Associate of Science in Early Childhood Education
Riverside, USA
Associate of Applied Science
DURATION
1 year
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
01 Jul 2026
EARLIEST START DATE
Aug 2026
TUITION FEES
USD 514 *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* per unit | for F-1 international students total estimated cost per year is $29,591
Key Summary
About: The Early Childhood Education programme provides an educational and practical foundation for students working with children from infancy through third grade. The curriculum combines theoretical principles with practical skills and on-site training to prepare students for employment. The programme leads to certificates and an Associate of Science degree. EAR courses meet required child development coursework for the state Child Development Permit; contact the Early Childhood Education Department for details.
Career Outcomes: Graduates can work as preschool teacher, childcare center director, teacher assistant, or early intervention specialist. You can also transfer to a four-year college to continue toward a bachelor degree in education.
The Early Childhood Education program provides an educational and practical foundation for students interested in working with children from infancy through third grade. In addition to theoretical principles, the curriculum offers practical skills and on-site training that will prepare students for employment in Early Childhood Education. The program leads to certificates in Early Childhood Education and/or an Associate of Science Degree. The EAR courses will also fulfill the required child development coursework for the state-issued Child Development Permit. Information regarding this permit and/or the Early Childhood Education Certificates are available from the Early Childhood Education Department.
Financial Aid Support for Your Educational Goals
There are many types of financial aid available to you at RCC. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the California Dream Act Application is required for most financial aid forms. Types of financial aid include grants, scholarships, tuition waivers, and student loans.
Federal Grants
- Federal Pell Grant (Part of FAFSA application)
- Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG - Part of FAFSA application)
State of California Grants
- California College Promise
- Cal Grant Program
- Student Success Completion Grant
- Chafee Grant Program for eligible foster youth and former foster youth
- California National Guard Education Assistance Award Program (CNG EAAP)
Riverside Community College District Scholarship
There are over 250 scholarships available to students through the RCCD Foundation, and only one application is needed to apply. If you are an admitted student at RCC and have a student email address, you can apply for scholarships offered by the RCCD Foundation.
CGACC-RCC International Student Scholarship
International Students at Riverside City College are welcome to apply for CGACC-RCC Scholarship. This scholarship is in the form of a tuition fee reduction estimated at $1,250. The application deadline for CGACC-RCC International Student Scholarship is July 25, and the results of the students selected are typically announced by August 6.
To be eligible for this award, the applicant must be a new or continuing international student who will study full-time at one of the RCCD colleges (Riverside City College, Norco College, or Moreno Valley College) on an F-1 Student Visa in the fall semester. Transfer students can also apply. New international students who apply for the scholarship must have a completed RCC international student application, submit all required documents, and receive an RCCD I-20.
Associate of Science Degree
The Associate of Science Degree in Early Childhood Education will be awarded upon completion of the degree requirements, including general education and other graduation requirements as described in the college catalog.
Child Development Permit
Upon completion of the requirements for the certificate program and 16 units of special courses in general education, the student has fulfilled the course requirements for the Child Development Permit, teacher level.
Required Courses (25 units)
- EAR-19 --- Observation, and Assessment in Early Childhood Education --- 3
- EAR-20 --- Child Growth and Development --- 3
- EAR-24 --- Introduction to Curriculum --- 3
- EAR-25 --- Teaching in a Diverse Society --- 3
- EAR-26 --- Health, Safety, and Nutrition --- 3
- EAR-28 --- Principles and Practices of Teaching Young Children --- 3
- EAR-30 --- Practicum in Early Childhood Education --- 4
- EAR-42 --- Child, Family, and Community --- 3
- Electives (Choose from the list below) --- 6
Electives (6 units)
- EAR-23 --- Family Home Child Care Program --- 3
- EAR-33 --- Infant and Toddler Development --- 3
- EAR-34 --- Infant and Toddler Care and Education --- 3
- EAR-38 --- Adult Supervision and Mentoring in ECE --- 3
- EAR-40 --- Introduction to Children with Special Needs --- 3
- EAR-41 --- Practicum in Early Intervention/Special Education --- 4
- EAR-43 --- Children with Challenging Behaviors --- 3
- EAR-44 --- Administration I: Programs in Early Childhood Education --- 3
- EAR-45 --- Administration II: Personnel and Leadership in Early Childhood Education --- 3
- EAR-46 --- Curriculum and Strategies for Children with Special Needs --- 3
- EAR-47 --- Childhood Stress and Trauma --- 3
- EAR-53 --- Parenting: Guiding Young Children-Approaches to Discipline --- 2
- EAR-54 --- Parenting: Contemporary Parenting Issues --- 1
- EDU-1 --- Introduction to Elementary Classroom Teaching --- 4
- ENG-30 --- Children’s Literature --- 3
- KIN-6 --- Introduction to Physical Education for Preschool and Elementary Children --- 3
- KIN-30 --- First Aid and CPR --- 3
- MUS-1 --- Teaching Music to Young Children --- 3
Upon successful completion of this program, students should be able to:
- Develop, implement, and evaluate developmentally appropriate thematic and emergent curriculum for children who are typical and atypical in the areas of physical, cognitive, language, creative, and social/emotional growth.
- Develop and apply appropriate practices and effective techniques that respect the cultural diversity of young children and their families.
- Integrate an educational philosophy into classroom practices that reflect a personal belief supportive of theoretical principles regarding how and why young children should receive early educational experiences.
- Develop and implement a system of ongoing observational practices that contributes toward the creation of learning environments conducive to the emergence of a curriculum that adapts to the evolving needs of children.