Program Information
Learn more about the Early Childhood Education program.
General Help
Ask general questions at our support center.
Course Sequence
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Field of Interest
The Certificate of Completion (CCL) in Foundations of Early Childhood Education is designed to prepare students with foundational knowledge regarding the growth and development of the young child. Topics include cognitive and physical development of the young child, language acquisition, curriculum development, health and safety guidelines, business procedures, and family/community relationship building. This CCL is embedded (can be used to fulfill part of the requirements) in a second available CCL, Early Childhood Education. Both CCLs are embedded (can be used to fulfill requirements) in the Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Early Childhood Education.
Details
Important information you’ll need when applying for admission:
- Field of Interest
- Education
- Type
- Certificate of Completion (CCL)
- Academic Plan
- Foundations of Early Childhood Education (CER)
- Academic Plan Code
- 5054
- Total Credits Required
- 18-19
- Catalog Year
- 2024-2025
- Effective Term
- Fall 2024
- Notes
Students must earn a grade of C or better in all courses within the program.
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.
What You’ll Learn
This pathway map will help you gain the expertise needed to:
- Identify developmentally, culturally, and linguistically appropriate learning experiences that promote each child's growth and development in the following domains: Social-Emotional, Physical, Cognitive, and Language and Literacy.
- Describe the components necessary for a safe, caring, inclusive, and healthy learning environment according to best practices and local, state, and national standards.
- Analyze children's learning and development through observation and documentation, using standards and best practices.
- Establish reciprocal, culturally responsive relationships with families and communities.
- Practice communication skills to advocate for children and their families.
- Practice ethical and professional standards and behavior.
- Advocate for an ethical, equitable, diverse, and effective early childhood education profession.
- Engage in reflective practice and continuous learning through education and research.
- Collaborate with peers to problem-solve within early childhood education.
Career Opportunities
Successful completion of this certificate 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 certificate. 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.
Preschool Teachers
$35,476 Show expanded career information for Preschool Teachers
Special Education Teaching Assistants
$35,073 Show expanded career information for Special Education Teaching Assistants
Teaching Assistants
$35,073 Show expanded career information for Teaching Assistants
- Teaching Assistants, All Other
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.
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
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CFS/ECH176 or CFS235 or EED205 |
Child Development or Developing Child: Theory into Practice, Prenatal to Age Eight or The Developing Child: Prenatal to Age Eight | Critical course Gateway course | SB or SB or SB | 3 | |
| (CFS123 and CFS125 and ECH280) or EED215 |
(Health and Nutrition in Early Childhood Settings and Safety In Early Childhood Settings and Food Experiences With Young Children) or Early Learning: Health, Safety, Nutrition and Physical Fitness | 3 | |||
| (CFS/ECH271 and CFS282 and ECH282) or EED212 |
(Arranging the Environment and Inclusion of Young Children with Special Needs and Discipline/Guidance Of Child Groups) or Guidance, Effective Interactions and the Environment | 3 |
Term 2
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EED200 | Foundations of Early Childhood Education | Gateway course | 3 | ||
| EED222 | Introduction to the Exceptional Young Child: Birth to Age Eight | C, SB | 3 | ||
| (CFS101AH and ECH281) or ECH128 or EED210 |
(Art Activities for the Young Child and Movement/Music for the Young Child) or Early Learning: Play and the Arts or Creative and Cognitive Play | 2–3 | |||
| EED260 or EED261 or CFS/ECH284AA |
Early Childhood Infant/Toddler Internship or Early Childhood Preschool Internship or Early Childhood Teaching Internship | 1 |
Part-time Sequence
Part-time status is 11 credit hours or less.
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
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CFS/ECH176 or CFS235 or EED205 |
Child Development or Developing Child: Theory into Practice, Prenatal to Age Eight or The Developing Child: Prenatal to Age Eight | Critical course Gateway course | SB or SB or SB | 3 | |
| (CFS123 and CFS125 and ECH280) or EED215 |
(Health and Nutrition in Early Childhood Settings and Safety In Early Childhood Settings and Food Experiences With Young Children) or Early Learning: Health, Safety, Nutrition and Physical Fitness | 3 |
Term 2
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (CFS/ECH271 and CFS282 and ECH282) or EED212 |
(Arranging the Environment and Inclusion of Young Children with Special Needs and Discipline/Guidance Of Child Groups) or Guidance, Effective Interactions and the Environment | 3 | |||
| EED200 | Foundations of Early Childhood Education | Gateway course | 3 |
Term 3
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EED222 | Introduction to the Exceptional Young Child: Birth to Age Eight | C, SB | 3 | ||
| (CFS101AH and ECH281) or ECH128 or EED210 |
(Art Activities for the Young Child and Movement/Music for the Young Child) or Early Learning: Play and the Arts or Creative and Cognitive Play | 2–3 | |||
| EED260 or EED261 or CFS/ECH284AA |
Early Childhood Infant/Toddler Internship or Early Childhood Preschool Internship or Early Childhood Teaching Internship | 1 |
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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
Gateway Course = Generally the first major-specific course in a pathway.
Critical Course = A course that is highly predictive of future success in a pathway.
- C = Cultural Diversity in the US
- SB = Social-Behavioral Sciences
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 (https://aztransmac2.asu.edu/cgi-bin/WebObjects/MCCCD.woa/wa/freeForm?id=188746).
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.