Program Description
Do you want to be an exceptional teacher for children? By studying Early Childhood Education at SPSCC, you will be a part of a diverse group of students who want to be part of teaching children between ages birth and 8. You will work with professors and teachers who are long-time and current practitioners of early childhood care in classes that are rooted both in theory and in practical, real-world experience.
The Early Childhood Education Associate in Applied Science Degree is designed to provide persons interested in working with children a systematic study of the care, development and education of children from birth to age eight. Students gain the knowledge and competency necessary for a professional career working with young children.
Career Opportunities
Graduates with an Associate in Applied Science Degree in Early Childhood Education can qualify for positions as preschool teacher, child care director, child care program supervisor, child care provider, non-certified early childhood teacher, or elementary school classroom aide. Graduates may be employed by child care centers, cooperative preschools, family child care homes, parks and recreation departments, private preschools, public schools and state and federally funded preschools.
- Child, Family, and School Social Worker
- Education and Childcare Administrator
- Kindergarten Teacher
- Childcare Worker
South Puget Sound Community College believes that all students need to develop a broad range of abilities that will not only make them more effective in their professional pursuits but will enhance their capacity to relate well to others in their daily lives. At the end of this program students will:
At the completion for the Early Childhood Education Program, the successful student will be able to:
- Critically thinking in order to analyze, evaluate and solve problems using multiple methodologies
- Having multicultural awareness thru exhibiting an understanding of the ways economic, political, social, and culture factors impact identity and interactions
- Computation through identification, understanding and communicating the differences between quantitative and qualitative date and be able to explain results
- Demonstrating ethics through identifying complex ethical issues and recognizing and evaluating interrelationships of related issues
- Communicating effectively through written and verbal communications skills
The SPSCC college-wide abilities are embedded into each program:
- Analytical Reasoning
- Effective Communication
- Information Literacy
- Multicultural Awareness
- Social Responsibility
Students will also demonstrate an understanding of the key elements of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) standards for Early Childhood Professional Preparation (www.naeyc.org) and the Washington State Department of Early Learning Core Competencies for Early Care and Education Professionals (www.dcyf.wa.gov/publications-library/eps_0023)
Courses by Quarter (Pathway Map)
Check with your advisor to determine where you will start. Advisors must approve changes to academic plan.
Pre-College Level
Course List | Code | Title | Credits |
| 1 - 7.5 |
| Applied Math I | |
| Applied Math II | |
| Contextualized Math I | |
| 1 - 10 |
| ESOL Level I (Beginning Literacy) | |
| ESOL Level II (Low Beginning) | |
| ESOL Level III (High Beginning) | |
| ESOL Level IV (Low Intermediate) | |
| ESOL Level V (High Intermediate) | |
| ESOL Level VI (Advanced) | |
| ABE Language Arts III (Low Intermediate Language Arts) | |
| ABE Language Arts IV (High Intermediate Language Arts) | |
| ABE Language Arts V (Adult Secondary Level Language Arts) | |
| MATH 092 | Mathematical Reasoning | 5 |
| or ABE 065 | Contextualized Math II |
| ENGL 090 | Integrated Reading and Writing I | 5 |
| or ENGL 095 | Integrated Reading and Writing II |
| CCS 101 | Pathways to Success | 3 |
College Level
This degree is a total of 94 - 95 credits.
CCS 101 Pathways to Success is a required course for all students. Skip if already taken in Pre-College.
Advising Notes
***Required indicates that students must take one of the specific courses listed. Any substitution would require Advisor and Department approval.
***Recommended indicates that Pathway faculty recommend the courses listed, but other courses may fulfill the degree requirement. Students should consult with Advisor about additional course options.
- Contact professor one (1) quarter in advance of taking Practicum 2 and 3 to ensure you are properly enrolled.
- Students will complete a Background check, TB test, MMR vaccine, First Aid/CPR as part of this program per state requirements.
- Check online schedule for designated start and end dates of shared courses, as dates may vary.
- The Early Childhood Education AAS degree can be completed in three years attending evenings only or in two years with a combination of day and evening courses. The majority of ECED and EDUC courses meet in the evening. Practicums (ECED& 120 Practicum-Nurturing Relationship, ECED 205 Practicum II and ECED 250 Practicum III) require daytime hours. Many ECED and EDUC courses require observation hours in addition to class time. See course outlines for details. Students can enter the program any quarter but are strongly encouraged to meet with an ECE faculty for detailed information necessary for planning their degree. Contact (360) 596-5387 for advising day information.
