Early Childhood Care and Education - Associate of Arts (Major Code - ECE)
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:
- Analyze public education, including the workings of a public school; current educational issues and the role, duties, and qualifications of educators; and educational theories and methods.
- Design developmentally appropriate curriculum and strategies that promote the advancement of physical health, intellect, communication, and creativity in young children.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the need to plan for and provide a learning environment that is responsive to each child's individual physical health, intellectual development, emotional well-being, and nutritional safety 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.
- Analyze the relationship of culture on children's self-concept and learning style.
Degree Map
GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS (AGEC-A) 35 CREDITS
Composition 6 credits
Mathematics 3-5 credits
| MAT 142 | College Mathematics** | 3 |
| or higher (3-5 credits) | |
Laboratory Sciences 8 credits
Arts 3 credits
| ART 120 | Appreciation of the Visual Arts | 3 |
| OR | |
| MUS 260 | Music Fundamentals through Experience | 3 |
Humanities 3 credits
Social and Behavioral Sciences 6 credits
General Education Electives 4-6 credits
General education electives must be chosen from the general education list. See www.cochise.edu/AGEC.
Six credits of arts, humanities, social and behavioral sciences, or general education electives must be chosen from the current listing of intensive writing courses. See www.cochise.edu/AGEC.
LANGUAGE REQUIREMENT 0-16 CREDITS
Non-English language second- or fourth-semester proficiency.
University non-English language requirements vary. Check with an advisor.
CORE CURRICULUM 27 CREDITS
| ECE 150 | Introduction to Early Childhood Care and Education* | 3 |
| ECE 152 | Observation, Behavior, and Guidance* | 3 |
| EDU 201 | Introduction to Education | 3 |
| EDU 222 | Introduction to Special Education* | 3 |
| EDU 226 | Cultural Diversity in Education* | 3 |
| MAT 154 | Mathematics for Elementary Education Majors I* | 3 |
| MAT 156 | Mathematics for Elementary Education Majors II* | 3 |
Select two of the following three (6 credits):
| ECE 155 | Children's Language Development* | 3 |
| ECE 156 | Children's Literature and Literacy* | 3 |
| ECE 160 | Early Childhood Growth and Development* | 3 |
ELECTIVES (AS NEEDED TO COMPLETE 62 CREDITS)
Elective courses must be transferable to the university or universities to which the student plans to transfer. See www.aztransfer.com.
TOTAL DEGREE REQUIREMENTS 62 CREDITS
Note: Some students will have more than 62 credits because of varying credits in language, math, and other courses; 62 credits represent the minimum for this degree.