Careers
Early Childhood Education Careers
There is no resource more valuable than children, and caring for them is the greatest responsibility an adult can undertake. To prepare adults for this task, Pierce College's Early Childhood Education program provides comprehensive, compassionate training on the physical, emotional, intellectual and social needs of children from birth to age 8.
The program combines hands-on training in the on-site laboratory school, as well as in community childcare centers and classrooms, with college-level classroom instruction aimed at creating skilled, kind and understanding teachers. Students learn to develop and apply curriculum methods and to meet the needs of children as individuals and within their social and familial situations.
Classes are offered days, evenings, Saturdays, and online to accommodate busy students.
Transfer
Graduates with the Associate in Applied Science-Transfer (AAS-T) Degree in Early Childhood Education can apply to the Bachelor of Applied Science in Teaching. This program leads to teacher licensure with endorsements in Early Childhood Education and Early Childhood Special Education. There are also a variety of other transfer options to continue in fields such as Early Childhood Education, Children’s Studies, and Human Development.
Transfer Institution Information
Course Maps
There are no prerequisites for entering Pierce's Early Childhood Education program.
An initial certificate can be earned in one quarter (12 credits). The short certificate of specialization is achievable in two quarters (20 credits). The state credential takes about one year of full-time study (47 credits). The associate's degree option requires about two years (96 credits).
Career Pathway Course Maps
- Bachelor of Applied Science in Teaching (BAS-T) Career Pathway Course Map
- Associate in Applied Science - Transfer (AAS-T) Early Childhood Education Career Pathway Course Map
- State Initial Early Childhood Education Certificate Career Pathway Course Map
- State Early Childhood Education Certificate Career Pathway Course Map
- Specialization – Administration Certificate Career Pathway Course Map
- Specialization – Family Child Care Career Pathway Course Map
- Specialization – General Certificate Career Pathway Course Map
- Specialization – Home Visitor/Family Career Pathway Course Map
- Specialization – Infants and Toddlers Career Pathway Course Map
- Specialization – School-Age Care Career Pathway Course Map
About the Program
Additional help and support may be available for students in need of English language training or basic adult learning skills. Pierce's Early Childhood Education program works with the Integrated Basic Education Skills Training (I-BEST) support program to assist students in need of English as a Second Language or Adult Basic Education training, or who are pursuing their GED.