Associate in Arts, Emphasis in Educational Studies Early Childhood

Early Childhood Education
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Program Information

Learn more about the Early Childhood Education program.

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Course Sequence

Field of Interest

Field of Interest: Education

The Associate in Arts (AA), Emphasis in Educational Studies Early Childhood provides the first two years of a four-year curriculum that emphasizes community, early childhood, and youth education. This program of study is designed to provide students with a foundation of knowledge in educational practices for use in the community setting. Upon completion of the Bachelor of Arts in Education, students may work with children and youth outside of traditional public school classroom settings. The AA, Educational Studies Early Childhood does not provide a pathway for students seeking Arizona Department of Education teacher certification.

Details

  Important information you’ll need when applying for admission:

Field of Interest
Education
Type
Associate in Arts (AA)
Academic Plan
Associate in Arts, Emphasis in Educational Studies Early Childhood (DEG)
Academic Plan Code
8134
Total Credits Required
60-64
Catalog Year
2026-2027
Notes

Students must earn a grade of C or better in all courses within the program.
++ indicates that any suffixed course may be selected.

For some employment and field experiences (including internship courses), students will be required to have a current Identity Verified Print (IVP) Fingerprint Clearance Card and a current TB test.

This emphasis is intended to align with the degree requirements for the following programs:
ASU (Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College), Educational Studies (Early Childhood Studies), BAE

Refer to the MCCCD University Transfer Partner website for more information: ASU .

What You’ll Learn

This pathway map will help you gain the expertise needed to:

  1. Evaluate developmentally, culturally, and linguistically appropriate learning experiences that promote growth and development in the following domains: Social-Emotional, Physical, Cognitive, and Language and Literacy.
  2. Identify the components necessary for a safe, caring, inclusive, and healthy learning environment according to best practices and local, state, and national standards.
  3. Analyze learning and development through observation and documentation, using standards and best practices.
  4. Identify reciprocal, culturally responsive relationships between educational professionals, families and communities.
  5. Develop communication skills necessary for education and community advocacy.
  6. Practice ethical and professional standards and behavior.
  7. Advocate for ethical, equitable, diverse, and effective community, early childhood, and youth education professions.
  8. Engage in reflective practice and continuous learning through education and research.
  9. Develop problem solving skills relevant to community, early childhood, and youth education.
  10. Apply relevant knowledge, skills, and habits of mind to seek career opportunities in the field.

Career Opportunities

Successful completion of this degree may lead to employment in a variety of different occupations and industries. Below are examples of related occupations with associated Maricopa County-based annual median wages* for this degree. Education requirements vary for the occupations listed below, so you may need further education or degrees in order to qualify for some of these jobs and earn the related salaries. Please visit with an academic advisor and/or program director for additional information. You can click on any occupation to view the detail regarding education level, wages, and employment information.

Education Administrators for Preschool and Childcare Programs
$51,947
Elementary Special Education Teachers
$53,118
Kindergarten Special Education Teachers
$53,118
Kindergarten Teachers
$57,104
Preschool Teachers
$35,003
Recreation Workers
$35,826
Secondary School Career and Technical Education Teachers
$63,347
Special Education Preschool Teachers
$61,292
Teaching Assistants
$35,786
* Career and wage information provided by Lightcast using data, reports, and forecasts which are generated using government data sources and Lightcast’s proprietary analytical processes. Lightcast’s data covers multiple classes of workers including QCEW, non-QCEW, and those who are self-employed. Disclaimer

Course Sequence by Term

The following is the suggested course sequence by term. Please keep in mind:

  • Students should meet with an academic advisor to develop an individual education plan that meets their academic and career goals. Use the Degree Progress Report Tool in your Student Center to manage your plan.
  • The course sequence is laid out by suggested term and may be affected when students enter the program at different times of the year.
  • Initial course placement is determined by current district placement measures and/or completion of 100-200 level course and/or program requirements.
  • Degree and transfer seeking students may be required to successfully complete a MCCCD First Year Experience Course (FYE) within the first two semesters at a MCCCD College. Courses include FYE101 and FYE103. Course offerings will vary by college. See an academic, program, or faculty advisor for details.

