About Early Childhood Education

This degree is intended for students who plan to complete a bachelor’s degree in a similar major at a CSU or articulated private college or university program. 

Students completing the degree are guaranteed admission to the CSU system, but not to a particular campus or major; they may also be guaranteed admission to participating private institutions. A student graduating with an Associate in Science in Early Childhood Education for Transfer (Early Childhood Education AS-T) may transfer to complete a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education, Child and Adolescent Development, Family and Consumer Sciences, Human Communication, Human Services, Liberal Studies or related field.

Explore Early Childhood Education

Studying Child Development and Family Studies can lead to a variety of different jobs or career paths. Below are just some of the many options you will have!

  • Early Childhood Teacher
  • Director
  • Child Development Professor

Program Options 

Click on the degree or certificate you're interested in earning to see a sample map of courses to take to complete your goal from start to finish. 

Please note that the course maps provided are just an example to help you get started. Please meet with a counselor to personalize the plan to you and your Academic goals. 

View Requirements in College Catalog

Semester 1 

Course Number Course Title Units Notes
CDEV 65 Orientation to ECE Principles and Practice 3  
CDEV 67 Child, Family, and Community 3  
ENGL 1A + 1AS University-Parallel Reading and Composition + Support 4 - 6   
CSU Area E Lifelong Learning 3  
CSU Area C1 or C2 Arts or Humanities 3  

Total Units: 16 - 18 

Semester 2

Course Number Course Title Units Notes
CDEV 53 Child Growth and Development 3  
CDEV 66 Introduction to Early Childhood Curriculum 3  
CSU Area C1 Art 3   
CSU Area B4 See Counselor 3 - 5  

Total Units: 14 - 16

Semester 3 (Summer) 

Course Number Course Title Units Notes
CSU Area C2 Humanities 3  

Total Units: 13

Semester 4 

Course Number Course Title Units Notes
CDEV 72 Supervised Field Experience in Early Childhood Education 3  
CDEV 73 Observing and Assessing Young Children 3  
POLS 1 American Government 3  
CSU Area A3 Critical Thinking 3 - 4  
CSU Area B2 Life Sciences 3 - 4   
CSU Area B3 Laboratory Activity 1  

Total Units: 16 - 18

Semester 5 

Course Number Course Title Units Notes
CDEV 92 Health, Safety, and Nutrition in Early Childhood Programs 3  
CDEV 93 Cultural Diversity in Early Childhood Education 3  
CSU Area A1 Oral Communication 3  
CSU Area B1 Physical Sciences 3  
CSU U.S. History Graduation Requirement See Counselor 3  

Total Units: 15

View Requirements in College Catalog

Semester 1 

Course Number Course Title Units
CDEV 53 Child Growth and Development 3
CDEV 65 Orientation to ECE Principles and Practice 3
CDEV 66 Introduction to Early Childhood Curriculum 3
CDEV 67 Child, Family, and Community 3

Total Units: 12

View Requirements in College Catalog

Semester 1 

Course Number Course Title Units
CDEV 53 Child Growth and Development 3
CDEV 65 Orientation to ECE Principles and Practice 3
CDEV 66 Introduction to Early Childhood Curriculum 3
CDEV 67 Child, Family, and Community 3

Total Units: 12

Semester 2

Course Number Course Title Units
CDEV 90 Early Childhood Administration I 3
CDEV 91 Early Childhood Administration II 3

Total Units: 6

View Requirements in College Catalog

Semester 1 

Course Number Course Title Units
CDEV 53 Child Growth and Development 3
CDEV 65 Orientation to ECE Principles and Practice 3
CDEV 66 Introduction to Early Childhood Curriculum 3
CDEV 67 Child, Family, and Community 3

Total Units: 12

Semester 2

Course Number Course Title Units
CDEV 61, 62, or 85 Infant/Toddler Growth and Development, Infant/Toddler Care in Group Settings, or Relationship-based Infant/Toddler Care 3
CDEV 61, 62, or 85 Infant/Toddler Growth and Development, Infant/Toddler Care in Group Settings, or Relationship-based Infant/Toddler Care 3

Total Units: 6

View Requirements in College Catalog

Semester 1 

Course Number Course Title Units
CDEV 53 Child Growth and Development 3
CDEV 65 Orientation to ECE Principles and Practice 3
CDEV 66 Introduction to Early Childhood Curriculum 3
CDEV 67 Child, Family, and Community 3

Total Units: 12

Semester 2

Course Number Course Title Units
CDEV 72, 73, 92, or 93 Supervised Field Experience in Early Childhood Education,  Observing and Assessing Young Children, Health, Safety and Nutrition in Early Childhood Programs, or Cultural Diversity in Early Childhood Education 3
Choose 3 units Depth elective courses-- 3

Total Units: 6

View Requirements in College Catalog

Semester 1 

Course Number Course Title Units
CDEV 74 Children with Special Needs 3
CDEV 53 Child Growth and Development 3
CDEV 65 Orientation to ECE Principles and Practice 3
CDEV 66 Introduction to Early Childhood Curriculum 3

Total Units: 12

Semester 2

Course Number Course Title Units
CDEV 67 Child, Family, and Community 3
CDEV 91(3 units), 41T(1 unit), 99(1 unit), 124(1 unit), 125(1 unit) See catalog 3

Total Units: 6

View Requirements in College Catalog

Semester 1 

Course Number Course Title Units
CDEV 53 Child Growth and Development 3
CDEV 65 Orientation to ECE Principles and Practice 3
CDEV 66 Introduction to Early Childhood Curriculum 3
CDEV 67 Child, Family, and Community 3

Total Units: 12

Semester 2

Course Number Course Title Units
CDEV 100 Violence and Its Impact on Children and Their Families 3
CDEV 101 Intro to Violence Intervention 3

Total Units: 6

Overall Total Units: 18 

Transfer Options

The Early Childhood programs are aligned with CSU requirements for transfer. Have questions about transfer? Visit the Transfer Center for help, transfer information, and/or to speak with college representatives.