This degree prepares students to work as an Associate Teacher or Co-Teacher in an early care and learning program. This includes identifying stages of development, preparing developmentally appropriate curriculum, facilitating children’s learning in all domains of development and supporting social skills. Students will gain hands on experience in a preschool classroom where they can develop effective teaching and interaction skills. Courses fulfill Title 22 licensing requirements, Title 5 early childhood education course requirements for the Child Development Permit at the teacher level, and 24 units of ECE required for Transitional Kindergarten teachers. A grade of “C” or better is required in all courses.

Program Outcome

 Meets the child development course requirements of the Child Development Permit at the Teacher level and provides enhanced employability, the holder can be employed as a Preschool Teacher or as part of a teaching team. It meets the needs of transitional kindergarten teachers who are required to have 24 units of child development or early childhood education in addition to their bachelor’s degree and multiple subjects teaching credential. 

Associate in Science Degree Requirements

1. UNIT REQUIREMENT - 60 UNITS, with at least a 2.0 grade point average. At least 12 of the units must be earned at OCC, with a minimum of one course taken for a letter grade. At least 3 units in an advanced course from the program must be completed at OCC. A student must be enrolled at the time of application for graduation. Units earned at an accredited college or university on a credit/no credit basis will be counted toward the degree requirements of the college, to a maximum of 15 units.
2. MAJOR REQUIREMENT - Complete the AS major requirements.
3. MATHEMATICS REQUIREMENT - Demonstrate competence in mathematics by either obtaining a satisfactory grade (grade of “C” or better or“pass”) in a mathematics course at or above the level of Intermediate Algebra as demonstrated by prior coursework, or by demonstrating competency that is comparable through the completion of a college-level math course that has Intermediate Algebra as a prerequisite: Psychology A160 or Math A100 or higher, with the exception of Math A220.
4. GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENT - Students may choose to complete Option 1 (OCC AS GE), Option 2 (CSU GE), or Option 3 (IGETC) to satisfy the general education requirement. See the General Education Patterns section of this catalog for more information.

Course List Units

Course	Title	Units
Required Courses
CDE A131	Creativity for Children	3
CDE A155	Principles and Practices of Teaching Young Children	3
CDE A156	Early Childhood Lab: Interactions with Young Children	2
CDE A157	Guidance for Young Children	3
CDE A180	Child, Growth and Development	3
CDE A190	Family, School and Community Partnerships	3
CDE A199	Current Issues in Early Childhood and Education	1-2
CDE A200	ECE Program - The Curriculum	3
Restricted Electives - Select one course:		3
CDE A130	Language Arts for Children
CDE A132	Science and Math for Young Children
Total Units		24-25

Unit Requirements

Requirement	Units
Minimum Program Major Units	24-25
AS General Education Option 1, 2, or 3	Varies
Transferable electives to satisfy unit requirement	Varies
Total Minimum Degree Units	60