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Early Childhood Education - Teacher Certificate

This certificate provides a foundation for in-depth early childhood teacher preparation both through general education and through introductory studies in child development and in early childhood curriculum and pedagogy. Additionally, it covers culture and diversity issues in early childhood and health and safety practices. Students must verify required teaching experience to be recommended to the Commission on Teacher Credentialing for issuance of the Teacher Child Development Permit.

Total Units:
48

First Year

Semester 1

15 Units
Course Units Pre-Reqs^ Semesters Offered*
ECE 300
Introduction to Principles and Practices in Early Childhood Education
3
F(O), S(O)
ECE 312 1
Child Development
3
Advisory:Eligibility for ENGL C1000
F(O), S(O), Su(O)
ECE 314 2
The Child, the Family and the Community
3
F(O), S(O), Su(O)
ENGL C1000
College Composition
3
Advisory: LIBR 318; Concurrent enrollment in ENGLB 55
F, S, Su
COMM C1000
Introduction to Public Speaking
3
F, S, Su

1 Course also taught summer term. Must take before semester 2.

2 Course also taught summer term.

Semester 2

16 Units
Course Units Pre-Reqs^ Semesters Offered*
ECE 320 1
Curriculum and Interactions in Early Childhood Education
4
ECE 300 & 312 & Co-req: ECE 326; TB clearance & proof of immunization.
F, S
ECE 326
Making Learning Visible Through Observation and Documentation
3
ECE 312
F, S
ECE 415
Children's Health, Safety and Nutrition
3
F, S
ECE 430
Culture and Diversity in Early Childhood Education
3
F, S
MATH 300
Introduction to Mathematical Ideas
3
Intermediate Algebra or the equivalent
F, S, Su

1 102-108 in-person lab hours at qualifying site, Under California law (Title 22) any persons working directly with children must provide proof of current Tuberculosis clearance and provide any required proof of immunizations (currently: measles, pertussis, and influenza/influenza waiver).

Year 2

Semester 3

17 Units
Course Units Pre-Reqs^ Semesters Offered*
ECE 321 1
Advanced Practicum in Early Childhood Education
4
ECE 300, 312, 320, & 326; TB clearance & proof of immunization
S
ECE 330
Infant and Toddler Development or
3
F, S(O)
ECE 331
Care and Education of Infants and Toddlers or
3
ECE 312 or 330
F(O), S
ECE 356
Programs for the School-Age Child or
3
Advisory ECE 312
F
ECE 402
Infants with Atypical Development
3
ECE 312
S
PSYC 371
Life Span Developmental Psychology or
3
F, S
FCS 324
Human Development: A Life Span
3
Check Class Schedule for offering
SPAN 401
Elementary Spanish I or
4
F, S, Su
VIET 401
Elementary Vietnamese or
4
F, S, Su
DEAF 310
American Sign Language I
4
F, S
HUM 300
Classical Humanities or
3
F, S, Su
PHIL 310
Introduction to Ethics or
3
F, S
PHOTO 420
History of Photography
3
F, S

^You must have passed the prerequisite course(s) with a “C” or better; Corequisite must be taken during the same semester; Advisory means it is recommended but not required to enroll in the course.

*(O) = online available (P) = partially online

1 102-108 in-person lab hours at qualifying site. Under California law (Title 22) any persons working directly with children must provide proof of current Tuberculosis clearance and provide any required proof of immunizations (currently: measles, pertussis, and influenza/influenza waiver).

Career Options/Outlook:

The Early Childhood Education (ECE) Teacher Certificate prepares individuals for teaching our youngest learners by providing foundational skills and developmentally appropriate practices. This certificate, combined with the required work experience, fulfills the California Child Development Permit requirements for the Teacher Permit.

Students aiming to teach Preschool through 3rd grade in public elementary schools can use this degree as a pathway to the PK-3 Early Childhood Education (ECE) Specialist Teaching Credential, as it includes required ECE coursework.

Enrollment in ECE 320 and ECE 321 provides up to 200 field experience hours, contributing toward the 600 hours needed for the preschool portion of the PK-3 ECE Specialist Credential and fulfilling 50 days in the California Child Development Permit Matrix.

A sample of reported job titles:

Career Opportunities with a Teacher Certificate:

Preschool Teacher

Instructional Aide/Paraprofessional 

Teacher’s Assistant.

After-School Program Instructor

Tutor or Academic Support Specialist 

Private School or Charter School Assistant Teacher – Some non-traditional school settings hire assistant teachers with a certificate.

Projected job openings in California (2020-2030):

76,820

Projected growth in California (2020-2030):

15% growth

Median Salary in California with advanced degree (2021):

$58,750/yr

Transfer notes:

Please meet with a counselor for specific transfer course evaluation or transferring to a specific 4-year institution.

Program Notes:

Students must complete 16 units in general education (GE) categories to be eligible for the Child Development Permit (Teacher Leve) through California Commission on Teacher Credentialing.  At least one course in each of the following GE areas must be completed:  English, Math/Science, Social Science, Humanities/Fine Arts.  


See ECE Department for information on expertise requirements for the Child Development Permits.  

About this program map:

This program map represents one possible pathway to complete the program. Please see a counselor to create an education plan customized to meet your needs. This map is not a guarantee of course

availability or financial aid applicability.

Zero Textbook Costs (ZTC):

The Zero Textbook Costs designation and logo are added to any course that provides free access to all required instructional materials. These are typically shared with students through Canvas. Courses that are designated as ZTC may still require students to purchase supplemental materials such as lab coats, a calculator, art supplies, etc. See full definitions and searching tips on the Zero Textbook Costs page of the college website.

Catalog Year: 2025-2026

Published May 17, 2025

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