The Early Childhood Education, Associate in Science for Transfer degree focuses on the study of human development from the prenatal through adolescence with an emphasis on birth through age eight. Graduates acquire the knowledge and skills to effectively serve typically developing children and those with disabilities and their families at home and in early care and education settings.  Successful completion of the Early Childhood Education, Associate in Science for Transfer degree will also fulfill the Early Childhood (ECE) requirements for the California Department of Social Services, Title 22 regulations, and most levels of the Child Development Permit offered by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing.  Entry-level careers in child development include, but are not limited to, infant-toddler and preschool teacher, early interventionist, and administrator of centers for children.  

The Early Childhood Education, Associate in Science for Transfer degree (Early Childhood Education AS-T) is intended for students who plan to complete a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, Family and Consumer Sciences, Human Communication, Human Services, or Liberal Studies or similar major at a CSU campus.  Students completing the degree are guaranteed admission to the CSU system, but not to a particular campus or major.  

Students transferring to a CSU campus that accepts the Early Childhood Education, Associate in Science for Transfer degree will be required to complete no more than 60 units after transfer to earn a bachelor’s degree (unless the major is a designated “high-unit” major at a particular campus). This degree may not be the best option for students intending to transfer to a particular CSU campus or to a university or college that is not part of the CSU system. For a current list of what majors (and what options or areas of emphasis within that major) have been designated as “similar” to this degree at each CSU campus, please refer to California State University Associate Degree for Transfer website. Students should consult with a counselor when planning to complete the degree for more information on university admission and transfer requirements.

To earn an Early Childhood Education Associate in Science for Transfer degree, students must meet the following requirements:  

1. Complete 60 semester units or 90 quarter units that are eligible for transfer to the California State University, including both of the following:
   1. The Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC for CSU) or the California State University General Educational-Breadth (CSU GE-Breadth) requirements.
   2. A minimum of 18 semester units or 27 quarter units in a major or area of emphasis, as determined by the community college district.
2. Obtain a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 in all CSU transferable coursework. While a minimum GPA of 2.0 is required for admission, some transfer institutions and majors may require a higher GPA.  Please consult with a counselor for more information.
3. Obtain a grade of “C” or better, or “P,” in all courses required in the major or area of emphasis. Even though a “P” grade is allowed (Title 5, Section 55062), it is recommended that students complete their major courses with a letter grade (“A,” “B,” or “C”) due to unit limitations on “P/NP” courses.
4. Complete requirements in residency. For students in the Ventura County Community College District, a minimum of 12 units must be completed in residence within the college district.

Highly Recommended Supplemental/Elective Courses

In addition to the required courses listed above, it is recommended that students who seek to obtain additional insight into the field of study choose courses from the following list when selecting elective courses: 

• CD V22, Behavior Management in Early Childhood Education (3 units)
• CD V27, Infant and Toddler Development (3 units) 
• CD V28, Care and Education for Infants and Toddlers (3 units)

Although these supplemental courses will be of value to the student, please note that, beyond serving as elective courses, they do not satisfy the requirements for this degree.

See a counselor or consult assist.org, especially if you plan to transfer to a UC campus or a college or university other than CSU.

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to: 

• Apply general knowledge of development in the physical, cognitive, and psychosocial domains from conception through age eight, including knowledge about typical and atypical development.
• Demonstrate awareness of and skills in intentional teaching and behavior management consistent with developmentally appropriate practices.
• Demonstrate principles of curriculum planning and environmental design that are consistent with current best practices and components of the California Early Learning system for Infants, Toddlers and Preschool.
• Demonstrate and apply professional and ethical standards of behavior in the college classroom and the workplace with children, families, colleagues, and co-workers.
• Apply knowledge and skills to develop environments that promote equity, respect, empowerment, and dignity within the learning community.