authentic observation, documentation and assessment practices
3. Describe how to build strong family and community relationships
4. Identify, describe and apply effective and developmentally appropriate approaches to guidance
5. Explain the importance of health, safety and nutrition for the development of each child
6. Identify and cultivate ethical practices related to professional development and leadership for the field
7. Develop and demonstrate knowledge and skills necessary for planning, administering and improving early childhood programs
8. Describe and employ effective and appropriate teaching practices
9. Successfully complete effective field experiences that reinforce the program curriculum
10. Demonstrate responsiveness to diverse populations, regardless of ability, race, place, income, language, culture, religion, and gender
My Academic Plan: Full-Time
Courses are displayed in a full-time sequence showing the fastest path to your degree. Follow the pathway below to complete your AA degree in 4 semesters (2 years). For more information, please see your Academic Advisor.
First Semester
| ECE 1011 or ECE 1011 en español | Introduction to Early Childhood Education (ECE 1011) or Introducción a la Educación Infantil Temprana (ECE 1011 en español) | 3 |
| ECE 1031 or ECE 1031 en español | Guidance Strategies for Young Children (ECE 1031) or Estrategias de orientación para niños pequeños (ECE 1031 en español) | 3 |
| ECE 2381 or ECE 2381 en español | ECE Child Growth and Development (ECE 2381) or Crecimiento y Desarrollo Infantil de la ECE (ECE 2381 en español) | 3 |
| ENG 1021 | English Composition I: GT-CO1 | 3 |
| PSY 1001 | General Psychology I: GT-SS3 | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
Second Semester
Third Semester
Fourth Semester
My Academic Plan: Part-Time
Courses are displayed in a part-time sequence providing flexibility for the working professional. Follow the pathway below to complete your AA degree within 8 semesters (3 years). This pathway may be accelerated by applying transfer credit, credit for prior learning, and/or completing one or more additional courses each semester. For more information, please see your Academic Advisor.
Fall Semester 1
| ENG 1021 | English Composition I: GT-CO1 | 3 |
| ECE 1011 or ECE 1011 en español | Introduction to Early Childhood Education (ECE 1011) or Introducción a la Educación Infantil Temprana (ECE 1011 en español) | 3 |
| ECE 1031 or ECE 1031 en español | Guidance Strategies for Young Children (ECE 1031) or Estrategias de orientación para niños pequeños (ECE 1031 en español) | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 9 |
Spring Semester 2
| PSY 1001 | General Psychology I: GT-SS3 | 3 |
| ECE 2381 or ECE 2381 en español | ECE Child Growth and Development (ECE 2381) or Crecimiento y Desarrollo Infantil de la ECE (ECE 2381 en español) | 3 |
| MAT 1240 | Math for Liberal Arts: GT-MA1 | 4 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 10 |
Summer Semester 3
| ENG 1022 | English Composition II: GT-CO2 | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 3 |
Fall Semester 4
Spring Semester 5
Summer Semester 6
Fall Semester 7
Semester Note: This degree
requires 9 credits of electives which vary per university. Please
work with your Academic Advisor to review the
Transfer Articulation Agreement for more information related to all programs and participating institutions.
Spring Semester 8
Total Credit Hours: 60
Prior Learning eligible course
• Learn more about Credit for Prior Learning
• View all eligible courses
Important Program Notes:
Certain classes in this degree are only offered through an online format. Speak to your Academic Advisor or home campus ECE Program Director for additional information.
Per the Statewide Transfer Agreement, you must successfully complete BOTH SCI 1055 and SCI 1056 to satisfy the GT Pathways Science requirement.
Credits for additional required courses may not be required for the major at a receiving 4-year institution. If not required, they will be applied to the Bachelor’s degree as elective credit toward graduation. Please check with the receiving institution to determine in which way these courses will be applied.
Electives vary
by transfer institution per the Statewide Transfer Articulation Agreement. Although these courses vary by institution, they must be selected from the following: ECE 1111, ECE 1125, ECE 2051, ECE 2401, ECE 2411, ECE 2601, MAT 1260, PSY 2440, ECE 2651, COM 1150, PSY 1002, and ECE 2641.
You must complete a minimum of 60 credits to complete this degree. If receiving financial aid, you should only take courses and credits as required for this degree. Check with your advisor to monitor your completion progress.