Early Childhood Education, AAS & Certificate

The Early Childhood Education Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) Degree prepares competent early childhood professionals for working with young children and families. The degree prepares students by providing opportunities to gain specialized knowledge and implement best practices in early childhood settings. This Degree is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Commission on Early Childhood Associate Degree Accreditation.

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Program Information

The Early Childhood Education AAS Degree prepares competent early childhood professionals for working with young children and families. Students are provided opportunities to gain specialized knowledge and implement best practices in early childhood settings. CAC ECE students are provided with hands-on opportunities to share SEEDS of knowledge with others and learn and grow as professionals. Students who participate in ECE coursework and practicums learn to demonstrate our Core Values: Diversity and Equity, Reciprocal Relationships, Developmentally and Culturally Appropriate Practices, and Advocacy, Ethics and Professionalism.

This degree is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Commission on the Accreditation of Early Childhood Higher Education Programs.

Course Requirements ECE AAS Degree

Program Curriculum and Requirements

Contact Information

Scholarship, Career and Transfer Resources

Transfer Center

Many students who start their college career at Central Arizona College plan to continue on for a bachelor’s degree. If you plan to transfer, our Transfer Center has many resources to help you make the most of your time at CAC and plan for a smooth and successful transfer.

Career Center

The Career Center is where students can find up-to-date resources in career assessment, resume development, interview preparation, and internships and more.

Transfer Pathways

If you are interested in transferring to a university to complete a baccalaureate degree, you can review our transfer pathways and schedule an appointment with an Early Childhood Advisor.

The ECE Department currently has transfer pathways and agreements in place with the following universities:

Arizona State University

Northern Arizona University

University of Arizona South

Western New Mexico University

Scholarship Opportunities

Professional Career Pathway Project

The Professional Career Pathway Project (PCPP) is a scholarship funded by the Department of Economic Security Child Care Administration through Federal Child Care Development Block Grant Funds. If you are currently working in the field of early childhood (in an AZDES certified family child care or center based program) PCPP will pay college tuition for up to 24 credits a year and provide a stipend for books. CAC is the administrative home of this scholarship and our ECE advisors can help you apply.

1.520.494.5257
pcppadmin@centralaz.edu

First Things First College Scholarship

The FTF College Scholarship provides the early childhood workforce working directly with or on behalf of young children birth through age five access to education and training to achieve degrees, credentials and specialized skills to promote children’s development. For more information please review the following links:

General Information – FTF College Scholarship Program.

Application Process – Tutorial

Student Checklist – Scholarship Application Checklist

1.855.818.6613
info@thearizonaregistry.org

Resources and Information

Early Learning Centers

The ECE Department, in collaboration with the Easterseals Blake Foundation, provides year-round child care at Early Learning Centers at the Signal Peak Campus and Superstition Mountain Campuses. The Centers also serve as lab sites for field experience for CAC students.

The centers accept DES subsidies and CCAMPIS child care scholarships are available for Pell-Eligible students. Click here to learn more.

Faculty and Staff

Melissa Larson Busby
Early Childhood Education Director
1.520.494.5017
melissa.busby@centralaz.edu

Vacant
Professor of Early Childhood Education
1.520.494.5477
ecenews@centralaz.edu

Chris Emlet
ECE Instructional Specialist II
1.480.677.7790
chris.emlet@centralaz.edu

Early Childhood Education, AAS & Certificate

Degree Map

Degree Map

Program Information

Contact Information

Questions about this pathway?

Scholarship, Career and Transfer Resources

Transfer Center

Career Center

Transfer Pathways

Scholarship Opportunities

Professional Career Pathway Project

First Things First College Scholarship

Resources and Information

Early Learning Centers

Other Helpful Resources and Links

Access CAC’s Early Childhood student outcomes data here.

Next Steps

Faculty and Staff

District Office

Helpful Links

CONNECT WITH CAC

Early Childhood Education (AAS)

Early Childhood Education, AAS & Certificate

Degree Map

Faculty and Staff

District Office

Helpful Links

CONNECT WITH CAC