Early Childhood Education, AA
Program Code: Early Childhood Emphasis-AA
This program can be completed 100% online.
Program Description
The Associate of Arts, Early Childhood Education is designed to serve students either as a stand-alone associate degree, or as a university transfer degree. The transfer option allows students to complete specific lower division courses at TMCC and obtain an Associate of Arts degree in early childhood education; and then transfer to UNR as a junior to complete a bachelor of science degree in human development and family studies.
Early Childhood Education Career Map
Recommended Course Schedule
| 1st semester | Units | |
|---|---|---|
| ECE 190 | Professionalism in Early Care and Education | 3 |
| ECE 250 | Introduction to Early Childhood Education | 3 |
| ENG 101 | Composition I or Composition Enhanced or Composition I for International and Multilingual Students | 3 |
| HDFS 201 | Lifespan Human Development | 3 |
| Mathematics 6 | 3 | |
| Semester Total | 15 | |
| 2nd semester | ||
| ECE 130 | Infancy | 3 |
| ECE 204 | Principles of Child Guidance | 3 |
| ECE 210 | Observation, Documentation and Assessment of Young Children | 3 |
| ENG 102 or ENG 114 | Composition II or Composition II For International and Multilingual Students | 3 |
| HDFS 232 | Diversity in Children | 3 |
| Semester Total | 15 | |
| 3rd semester | ||
| ECE 251 | Curriculum in Early Childhood Education | 3 |
| EDU 207 | Exploration of Children's Literature | 3 |
| HDFS 202 | Introduction to Families | 3 |
| NUTR 121 | Human Nutrition | 3 |
| SOC 101 | Principles of Sociology | 3 |
| Semester Total | 15 | |
| 4th semester | ||
| ECE 231 | Preschool Practicum: Early Childhood Lab | 3 |
| ECE 200 | The Exceptional Child | 3 |
| Fine Arts 5 | 3 | |
| Humanities/U.S. and Nevada Constitutions 6 | 3 | |
| Science 5 | 3 | |
| Semester Total | 15 | |
| Total Units | 60 | |
- 5
- 6
See program recommendations or requirements.
The AA in Early Childhood Education at TMCC is accredited by the Commission on the Accreditation of Early Childhood Higher Education Programs of the National Association for the Education of Young Children, www.naeyc.org. The accreditation term runs from July 2023 through July 2025.
Field Experience and Practicum Experience:
All ECE degrees require courses with field experience and practicum experience in early childhood classrooms with young children (birth to age eight). Field experiences and practicum experiences are focused student teaching experiences that require the student to demonstrate specific skills in an early childhood classroom with young children.
- Students can complete the practicum experience through TMCC or through their place of work if they work in a licensed childcare setting serving children aged 3-5.
- Students are required to have fingerprints, an approved background check, and a clear TB test prior to enrolling in courses with field experience or practicum experience. If a student fails to meet these requirements, or if the background check is not approved, the student will not be permitted to participate in courses with field experience or practicum experience.
- Students must meet all of the prerequisite/corequisite requirements, as well as have the practicum instructor’s approval prior to enrolling in a practicum course.
- Students must work with the practicum instructor to arrange a practicum schedule and placement site.
Accreditation
The Early Childhood Education, AA is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Early Childhood Associate Degree Accreditation (ECADA).
NAEYC/ECADA
1313 L St. N.W. Suite 500
Washington DC 20005
800-424-2460, Extension 8007
Program Prequirements
AA/AS degrees are designed for students who plan to transfer to a four-year college or university.
To earn an AA/AS degree, students must:
- Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 (see requirements for graduation.)
- Complete a minimum of 15 units within the college.
- Satisfy General Education requirements for the AA/AS.
- Have no financial or library obligation to the college.
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| General Education Requirements | ||
| English | 3-6 | |
| Fine Arts | 3 | |
| Humanities | 3 | |
Recommended: | ||
| American Experiences and Constitutional Change | ||
| Mathematics | 3 | |
Required: | ||
| Fundamentals of College Mathematics (or higher) | ||
| Science | 6 | |
Required: | ||
| Human Nutrition | ||
| Social Science | 3 | |
Required: | ||
| Principles of Sociology | ||
| Additional College Requirements | ||
| Diversity | ||
Required: | ||
| HDFS 232 | Diversity in Children | [3] |
| Foreign Language | 0 | |
| U.S. and Nevada Constitutions 3 | [3] | |
Recommended: | ||
| American Experiences and Constitutional Change | ||
| Degree Requirements 2 | ||
| ECE 204 | Principles of Child Guidance | 3 |
| ECE 250 | Introduction to Early Childhood Education | 3 |
| HDFS 201 | Lifespan Human Development | 3 |
| HDFS 202 | Introduction to Families | 3 |
| HDFS 232 | Diversity in Children | 3 |
| ECE 231 | Preschool Practicum: Early Childhood Lab | 3 |
| Emphasis Requirements: | ||
| ECE 130 | Infancy | 3 |
| ECE 190 | Professionalism in Early Care and Education | 3 |
| ECE 200 | The Exceptional Child | 3 |
| ECE 210 | Observation, Documentation and Assessment of Young Children | 3 |
| ECE 251 | Curriculum in Early Childhood Education | 3 |
| EDU 207 | Exploration of Children's Literature | 3 |
| Total Units | 60 | |
- 1
If you place directly into ENG 102 or ENG 114, the additional 3 required units will become elective credit.
- 2
Students must maintain a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 (C) or better, and a minimum grade of "C" must be earned in each degree and emphasis requirement.
- 3
Course may also count toward degree requirements. Please consult with Academic Advisement.
- 4
Students must complete the practicum experience through TMCC.
Program Outcomes
Students completing the degree will:
PSLO1: Demonstrate competence in the knowledge and skills defined in the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Early Childhood Associate Degree Accreditation (ECADA) Standards and Competencies for Early Childhood Educators
- Child Development and Learning in Context
- Family-Teacher Partnerships and Community Connections
- Child Observation, Documentation, and Assessment
- Developmentally, Culturally, and Linguistically Appropriate Teaching Practices
- Knowledge, Application, and Integration of Academic Content in the Early Childhood Curriculum
- Professionalism as an Early Childhood Educator
PSLO2: Demonstrate proficiency as a preschool teacher in an early childhood program.
PSLO3: Demonstrate skill in oral and written communication related to the study and practice of early childhood education.
Transfer Agreements
AA/AS degrees are designed for students who plan to transfer to a four-year college or university. General information about general transfer agreements can be found on the Academic Advisement website. Students who intend to transfer to another college or university should speak with a TMCC Academic Advisor and consult with that institution. The transfer institution determines how TMCC courses will transfer. TMCC has agreements with the following institutions towards a bachelor's degree in the same or similar discipline.
