Early Childhood Education

Early Childhood Education Degree

Offered at: Boulder, Larimer, Westminster

If you enjoy working with young learners and care about making a difference in children’s lives, the Early Childhood Education Program might be ideal for you.

Variety of Career Possibilities

Whether you want to start as a teacher’s assistant in a child care center or preschool, would like to transfer to a four-year college to earn a bachelor’s degree or have aspirations to become a director of an early childhood learning center, the Early Childhood Education Program offers a variety of career possibilities.

FRCC Offers Two Early Childhood Education Degrees

Both programs promote good educational practice by aligning with the educational standards of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and Colorado’s core competencies for early childhood professionals.

A.A.S.Early Childhood Education Degree

This is a 60-credit, non-transferrable degree that prepares students for careers working with young children from birth through age eight. This program meets all Colorado Department of Human Services licensing requirements. See required courses.

A.A. for transfer in Early Childhood Education Degree

This degree is for students whose career goals are to teach up to third grade in the elementary classroom or in an early childhood education program. Students earning this degree can transfer to one of several four-year institutions in Colorado as part of the statewide Early Childhood Teacher Education Articulation Agreement. Degrees (and requirements) at your transfer institution vary, so be sure to consult with a program advisor at that college or university as well as at FRCC. See the Early Childhood Education transfer worksheet.

For students interested in teaching elementary students beyond third grade (through sixth grade), FRCC also offers an elementary education degree, the A.A. for transfer in Elementary Education.

FRCC Offers Five Early Childhood Certificates

Many who already work in early childhood education turn to FRCC’s Early Childhood Education Program for professional development. Whether you’re just starting your career or already have years of experience, we’re here to support you. See required courses for these certificates:

• Director   
• Early Childhood Teacher  
• Infant-Toddler Nursery Supervisor
• Foundations for Paraeducators  
• Early Childhood Education for Paraeducators 

Hands-on Experience with Children

Early Childhood Education students gain excellent field experience by observing and working in the classroom (as part of ECE 102 , Introduction to Early Childhood Lab Techniques and the ECE 180 and ECE 280 Practicums).

Recommended Preparation

Some courses within the Early Childhood Education degree program have prerequisites. In addition, students must take an assessment before enrolling in either degree program or any certificates. Talk with your advisor at your campus for more information. Before beginning the Early Childhood Education degree or certificate program, you must place into or have taken these courses:

• ENG 090 or above
• MAT 090 or above
• REA 090 or above

Annual Teaching Salaries