Early Childhood Education

Child and Adolescent Development, Associate Degree for Transfer

The Child and Adolescent Development Associate Degree for Transfer provides a comprehensive understanding of a broad range of human development domains — including social, cognitive, physical, and culture — from birth through adolescence. The degree provides broad undergraduate preparation for students interested in child and adolescent care, as well as a variety of youth-related social service careers.

The degree is designed for students who intend to work with children, youth, and their families in social work, community-based settings, in preparation for elementary or secondary education services, counseling, developmental psychology, and nonprofit agencies.

This AA-T degree will prepare students for transfer to a similar CSU degree, as well as graduate study in disciplines such as child development, counseling, developmental psychology, and social work.

Program Learning Outcomes: Upon completion of the program, students will be able to assess how socialization and culture impact the lives of children and families. Students will also be able to evaluate different perspectives that affect the growth and socialization experiences of infants, children, and adolescents, as well as able to examine the physical, social-emotional, cognitive, language, and cultural influences on development.

Early Childhood Education, Associate Degree for Transfer

The Santa Monica College AS-T in Early Childhood Education provides students with a strong academic foundation in the field and prepares them for upper-division baccalaureate study. This coursework will satisfy most of the lower-division Early Childhood Education requirements at many institutions. This degree is intended for students who are interested in Early Childhood Education and are planning on transferring to a four-year university.

Early Childhood Education professionals adhere to the guidelines, as well as the Professional Code of Ethics of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) providing developmentally appropriate learning opportunities for the enhancement of the physical, intellectual, social, emotional, and creative domains of young children.

Completion of this degree will likely give the student priority admission consideration in the majors at many California State University campuses. In addition, the student will need to complete no more than 60 semester/90 quarter CSU units of coursework after transfer to complete the degree. Students considering transfer to a UC, private, or out-of-state university should consult a counselor before applying to transfer, as that institution’s transfer requirements might be different from those required for the AS-T in Early Childhood Education.

Program Learning Outcomes: Upon completion of the program, students will demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and dispositions to meet the entry-level requirements for early childhood professionals working in programs regulated by the California Department of Social Services (Title 22). This degree is designed to meet the requirements for the California Child Development Teacher permit and satisfies the coursework required to transfer to a four-year institution.

Elementary Teacher Education, Associate Degree for Transfer

The Associate in Arts in Elementary Teacher Education for Transfer is intended for students who plan to transfer and complete a Liberal Studies degree and / or a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential to prepare them for elementary school teaching. Successful completion of the AA-T in Elementary Teacher Education satisfies lower- division preparation for a degree in Liberal Studies.

The Associate in Arts in Elementary Teacher Education is geared towards students who plan to transfer to a bachelor's degree in Integrated Teacher Education, Liberal Studies or a similar major.

Students who seek to become teachers in primary, secondary, bilingual, or special education will find this as one possible pathway. This pathway focuses on building the knowledge, skills, and hopefully the disposition that prepare professionals to work with children grades TK to twelve.

In this program, students will learn how to promote healthy development and learning in individually, culturally, and linguistically responsive ways.

Program Learning Outcomes: Upon completion, students will be able to analyze models and methods of effective teaching, especially in relation to the needs of a diverse student body. Students will be able to describe the concepts and issues related to teaching diverse learners in today's contemporary schools. Students will demonstrate introductory subject matter competency for the Multiple Subject California Subject Examination for Teacher (CSET) Students will be able to evaluate elements of diversity and diverse learning styles in student populations and analyze how teachers and schools can promote learning for all students.  

Early Childhood Studies, Associate Degree or Certificate of Achievement

Please note: This is NOT the CSU transfer degree. For details about the Early Childhood Education Associate in Science for Transfer (AS-T) to CSU, please see above.

The Early Childhood Studies program focuses on educational practices that emphasize interpersonal relationships, cultural diversity, child-centered curriculum, and the inclusion of children with special needs in all educational opportunities. The curriculum prepares students to teach or administer programs for young children, including private early childhood programs, public programs such as school district children centers, Head Start Programs, and Infant and School Age Programs. The Early Childhood Studies program is geared toward students wishing to prepare for employment in early childhood programs. Emphasis is placed in preparing students for early entry into the workforce. The program provides a sequential path that allows students to obtain the academic requirements for various state permits — Associate Teacher, Assistant Teacher, and Teacher. Students may build on the courses provided by the Early Childhood Studies program to later transfer. However, the AS-T in ECE is the recommended option for students desiring to transfer.

Program Learning Outcomes: Upon completion of the program, students will demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and dispositions to meet the entry-level requirements for early childhood professionals working in programs regulated by the California Department of Social Services (Title 22). This degree is designed to meet the requirements for a California Child Development Teacher Permit.

Early Childhood Associate Teacher, Certificate of Achievement

Students completing an Early Childhood Associate Teacher certificate are qualified to teach in a private child development program licensed under Title 22 of the Department of Social Services. It also fulfills the educational requirements for students seeking a California Child Development Permit Matrix at the Associate Teacher level issued by the California Commission of Teaching Credentialing. Students that desire to work in a early childhood setting are required to minimally complete these core classes.

Program Learning Outcomes: Upon completion of the program, students will demonstrate the knowledge, skills and dispositions to meet the entry-level requirements for early childhood professionals working in programs regulated by the California Department of Social Services (Title 22). This certificate is designed to meet the Early Childhood Education coursework which is one of the two requirements needed to qualify for the California Child Development Associate Teacher permit.