Full-time Sequence

Full-time status is 12 credits to 18 credits per semester.

A list of additional requirements for this pathway map
Arizona General Education Curriculum (AGEC)

Students pursuing an Associate for transfer to a university or a MCCCD bachelor's degree should note the following changes to the Arizona General Education Curriculum (AGEC) requirements, effective Catalog Years 2026-27 and beyond. Students are strongly encouraged to visit with an academic advisor to assess whether transitioning to the Reimagined AGEC requirements aligns with educational goals and to ensure completion of all graduation requirements.

Effective Catalog Year 2026-27 and beyond, AGEC Requirements will include:

  • Oral Communication [OCM] (3 Credits)
  • Quantitative Reasoning [QNR] (3 Credits)
  • Institutions in the Americas [IAM] (3 Credits)

Effective Catalog Year 2026-27 and beyond, AGEC Requirements will no longer include:

  • Literacy and Critical Inquiry [L] (3 Credits)
  • Computers/Statistics/Quantitative Applications [CS] (3-5 Credits)
  • Cultural, Global, and Historical Awareness Areas [C, G, H] (0-3 Credits)
  • Subject Options -AGEC-S only (8 Credits)

For a full outline of the Reimagined AGEC Requirements, please visit Maricopa’s AGEC Webpage.

Note: Because you are viewing this pathway map on a mobile device, some columns below have been hidden. To view all columns, please rotate your device or view this page on a device with a larger screen.

Term 1

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 1
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
EED215 or
(CFS123 and
CFS125)		 Early Learning: Health, Safety, Nutrition and Physical Fitness or (Health and Nutrition in Early Childhood Settings and Safety in Early Childhood Settings) 2–3
ENG101 or
ENG107		 First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL Critical course FYC, WCM or FYC, WCM 3
MAT14+ College Mathematics OR Higher mathematical level Quantitative Reasoning [QNR] approved General Education course with a MAT prefix except MAT206. QNR 3–6
FYE101 or
FYE103		 Introduction to College, Career and Personal Success or Exploration of College, Career and Personal Success 1–3
Elective General Elective 0–3

Term 2

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 2
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
ENG102 or
ENG108		 First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL FYC, WCM or WCM, FYC 3
NSI Natural Sciences NSI 4
AHM Arts and Humanities EDU/ENH291 recommended. AHM 3
Elective General Elective 0–3

Term 3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 3
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
AHM Arts and Humanities EED225 recommended. AHM 3
OCM Oral Communication COM225 recommended OCM 3
SCB Social and Behavioral Sciences CFS/ECH176, CFS205, or EED222 recommended. SCB 3
Elective General Elective 0–3

Term 4

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 4
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
IAM Institutions of the Americas IAM 3
NSI Natural Sciences NSI 4
SCB Social and Behavioral Sciences CFS/ECH176, CFS205, or EED222 recommended. SCB 3
Elective General Elective 3

Part-time Sequence

Part-time status is 11 credit hours or less.

A list of additional requirements for this pathway map
Arizona General Education Curriculum (AGEC)

Students pursuing an Associate for transfer to a university or a MCCCD bachelor's degree should note the following changes to the Arizona General Education Curriculum (AGEC) requirements, effective Catalog Years 2026-27 and beyond. Students are strongly encouraged to visit with an academic advisor to assess whether transitioning to the Reimagined AGEC requirements aligns with educational goals and to ensure completion of all graduation requirements.

