Early Childhood Education (Degree)

Associate Degree

Riverside Campus

Redwood Campus

Online/Zoom

The Early Childhood Education Associate of Applied Science degree prepares you to advance your profession in the field of Early Childhood Education, working with infants, toddlers, or preschoolers. This program builds on the Certificate of Completion and prepares you to be a Lead Teacher or fulfill other leadership roles in child care centers, home-based child care, preschools, home visiting programs and parent education settings.

This program is flexible for new students and those already working in Early Childhood Education. It fulfills the formal training requirement for the Child Development Associate (CDA) credential and the requirements for Oregon Registry: Pathways to Professional Recognition in Childhood Care and Education (ORO) Step 9.

The Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree builds on the Early Childhood Education certificate pathway. It also contributes to the Associate of Science in Early Childhood Education or Early Intervention; both transfer degrees to Bachelor’s degrees.

Program Highlights

This certificate builds on your foundational skills and prepares you for increased responsibility in classroom and care settings. You will advance your knowledge in:

Leadership roles and responsibilities in early childhood settings
Trauma-Informed Care in the field of Early Childhood Education
Curriculum development to support individual learners with different needs
Observation, screening, and assessment tools to guide instruction
Putting your skills into practice through advanced practicum placements
Aligned with National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) guidelines

Prerequisites & Requirements

Application Process

Career & Salary Outlook

See Students in Action

Workforce Training & Certifications

You can use RCC’s Workforce Training opportunities to upskill, prepare for a career change or strengthen your current abilities. Whatever your goal, you can access practical, targeted training that helps you move forward.

Get Started