Associate of Arts
Designed for students interested in working in the field or who may transfer to a four-year institution to complete a Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education or related field. Preparing students to work in early childhood settings and to provide services to children form birth to age eight and their families. The A.A. degree in Early Childhood Education (ECED) satisfies the educational requirements for Head Start teachers and educational assistants in elementary school setting. Completion of the ECED courses also entitles students to receive a One Year Vocational Certificate in Early Childhood Education issued by the Office of Child Development, Children, Youth, and Families Department of the State of New Mexico.
Students can complete the course of study within five (5) trimesters. Students will utilize the Early Childhood Education Associate of Arts Degree program of study (below) to guide their journey and will work with their advisor towards completion.
The mission of the Early Childhood Education Associates of Arts degree program is to prepare Native American students to transfer to an early childhood Bachelor's degree program immerses students into an intertribal community of learners through meaningful engagement and dialogue surrounding early childhood education.
- Graduates will be admitted to early childhood bachelors degree programs.
- Graduates will be employed as early childhood education teachers in public and private early childhood settings.
- Graduates will be eligible to receive the Early Childhood Associates Certificate from the New Mexico Office of Child Development.
- Graduates will transform tribal communities through meaningful support of children and familites.
- Graduates will discuss the relationships between theories of growth, development, and learning in early childhood education practices spanning birth through third grade.
- Graduates will plan and implement lessons/activities that demonstrate knowledge of developmentally appropriate practices.
- Graduates will explain how developmental variations, family culture, language, and environment influence a child's growth and development.
