Mesa Community College

Career Profile

The demand for quality early care and education professionals will continue to increase over the next five years and beyond. This occupation has a high turnover rate. While opportunities for advancement are limited and as childcare workers gain experience, some may advance to supervisory or administrative positions in large childcare centers or preschools. With a bachelor’s degree, workers may become preschool teachers or get certified to teach in public or private schools. Some workers set up their own childcare businesses.

Early Care Educators:

• Care for children under five years old
• Interact regularly with children, parents, and coworkers
• Work early morning, day, or early evening hours
• Have an associate or bachelor’s degree
• Need to know CPR

Available Associate Degrees and Certificates

Degree / Certificate	Title	Required Courses
Associate in Applied Science (AAS)	Early Childhood Administration and Management	Required Courses
Certificate of Completion (CCL)	Early Care Specialist	Required Courses

Transfer to a University

Although the vocational degrees listed above are designed for immediate use in the field without a bachelor’s degree, many of the courses can apply toward university transfer into Early Childhood Education degree programs leading to birth - 3rd grade teacher certification.  Additional coursework beyond an AAS required for university transfer includes the areas of math, science and the humanities.  Other prerequisites may need to be covered, depending on the university.  Meet with the MCC Education Studies Department adviser to select the best path for your early childhood education career goals.

At MCC, get an...	Transfer to...	To get a...
Associate in Arts - Elementary Education	Arizona State University	Bachelor of Arts in Education in Early Childhood Education

Meet with an Advisor

Before signing up for classes, you’ll want to meet with an academic advisor. Together, you’ll lay out a program and career path that suits you best. This step is essential to your academic success, so don’t skip it, okay?

Advising for the Early Care Education program is available through the Education Studies department. You can also contact Advisement & Registration Services for general advising. Both will help you determine the exact courses you need to get the education you’re looking for.