What can I do with this?
We are now offering associate degrees for transfer to the CSU. This provides a clear pathway to a CSU major and baccalaureate degree. This AS-T degree guarantees admission with junior standing somewhere in the CSU system and gives priority admission consideration to your local CSU campus or to a program that is deemed similar to your community college major. This priority does not guarantee admission to specific majors or campuses. More information on the Degree with a Guarantee Program.
The Early Childhood Education Degree for Transfer
- Guarantees acceptance to the CSU system
- Prepares students for careers in Child Development and Early Childhood Education
- Prepares students for transfer to child development, elementary education, and education programs
All professionals working with children are required to have a clean criminal record, to demonstrate freedom from tuberculosis (TB), and to demonstrate the physical ability to perform all of the duties of a professional position working directly with children.
Current and prospective community college students are encouraged to meet with a counselor to review their options for transfer and to develop an educational plan that best meets their goals and needs.
What will I learn?
- To examine teaching and care practices that provide a developmentally appropriate program to support children's growth, development, and learning.
- To identify one's own values, experiences, and philosophies and how they guide and inform practices.
- To integrate understandings of children's development and needs to maintain healthy, safe, supportive, and challenging learning environments that demonstrate culturally relevant, inclusive, age-appropriate, and anti-bias approaches respectful of children, families, and early learning professionals.
Program Learning Outcome Assessments
What courses do I take?
Note: Some courses within the major may have a required prerequisite. If you feel you have equivalent knowledge and skills to those included in the prerequisite course through professional experience, licensure, or certification, you have the opportunity to submit a Prerequisite Challenge to be reviewed by the faculty chair. For the Prerequisite Challenge to be considered, you must submit documentation/verification to substantiate the basis for the challenge. Please consult a counselor for more information regarding Prerequisite Challenge.
The requirements for this program are complex. You MUST meet with a Child Development faculty member AND a counselor.
Complete all of the following courses:
C-ID: ECE 120 Principles & Practices of Teaching Young Children
Advisory: ENGL C101, LIBR C100
54 hours lecture. This course provides historical context and theoretical perspectives of developmentally appropriate practices in early care and education for children from birth through age eight. The course emphasizes best practices for developmentally appropriate learning environments, curriculum, and effective pedagogy for young children including how play contributes to children's learning, growth, and development. Topics include professional ethics, career pathways, professional standards, and the typical roles and expectations of early childhood educators. Students are required to observe children in a group setting.
C-ID: ECE 130 Introduction to Curriculum
Advisory: ENGL C101, LIBR C100
54 hours lecture.This course explores developmentally appropriate curriculum and environments for children from birth through age eight. Students use knowledge of children's development, theories of learning and development, and examples from various models of developmentally appropriate practice to plan environments and curriculum in all content areas to support children's development and learning integrated throughout indoor and outdoor settings. Students are required to observe children in a group setting.
C-ID: CDEV 110 Child Family and Community
Advisory: ENGL C101, LIBR C100
54 hours lecture. This course examines the processes of socialization focusing on the interrelationship of family, school, and community, and the influence of multiple societal contexts. Students explore the role of collaboration between family, community, and schools in supporting children’s development, from birth through adolescence. Students are required to observe children in a group setting. Approved for IGETC Area 4, CSU GE Area D, Local GE Area 2.
C-ID: CDEV 100 Child Growth and Development
Advisory: ENGL C101, LIBR C100
54 hours lecture. This course examines progression of development in the physical, cognitive, social, and emotional domains and identifies developmental milestones for children from conception through adolescence. There is an emphasis on interactions between biological processes and environmental factors. Students observe children, evaluate individual differences, and analyze characteristics of development at various stages according to developmental theories. Approved for IGETC Area 4, CSU GE Area D or E, Local GE Area 2.
C-ID: ECE 220 Health, Safety and Nutrition
Advisory: ENGL C101, LIBR C100
54 hours lecture. This course introduces the laws, regulations, standards, policies, procedures, and best practices related to health, safety, and nutrition in care and education settings for children from birth through middle childhood. Topics covered include the teacher's role in prevention strategies; nutrition and meal planning; integrating health, safety, and nutrition experiences into daily routines; and overall risk management. Students are required to observe children in a group setting. Students are required to observe children in a group setting. Approved for Local GE Area 7.
C-ID: ECE 230 Teaching in a Diverse Society
Advisory: ENGL C101, LIBR C100
54 hours lecture. This course examines the impact of various societal influences on the development of children's social identity, covering developmentally appropriate, inclusive, culturally relevant, and anti-bias approaches. Self-examination and reflection on issues related to social identity, stereotypes, and bias are explored. Students are required to observe children and environments where children are in a group setting. Approved for Local GE Area 6.
C-ID: ECE 200 Observation and Assessment
Advisory: CHDV C102, CHDV C104, CHDV C106, CHDV C125, ENGL C101, LIBR C100
54 hours lecture. This course focuses on the appropriate use of assessment and observation tools and strategies to document young children’s development and learning. This course emphasizes the use of findings to inform and plan learning environments and experiences. Recording strategies, rating systems, portfolios, and multiple assessment tools are explored, along with strategies for collaboration with families and professionals. Students are required to observe children in a group setting.
C-ID: ECE 210 Practicum in Early Childhood Education
Prerequisite: CHDV C100, CHDV C102, CHDV C104, CHDV C106, CHDV C121, CHDV C125, CHDV C200.
36 hours lecture/54 hours laboratory. In this course, students demonstrate developmentally appropriate early childhood planning and teaching competencies under the supervision of Early Childhood Education/Child Development (ECE/CD) faculty and other qualified early education professionals. Students utilize practical classroom experiences to make connections between theory and practice, develop professional behaviors, and build a comprehensive understanding of children and families. Reflective practice is emphasized as student teachers design, implement, and evaluate approaches, strategies, and techniques that promote development and learning. This course includes exploration of career pathways, professional development, and teacher responsibilities. Students work in a supervised field experience and are required to perform at least 54 hours of practicum work under the direct supervision of a Master Teacher (or someone who would qualify as a Master Teacher) in an instructor-approved infant/toddler or preschool program. School-age program placement is restricted to before- and after-school programs or kindergarten. Participation in a placement setting requires proof of tuberculosis (TB) and immunization clearance.
General Ed Requirements
Complete one of the following general education patterns:
Permit
STATE OF CALIFORNIA CHILD DEVELOPMENT PERMIT: The California Commission on Teacher Credentialing grants permits in accordance with the Child Development Permit Matrix. Applications are separate from Cerro Coso Community College and must be submitted to California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. Contact any Child Development faculty member or visit the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing website at http://www.ctc.ca.gov/ for more information regarding the Permit Matrix and Professional Growth Advisors. For all Permits, all course work must be completed with a grade of "C" or better.
Program Pathways
Official Catalog Copy
All classes needed for this degree are available at the following campuses: CC Online
Additionally, some of the general education courses needed to complete this major are available at all our locations.
See Counseling for specific help with enrolling and completing this major.
How can I afford it?
This degree requires 60.0 units and will likely take 4 semesters.
Approximate Total Costs
CA Residents
60.0 units
at $46 per unit
Equals $2,760 in tuition and fees
Plus approximately $3,600* for books and supplies
Total cost $6,360 for 4 semesters
Non-residents
60.0 units
at $329 per unit
Equals $19,740 in tuition and fees
Plus approximately $3,600* for books and supplies
Total cost $23,340 for 4 semesters
*This is an estimate. Actual costs will vary.
Need help? Financial Aid can help with fee waivers and scholarships and other aid. Make sure to fill out your FAFSA every January.
