The Associate of Science Early Childhood Education degree (AS ECE) meets all of the requirements for an Associate of Arts Oregon Transfer (AAOT) degree while giving a strong foundation in early childhood education - allowing students to earn a degree that will meet employment requirements for many early childhood programs, and provide an opportunity for a seamless transfer into a bachelor's degree program.

All courses specific to early childhood education degrees and certificates are offered online through Southwestern’s online platform. Transfer courses that meet Southwestern's course outcomes are readily accepted into the program.

Southwestern's AS ECE degree is articulated with Eastern Oregon University's online bachelor's degree with a focus on Early Childhood Education and Southern Oregon University's Early Childhood Development program.  This degree can also lead to a bachelor's degree in human development, early childhood education, or social science with a certificate in early childhood education at Portland State University (PSU) Distance Education programs. Students may petition for adjustments in the Southwestern AS degree if course requirements are met for the first two years of any regionally accredited four-year institution offering a degree in education, early childhood education, family studies, human or child development.

For further program information, contact the Childhood Education faculty at ece@socc.edu.

Southwestern's Early Childhood Education (ECE AS) program goals are to:

• Empower its graduates by enabling them to acquire the knowledge and skills that will allow them to excel in their careers or further educational goals.
•  Support teachers’ professional growth and development.
•  Provide models for teacher candidates to develop effective knowledge, skills, and attitudes.

Graduates of the Early Childhood Education (ECE AS) program will possess broad general education and content area knowledge, remain effective and reflective practitioners and problem solvers, apply innovative learning technologies, and participate in opportunities for professional growth.

Entry Requirements

Students are required to complete the College's placement process to determine skill level and readiness in math and writing. As part of their training program, students must begin with the courses within their skill level as determined by the placement process.

Note that each practicum site may have separate immunization requirements.

Graduation Requirements

Students must complete a minimum of 97 credit hours with a cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.0 or better. All courses must be completed with a grade of ‘C’ or better. Twenty-four (24) credits must be completed at Southwestern before the degree is awarded.

Courses that are developmental in nature (designed to prepare students for college transfer courses) are not applicable to this degree.

Complete the graduation application process one term prior to the term of completion (e.g., spring term graduates must apply during winter term). 

Credit for Prior Learning

Credit for prior learning options are available for students with a Preschool Child Development Associate (CDA) credential, an Infant Toddler Child Development Associate (CDA) credential, or a Step Seven on the Oregon Registry.

Program Student Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this degree, students will have knowledge and skills in the following areas:

• Observe, Document, and Assess to Support Young Children and Families
• Use Developmentally Effective Approaches
• Promote Child Development and Learning
• Build Family and Community Relationships

Math and writing placement are unique to each student and are determined during the admissions and intake advising process.  Additional math or writing courses may be required prior to taking the math or writing program requirements in this degree.

Plan of Study Grid

First Year
Fall		Credits
ECE150	Introduction and Observation in ECE	4
ECE225	Infant & Toddler Development	3
MTH105Z & MTH105A	Math in Society and Corequisite Support for MTH105 1	5
WR121Z & WR121A	Composition I and Corequisite Support for WR121Z	5
	Credits	17
Winter
ECE163	Environments and Guidance in ECE 2	3
ECE163B	Practicum I ECE 2	2
ECE151	Guidance and Classroom Management	3
ED240	Child Development	3
WR122Z	Composition II	4
Science/Mathematics/Computer Science 3		4
	Credits	19
Spring
COMM218Z	Interpersonal Communication 6	4
ECE154	Children's Language and Lit Dev	3
ECE209	Theory and Practice I Pre-K 2	3
ECE209B	Practicum II Pre-K 2	2
ECE229	Development in Middle Childhood	3
	Credits	15
Second Year
Fall
ECE102	Theory and Practice II Pre-K 2	3
ECE102B	Practicum III Pre-K 2	2
ECE240	Lesson and Curriculum Planning	3
ED169	Overview of Student Special Needs	3
Science/Mathematics/Computer Science 3		4
	Credits	15
Winter
ECE227	Parents as Partners in Education	3
ED258	Multicultural Education	3
Arts and Letters 4		3
Arts and Letters 4		3
Elective 3		4
	Credits	16
Spring
ECE222	Family Relations	3
ED134	Children Who are Dual Lang Learners	2
PE231	Wellness for Life 5	3
Arts and Letters 4		3
Science/Mathematics/Computer Science 3		4
	Credits	15
	Total Credits	97

¹

A higher math may be substituted including MTH211, MTH212, and MTH213.

²

ECE163, ECE209, and ECE102 must be taken in sequence with their co-requisite practicum courses. Exception granted with instructor approval. Call 541-888-7405 to schedule with the Internship Coordinator one month prior to term.

³

AS Science/Mathematics/Computer Science designated courses will satisfy this requirement. GS104, GS106, GS107, or GS108 are recommended.

⁴

AS Arts & Letters designated courses will satisfy this requirement. Students with first year Foreign Language or ASL are recommended to take second year of the same language. ART131, ENG109, or HUM206 are also recommended.

⁵

HE250 may be substituted for PE231

⁶

COMM100Z, COMM111Z or COMM219 may be substituted for COMM218Z.