Associate in Arts, Emphasis in Educational Studies Early Childhood

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The Associate in Arts (AA), Emphasis in Educational Studies Early Childhood provides the first two years of a four-year curriculum that emphasizes community, early childhood, and youth education. This program of study is designed to provide students with a foundation of knowledge in educational practices for use in the community setting. Upon completion of the Bachelor of Arts in Education, students may work with children and youth outside of traditional public school classroom settings. The AA, Educational Studies Early Childhood does not provide a pathway for students seeking Arizona Department of Education teacher certification.

Details

Field of Interest
Education
Degree Type
Associate in Arts (AA)
Academic Plan
Associate in Arts, Emphasis in Educational Studies Early Childhood (DEG)
Academic Plan Code
8134
Total credits required
60-64
Catalog Year
2025-2026
Effective Term
Fall 2025
Notes

Students must earn a grade of C or better in all courses within the program.

For some employment and field experiences (including internship courses), students will be required to have a current Identity Verified Print (IVP) Fingerprint Clearance Card and a current TB test.

This emphasis is intended to align with the degree requirements for the following programs:

ASU (Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College), Educational Studies (Early Childhood Studies), BAE

Refer to the MCCCD University Transfer Partner website for more information: ASU .

Students at any Maricopa Community College may need to complete courses at more than one of our colleges.

What You'll Learn
  • Evaluate developmentally, culturally, and linguistically appropriate learning experiences that promote growth and development in the following domains: Social-Emotional, Physical, Cognitive, and Language and Literacy.
  • Identify the components necessary for a safe, caring, inclusive, and healthy learning environment according to best practices and local, state, and national standards.
  • Analyze learning and development through observation and documentation, using standards and best practices.
  • Identify reciprocal, culturally responsive relationships between educational professionals, families and communities.
  • Develop communication skills necessary for education and community advocacy.
  • Practice ethical and professional standards and behavior.
  • Advocate for ethical, equitable, diverse, and effective community, early childhood, and youth education professions.
  • Engage in reflective practice and continuous learning through education and research.
  • Develop problem solving skills relevant to community, early childhood, and youth education.
  • Apply relevant knowledge, skills, and habits of mind to seek career opportunities in the field.
Career Statistics

Successful completion of this degree may lead to employment in a variety of different occupations and industries. Below are examples of related occupations with associated Arizona-based wages* for this degree. Education requirements vary for the occupations listed below, so you may need further education or degrees in order to qualify for some of these jobs and earn the related salaries. Please visit with an academic advisor and/or program director for additional information. You can click on any occupation to view the detail regarding education level, wages, and employment information.

Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School
$57,010
Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare
$45,570
Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education
$50,830
Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education
$32,930
Recreation Workers
$33,560
Special Education Teachers, Preschool
$52,650

There are additional career opportunities associated with this degree that do not have occupational data available for Arizona at this time. These occupations are listed below:

  • Special Education Teachers, Elementary School
  • Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten
  • Teaching Assistants, Preschool, Elementary, Middle, and Secondary School, Except Special Education

* Career and wage information provided by Pipeline AZ using data, reports, and forecasts which are generated using government data sources. Sources

Course Sequence by Term

The following is the suggested course sequence by term. Please keep in mind:

  • Students should meet with an academic advisor to develop an individual education plan that meets their academic and career goals. Use the Degree Progress Report Tool in your Student Center to manage your plan.
  • The course sequence is laid out by suggested term and may be affected when students enter the program at different times of the year.
  • Initial course placement is determined by current district placement measures and/or completion of 100-200 level course and/or program requirements.
  • Degree and transfer seeking students may be required to successfully complete a MCCCD First Year Experience Course (FYE) within the first two semesters at a MCCCD College. Courses include FYE101 and FYE103. Course offerings will vary by college. See an academic, program, or faculty advisor for details.

Full-time Sequence

Full-time status is 12 credits to 18 credits per semester.

A list of additional requirements for this pathway map
Awareness Areas
  • In addition to the requirements identified in the sequence below, students must complete the following awareness areas if not otherwise met by other program requirements:
    • Cultural [C] and
    • Global [G] or Historical [H]
  • Students are strongly encouraged to visit with an academic advisor to ensure completion of all graduation requirements.

Term 1

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 1
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
EED215 or
(CFS123 and
CFS125)		 Early Learning: Health, Safety, Nutrition and Physical Fitness or (Health and Nutrition in Early Childhood Settings and Safety In Early Childhood Settings) 2–3
ENG101 or
ENG107		 First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL Critical course FYC or FYC 3
MAT14+ College Mathematics OR Any approved general education course in the Mathematical Applications [MA] area MA 3–6
FYE101 or
FYE103		 Introduction to College, Career and Personal Success or Exploration of College, Career and Personal Success 1–3
Elective General Elective 0–3

Term 2

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 2
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
ENG102 or
ENG108		 First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL FYC or FYC 3
SQ Natural Sciences Quantitative SQ 4
HU Humanities, Fine Arts & Design EDU/ENH291 recommended. HU 3
CRE101 College Critical Reading and Critical Thinking OR Equivalent as indicated by assessment L 0–3
Elective General Elective 0–3