Early Intervention/Special Education Assistant (Formerly Early Intervention Assistant), Associate Degree or Certificate of Achievement

Early Childhood Education majors will be trained to supervise and provide care and learning experiences for children from infancy through eight years of age in a variety of early childhood settings.

Early Childhood Education professionals adhere to the guidelines as well as the Professional Code of Ethics of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), and provide developmentally appropriate learning opportunities for the enhancement of the physical, intellectual, social, emotional, and creative domains of young children.

The Early Intervention/Special Education Assistant program will prepare students for career placements in public and/or private early intervention and educational settings that serve young children with a range of developmental strengths, abilities, and needs. Specific jobs and responsibilities may include serving as an early childhood educator with a specialization in working with children with exceptionalities, a special education assistant for children from birth to eight years of age, a one-to-one assistant for children with exceptionalities (e.g., inclusion facilitator), a classroom assistant with expertise in special needs, or as an assistant teacher on an early intervention team serving infants and toddlers from birth to three years of age.

Program Learning Outcomes: Upon completion of the program, students will demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and dispositions to work with young children with exceptionalities and those who may be at risk of developmental delays and disabilities, and with their families. The degree and certificate programs are appropriate for students working as assistants or paraprofessionals in early intervention or early childhood special education. The degree program is also appropriate for students working as early childhood teachers in an inclusive early childhood program licensed by the California Department of Social Services (Title 22). The degree is designed to meet the requirements for the California Child Development Teacher permit, while the certificate is designed to meet two of the three requirements needed to qualify for the California Child Development Teacher permit.

Elementary Teacher Education, Certificate of Achievement

The cross-disciplinary courses that are part of this certificate serve as an introduction to the field of teaching. Courses seek to inspire and prepare future educators to teach in urban classrooms and to learn essential professional knowledge, including professional teaching standards and ethics; to conduct fieldwork in order to learn how to meet the diverse needs of students and roles of the teacher; and to gain a foundation of knowledge across some of the disciplines that will be necessary for teaching elementary students. Students also develop critical reading, writing, and thinking skills that are pertinent to working in the era of standards-based classroom instruction.

Program Learning Outcomes: Upon completion of the program, students will demonstrate critical thinking skills, specifically in relation to a liberal arts curriculum, and demonstrate an understanding of content from the CA Common Core State Standards for Mathematics and English Language Arts.  

Infant/Toddler Teacher, Associate Degree or Certificate of Achievement

This program prepares students to work with infants/toddlers (0-36 months) enabling the student to assist a teacher in a public infant/toddler program or teach infants/toddlers in a private child care setting. In addition, students will develop skills to create respectful, reciprocal relationships that support, empower, and involve families in their children’s learning and development.

Early Childhood Education professionals adhere to the guidelines as well as the Professional Code of Ethics of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) providing developmentally appropriate learning opportunities for the enhancement of the physical, intellectual, social, emotional and creative domains of young children.

Program Learning Outcomes: Upon completion of the program, students will demonstrate an understanding of young children and the multiple interacting influences on children’s development and learning in order to create environments that are respectful and supportive for all children, especially those 0-36 months old.

Upon completion of the program, students will demonstrate the ability to create respectful, reciprocal relationships that support and empower families, and involve families in their children’s learning and development.

Additional Information: Child Development Permit Matrix (With Alternative Qualification Options)

NOTE: All unit requirement listed above are semester units. All coursework must be completed with a grade of C or better from a regionally accredited college. Spanish translation is available.

*One course in each of four general education categories, which are degree-applicable: English/Language Arts, Math, or Science, Social Science, Humanities and/or Fine Arts.

**Core courses include child/human growth and development, Child/Family/Community, or Child and Family Relations; and Programs/Curriculum. A student must have a minimum of three semester units or four quarter units in each of the core areas.

***Holder of the Administrative Services Credential may serve as a Site Supervisor or Program Director.

****A valid Multiple Subject or a Single Subject in Home Economics.

*****Professional growth hours must be completed under the guidance of a Professional Growth Advisor. Call 209-572-6080 for assistance in locating an advisor.

Nature-Based Pedagogy, Certificate of Achievement

This certificate provides a foundation in child development, highlighting nature, environmental education, and stewardship. It includes an exploration of a nature-based pedagogy continuum; from nature-focused activities through forest Kindergarten principles and practices, as well as strategies and resources to support children in developing and fostering a curiosity of the world around them. Cultural diversity and placed-based influences will be a focus.

Outdoor learning environments (OLEs) stimulate the diversity of children’s play experience and contribute to their healthy development. Through observation and assessment opportunities, candidates will experience first-hand the outdoor learning environment; discovering skills and understanding required to create, manage, promote, and organize a quality outdoor learning environment for children.

Program Learning Outcomes: Upon completion of th program, students will demonstrate

1. How to assess early childhood outdoor learning environments.
2. Utilize benefit-risk assessment when introducing an outdoor learning experience.
3. Explain how having a quality early childhood outdoor learning environments can positively impact physical activity and healthy eating in young children.
4. Infuse early childhood education with environmental education learning opportunities.
5. Describe how outdoor environments and nature connection can support early childhood development.

Transitional Kindergarten, Certificate of Achievement

The goal of the Transitional Kindergarten certificate is to provide a strand of unit bearing curriculum specifically designed to meet the needs of current Transitional Kindergarten (TK) teachers as well as Multiple Subject credential holders needing the Early Childhood unit requirement to be a TK teacher.

Program Learning Outcomes: Upon completion of the program, students will be able to develop and align the transitional kindergarten curriculum to the California Preschool Learning Foundations.