Effective Catalog Year 2026-27 and beyond, AGEC Requirements will include:

  • Oral Communication [OCM] (3 Credits)
  • Quantitative Reasoning [QNR] (3 Credits)
  • Institutions in the Americas [IAM] (3 Credits)

Effective Catalog Year 2026-27 and beyond, AGEC Requirements will no longer include:

  • Literacy and Critical Inquiry [L] (3 Credits)
  • Computers/Statistics/Quantitative Applications [CS] (3-5 Credits)
  • Cultural, Global, and Historical Awareness Areas [C, G, H] (0-3 Credits)
  • Subject Options -AGEC-S only (8 Credits)

For a full outline of the Reimagined AGEC Requirements, please visit Maricopa’s AGEC Webpage.

Note: Because you are viewing this pathway map on a mobile device, some columns below have been hidden. To view all columns, please rotate your device or view this page on a device with a larger screen.

Term 1

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 1
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
EED215 or
(CFS123 and
CFS125)		 Early Learning: Health, Safety, Nutrition and Physical Fitness or (Health and Nutrition in Early Childhood Settings and Safety in Early Childhood Settings) 2–3
ENG101 or
ENG107		 First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL Critical course FYC, WCM or FYC, WCM 3
FYE101 or
FYE103		 Introduction to College, Career and Personal Success or Exploration of College, Career and Personal Success 1–3

Term 2

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 2
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
ENG102 or
ENG108		 First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL FYC, WCM or WCM, FYC 3
MAT14+ College Mathematics OR Higher mathematical level Quantitative Reasoning [QNR] approved General Education course with a MAT prefix except MAT206. QNR 3–6

Term 3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 3
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
NSI Natural Sciences NSI 4
Elective General Elective 3

Term 4

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 4
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
AHM Arts and Humanities EDU/ENH291 recommended. AHM 3
OCM Oral Communication COM225 recommended OCM 3

Term 5

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 5
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
SCB Social and Behavioral Sciences CFS/ECH176, CFS205, or EED222 recommended. SCB 3
Elective General Elective 0–3

Term 6

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 6
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
AHM Arts and Humanities EED225 recommended. AHM 3
IAM Institutions of the Americas IAM 3

Term 7

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 7
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
SCB Social and Behavioral Sciences CFS/ECH176, CFS205, or EED222 recommended. SCB 3
NSI Natural Sciences NSI 4

Term 8

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 8
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
Elective General Elective 0–3
Elective General Elective 0–3

General Electives

Select additional courses 100-level or higher to complete a minimum of 60 semester credits but no more than a total of 64 semester credits. Consult with a faculty advisor, program director, and/or academic advisor to identify coursework that best aligns with academic and professional goals.

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Program Information

Learn more about and find contact information for the Early Childhood Education program.

General Help

Ask general questions over the phone at 480-461-7400 or via online chat.

Course Area Key

Critical Course = A course that is highly predictive of future success in a pathway.

  • AHM = Arts and Humanities
  • FYC = First-Year Composition
  • IAM = Institutions of the Americas
  • NSI = Natural Sciences
  • OCM = Oral Communication
  • QNR = Quantitative Reasoning
  • SCB = Social and Behavioral Sciences
  • WCM = Written Communication

Disclaimer

Students must earn a grade of C or better for all courses required within the program.

Course Sequence total credits may differ from the program information located on the MCCCD curriculum website due to program and system design.

At Maricopa, we strive to provide you with accurate and current information about our degree and certificate offerings. Due to the dynamic nature of the curriculum process, course and program information is subject to change. As a result, the course list associated with this degree or certificate on this site does not represent a contract, nor does it guarantee course availability. If you are interested in pursuing this degree or certificate, meet with an academic advisor to discuss the requirements at your college for the appropriate catalog year.

View MCCCD’s official curriculum documentation for additional details regarding the requirements of this award at https://aztransmac2.asu.edu/cgi-bin/WebObjects/acres.woa/wa/customView?id=16461802.

Previous Catalog Years

The pathway map presented above is for the current catalog year and is the intended pathway map for new students. All previous catalog years for this pathway map are available at the link below.

Previous catalog years for Associate in Arts (AA) in Associate in Arts, Emphasis in Educational Studies Early Childhood