Early Childhood Education
Associate in Science Degree for Transfer (AS-T) Child Development and Education · Orange Coast College · 2026-2027 Catalog
Students graduating with an Associate in Science in Early Childhood Education for Transfer Degree are well positioned to complete a Bachelor’s Degree in a similar major within the California State University system with 60 units of upper-division coursework. Students who complete the Early Childhood Education AS-T degree are guaranteed admission to the CSU system, but not to a particular campus or major. Students must maintain a minimum grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.0 in all CSU-transferable coursework. While a minimum 2.0 is required for CSU admission, some majors may require a higher GPA. Please consult a counselor for more information.
The Mission of this program is to grant students an AS-T degree in Early Childhood Education with 24 units in the major and prepares students to transfer to a CSU. This degree gives students priority admission to a local CSU campus, in a similar major, with junior status. Students are encouraged to also complete additional units to earn a CDE Certificate of Achievement.
Program Outcome
Program Learning Outcomes
- Students will be eligible and prepared for admission (SB 1440 and Education Code 66746) to California State University system schools.
Requirements
Associate Degree for Transfer Requirements
The following is required for all AA-T or AS-T degrees:
- Minimum of 60 CSU-transferable semester units.
- Minimum GPA of at least 2.0 in all CSU transferable coursework. While a minimum of 2.0 is required for admission, some majors require a higher GPA. Consult with a counselor for more information.
- Completion of a minimum of 18-semester units in the major as detailed in the Degree and Certificate section of this catalog. All courses in the major must be completed with a grade of C (or “P”) or better.
- Certified completion of the Cal-GETC/Breadth.
- A minimum of 12 units in residence within the Coast Colleges (Orange Coast College, Golden West College and/or Coastline College).
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Prerequisite Course Requirement | ||
| CDE A156 | Early Childhood Lab: Interactions with Young Children | 2 |
| Required Courses | ||
| CDE A126 | Teaching in a Diverse Society | 3 |
| CDE A127 | Health, Safety, and Nutrition | 3 |
| CDE A155 | Principles and Practices of Teaching Young Children | 3 |
| CDE A165 | Observing and Recording Child Behavior | 3 |
| CDE A180 | Child, Growth and Development | 3 |
| CDE A190 | Family, School and Community Partnerships | 3 |
| CDE A200 | ECE Program - The Curriculum | 3 |
| CDE A201 | Early Childhood Practicum - Field Experience | 3.5 |
| Total Major Units | 26.5 | |
| California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC) | up to 34 | |
| Transferable electives as needed to satisfy unit requirement | Varies | |
| Total Degree Units | 60 | |
- Some program major units may also meet GE requirements.
Program Sequence - Cal-GETC
These sequences at Orange Coast College are general course curriculum maps for students to finish all major and general education requirements for two-year completion of degrees, and/or fulfillment of transfer requirements. The course sequence may include course prerequisites and other placement requirements. Students are advised to meet with an Orange Coast College Counselor to review course selections and sequences to ensure that completion of this program will meet a student's transfer and career goals.
Year 1
| Semester 1 | Units |
|---|---|
| CDE A180 | Child, Growth and Development 1, 2 |
| CDE A155 | Principles and Practices of Teaching Young Children |
| Cal-GETC GE Area 1A - CHOOSE ONE | 3 |
| Cal-GETC GE AREA 1C- CHOOSE ONE | 3 |
| Cal-GETC GE Area 2 - CHOOSE ONE | 3-4 |
| Units |
| Semester 2 |
|---|
| CDE A156 |
| CDE A165 |
| Cal-GETC GE Area 1B - CHOOSE ONE |
| Cal-GETC GE AREA 3A- CHOOSE ONE |
| ELECTIVE (UC/CSU TRANSFERABLE) 5 |
| Summer |
|---|
| HIST A170or HIST A175 |
Year 2
| Semester 1 |
|---|
| CDE A190 |
| CDE A126 |
| CDE A200 |
| Cal-GETC GE Area 5A with lab - CHOOSE ONE 5 |
| Cal-GETC GE AREA 6 - CHOOSE ONE |
| Semester 2 |
|---|
| POLS C1000 (POLS A180)or POLS C1000H (POLS A180H) |
| CDE A201 |
| Cal-GETC GE AREA 5B (with lab)- CHOOSE ONE 5 |
| CDE A127 |
- Satisfies Cal-GETC Area 4
- CDE A156 is a prerequisite for EC A201 and require 3.5 hrs per week of lab time.
- CDE A165 requires 1 hour per week of observation
- American Institutions Requirement - CSU Graduation Requirement; or choose one course from Cal-GETC Area 3B or 4
- Lab can be taken with 5A or 5B
- American Institutions Requirement - CSU Graduation Requirement; or choose one course from Cal-GETC Area 4
- VARIES TO REACH MINIMUM 60 TRANSFERABLE UNITS. Not all courses are UC transferable. Please check with your counselor to ensure you have enough transferable units for your transfer goal. CDE A180 and CDE A190 are the only CDE courses that are UC transferable