Term 3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 3
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
HU Humanities, Fine Arts & Design EED225 recommended. HU 3
L Literacy & Critical Inquiry COM225 recommended L 3
SB Social-Behavioral Sciences CFS/ECH176, CFS205, or EED222 recommended. SB 3
COM100 or
COM110 or
COM225 or
COM230		 Introduction to Human Communication or Interpersonal Communication or Public Speaking or Small Group Communication May be met by COM225 Public Speaking in the Literacy and Critical Inquiry [L] area SB or SB or L or SB 0–3
Elective General Elective 0–3

Term 4

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 4
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
CS Computer/Statistics/Quantitative Application EDU115 or EED115 recommended CS 3
SB Social-Behavioral Sciences CFS/ECH176, CFS205, or EED222 recommended. SB 3
SG or
SQ		 Natural Sciences General or Natural Sciences Quantitative SG or SQ 4
Elective General Elective 3

Part-time Sequence

Part-time status is 11 credit hours or less.

A list of additional requirements for this pathway map
Awareness Areas
  • In addition to the requirements identified in the sequence below, students must complete the following awareness areas if not otherwise met by other program requirements:
    • Cultural [C] and
    • Global [G] or Historical [H]
  • Students are strongly encouraged to visit with an academic advisor to ensure completion of all graduation requirements.

Term 1

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 1
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
EED215 or
(CFS123)		 Early Learning: Health, Safety, Nutrition and Physical Fitness or (Health and Nutrition in Early Childhood Settings) 1–3
ENG101 or
ENG107		 First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL Critical course FYC or FYC 3
FYE101 or
FYE103		 Introduction to College, Career and Personal Success or Exploration of College, Career and Personal Success 1–3

Term 2

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 2
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
ENG102 or
ENG108		 First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL FYC or FYC 3
MAT14+ College Mathematics OR Any approved general education course in the Mathematical Applications [MA] area MA 3–6
CRE101 College Critical Reading and Critical Thinking OR Equivalent as indicated by assessment L 0–3

Term 3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 3
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
CFS125 Safety In Early Childhood Settings 1
SQ Natural Sciences Quantitative SQ 4
Elective General Elective 3

Term 4

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 4
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
HU Humanities, Fine Arts & Design EDU/ENH291 recommended. HU 3
L Literacy & Critical Inquiry COM225 recommended L 3

Term 5

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 5
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
SB Social-Behavioral Sciences CFS/ECH176, CFS205, or EED222 recommended. SB 3
COM100 or
COM110 or
COM225 or
COM230		 Introduction to Human Communication or Interpersonal Communication or Public Speaking or Small Group Communication May be met by COM225 Public Speaking in the Literacy and Critical Inquiry [L] area SB or SB or L or SB 0–3
Elective General Elective 0–3

Term 6

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 6
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
HU Humanities, Fine Arts & Design EED225 recommended. HU 3
CS Computer/Statistics/Quantitative Application EDU115 or EED115 recommended CS 3

Term 7

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 7
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
SB Social-Behavioral Sciences CFS/ECH176, CFS205, or EED222 recommended. SB 3
SG or
SQ		 Natural Sciences General or Natural Sciences Quantitative SG or SQ 4

Term 8

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 8
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
Elective General Elective 0–3
Elective General Elective 0–3

General Electives

Select additional courses 100-level or higher to complete a minimum of 60 semester credits but no more than a total of 64 semester credits. Consult with a faculty advisor, program director, and/or academic advisor to identify coursework that best aligns with academic and professional goals.

Course Area Key

Critical Course = A course that is highly predictive of future success in a pathway.

  • CS = Computer/Statistics/Quantitative Application
  • FYC = First Year Composition
  • HU = Humanities, Fine Arts, and Design
  • L = Literacy & Critical Inquiry
  • MA = Mathematics
  • SB = Social-Behavioral Sciences
  • SG = Natural Sciences General
  • SQ = Natural Sciences Quantitative
Disclaimer

Students must earn a grade of C or better for all courses required within the program.

Course Sequence total credits may differ from the program information located on the MCCCD curriculum website due to program and system design.

View MCCCD’s official curriculum documentation for additional details regarding the requirements of this award (https://aztransmac2.asu.edu/cgi-bin/WebObjects/MCCCD.woa/wa/freeForm10?id=16456359).

At Maricopa, we strive to provide you with accurate and current information about our degree and certificate offerings. Due to the dynamic nature of the curriculum process, course and program information is subject to change. As a result, the course list associated with this degree or certificate on this site does not represent a contract, nor does it guarantee course availability. If you are interested in pursuing this degree or certificate, we encourage you to meet with an advisor to discuss the requirements at your college for the appropriate catalog year.

Previous Catalog Years

The pathway map presented above is for the current catalog year and is the intended pathway map for new students. All previous catalog years for this pathway map are available at the link below.

Previous catalog years for Associate in Arts (AA) in Associate in Arts, Emphasis in Educational Studies Early Childhood

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