- Students planning to transfer to a four-year college or university should work closely with an advisor to ensure maximum transfer of credits.
- ECED& 107 Health/Safety/Nutrition requires CPR/First Aid and a Food Handlers Cards be obtained while taking this class.
- To successfully complete the practicum experiences in ECED& 120 Practicum-Nurturing Relationship, ECED 205 Practicum II and ECED 250 Practicum III, students will volunteer in a Head Start, school or child care center which will require a Department of Early Learning portable background check and requires a tuberculosis test.
- ECED/EDUC courses may be taken in any order, except ECED 205 Practicum II, ECED 250 Practicum III and ECED 238 Professionalism. It is recommended but not necessary to take ECED& 105 Introduction to Early Childhood Education first. It is recommended but not necessary to get the ECE stackable certificates while obtaining your ECE degree.
- Grades of “C” or better must be obtained in all courses with an EDUC or ECED prefix to apply to the ECE degree or certificates.
- It is possible to receive up to 12 credits toward the degree for students having a Child Development Associate (C.D.A.) credential. See advisor for details.
- An alternative pathway is the Associate in Applied Science (AAS-T) degree which can be used to transfer to many four year colleges and universities.
Pathway Notes
Course List | Code | Title | Credits |
| ECED& 105 | Introduction to Early Childhood Education 1 | 5 |
| ECED& 107 | Health/Safety/Nutrition 1 | 5 |
| ECED& 120 | Practicum-Nurturing Relationship 1 | 2 |
| CCS 101 | Pathways to Success | 3 |
| EDUC& 115 | Child Development 2 | 5 |
| ENGL 098 | Transitional English Composition | 5 |
| or ENGL& 101 | English Composition I |
| EDUC& 130 | Guiding Behavior 2 | 3 |
| ECED& 180 | Lang/Literacy Develop 3/W | 3 |
| MATH 101 | Technical Mathematics I 4 | 5 |
| or CMATH 107 | Clippers Math In Society |
| 5 |
| Psychology of Human Relations: Diversity | |
| Multicultural America: Diversity | |
| Interpersonal Communication: Diversity | |
| Small Group Communication: Diversity | |
| Intercultural Communication: Diversity | |
| ECED& 170 | Environments-Young Child 3/Sp | 3 |
| ECED& 190 | Observation/Assessment | 3 |
| EDUC 240 | Diversity In Education: Diversity F | 5 |
| EDUC& 204 | Inclusive Education F | 5 |
| EDUC& 150 | Child/Family/Community 3/F | 3 |
| ECED 145 | Fine Arts Curriculum for Young Children F | 3 |
| ECED 205 | Practicum II W | 3 |
| ECED 141 | Math and Science Curriculum for Young Children W | 3 |
| ECED& 160 | Curriculum Development 3/W | 5 |
| 3-5 |
| Child Care Basics Su | |
| Infants/Toddlers Care F/Sp | |
| Family Child Care F | |
| Home Visiting and Family Engagement Sp | |
| Administrative Early Learning Program Su/W | |
| School Age Care W | |
| Lifespan Psychology | |
| Sociology of the Family: Diversity | |
| ECED 250 | Practicum III Sp | 4 |
| ECED 238 | Professionalism Sp | 3 |
| 5 |
| Interpersonal Communication: Diversity | |
| Public Speaking | |
| Small Group Communication: Diversity | |
| Intercultural Communication: Diversity | |
| 3-5 |
| Child Care Basics Su | |
| Infants/Toddlers Care F/Sp | |
| Family Child Care F | |
| Home Visiting and Family Engagement Sp | |
| Administrative Early Learning Program Su/W | |
| School Age Care W | |
| Lifespan Psychology | |
| Sociology of the Family: Diversity | |
| 3-5 |
| Child Care Basics Su | |
| Infants/Toddlers Care F/Sp | |
| Family Child Care F | |
| Home Visiting and Family Engagement Sp | |
| Administrative Early Learning Program Su/W | |
| School Age Care W | |
| Lifespan Psychology | |
| Sociology of the Family: Diversity | |