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:
- Design developmentally appropriate curriculum and strategies that promote the advancement of young children with diverse abilities and cultures.
- Analyze and examine the multiple historical educational theories and methods, philosophical, and social foundations as well as the contemporary trends in early childhood.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the need to plan for and provide a supportive learning environment that is responsive to each child's individual needs.
- Explain the importance of establishing a positive, productive, and reciprocal relationship with children's families.
- Demonstrate an understanding of special education, current practices, and related educational theories.
- Analyze and articulate the relationship of cultural values to the formation of the child's self-concept and learning style.
Degree Map
GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS (AGEC-A) 35 -37 CREDITS
Composition 6 credits
Mathematics 3-5 credits
| MAT 142 | College Mathematics*** | 3 |
| OR | |
| MAT 142L | College Mathematics with Support Lab* | 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 | Effective Interactions* | 3 |
| ECE 160 | Early Childhood Growth and Development* | 3 |
| ECE 170 | Curriculum Development and Strategies for Early Childhood 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 |
Choose one of the following:
| ECE 155 | Children's Language Development* | 3 |
| ECE 156 | Children's Literature and Literacy* | 3 |
| ECE 165 | Child Observation and Assessment | 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.