Early Childhood Education

Associate in Arts
Transfer Degree
Cost
$11,576*

Mold young minds

With your Associate in Arts (A.A.) in Early Childhood Education (E.C.E.), prepare to continue your education at a 4-year university. Build a foundation in a variety of teaching scenarios—not just the classroom—with your noble dedication to coursework.

Learn to supervise and encourage play to develop the minds of youngsters 0 to 8-years-old. Study concepts such as child development, math and technology for the classroom. Get a head start in the professional world today.

What can you do with an A.A. in Early Childhood Education?

Maximize your career trajectory. Work with an Academic Success Advisor who recommends the best way to transfer to your preferred university. Then, obtain an Illinois State Board of Education teaching license.

With additional education, you can help people as a:

  • kindergarten through 2nd Grade teacher
  • private preschool and childcare center director
  • child assessor

Start right away with your associate degree in roles such as:

  • assistant teacher
  • lead teacher
  • family childcare provider
  • paraprofessional

Highlights

  • Illinois Gateways to Opportunity

    Coursework is aligned with state-recognized requirements. 
  • Stackable Credentials

    Earn and learn as you go with stackable credentials.
  • Financial Aid/Scholarships Available

    Based on need and/or achievement. Explore ways to pay for college.
  • Transfer Degree

    Save on your first 2 years and transfer your credits to the 4-year school of your choice.
  • Program Length: 2 Years

    Full-time students finish in 2 years.

Career Outlook

Need help?

Your College & Career Navigator (CCN) helps you

  • complete the admission process
  • choose an academic program
  • enroll in first-semester classes
  • get access to helpful resources

Talk to a CCN

Recommended Pathway

This pathway serves as a guide for students to complete the degree or certificate assuming full-time enrollment (registered in 12 or more credit hours per semester) with Semester 1 typically representing a Fall term.

Students are strongly encouraged to meet with their College and Career Navigator (CCN) to identify coursework that will meet degree requirements based on individual academic goals. For a more inclusive list of course options and degree requirements, see the college catalog.

Icon Key

  • Credit for prior learning available
  • Dual credit options available
  • Global citizenship
  • Online/Virtual options available
  • Course Code Course Title Credits Course Highlights
    CLC 120 2
    ENG 121 3
    MTH 121 3
    ART 121 3
    ECE 121 3
    • Course Code CLC 120
      Course Title
      Credits 2
      Course Highlights
    • Course Code ENG 121
      Course Title
      Credits 3
      Course Highlights
    • Course Code MTH 121
      Course Title
      Credits 3
      Course Highlights
    • Course Code ART 121
      Course Title
      Credits 3
      Course Highlights
    • Course Code ECE 121
      Course Title
      Credits 3
      Course Highlights

    Course options: Students can choose other fine arts courses instead of ART 121.

  • Course Code Course Title Credits Course Highlights
    ENG 122 3
    MTH 221 3
    BIO 120 4
    CMM 121 3
    ECE 124 3
    • Course Code ENG 122
      Course Title
      Credits 3
      Course Highlights
    • Course Code MTH 221
      Course Title
      Credits 3
      Course Highlights
    • Course Code BIO 120
      Course Title
      Credits 4
      Course Highlights
    • Course Code CMM 121
      Course Title
      Credits 3
      Course Highlights
    • Course Code ECE 124
      Course Title
      Credits 3
      Course Highlights

    Course options: Students can choose other life sciences courses instead of BIO 120.

  • Course Code Course Title Credits Course Highlights
    CHM 142 4
    PSC 121 3
    SOC 121 3
    PHI 125 3
    ECE 141 3
    • Course Code CHM 142
      Course Title
      Credits 4
      Course Highlights
    • Course Code PSC 121
      Course Title
      Credits 3
      Course Highlights
    • Course Code SOC 121
      Course Title
      Credits 3
      Course Highlights
    • Course Code PHI 125
      Course Title
      Credits 3
      Course Highlights
    • Course Code ECE 141
      Course Title
      Credits 3
      Course Highlights

    Course options: Students can choose other courses instead of CHM 142, PSC 121 and SOC 121. Students also can choose a concentration/elective course other than ECE 141.

  • Course Code Course Title Credits Course Highlights
    HST 222 3
    MUS 124 3
    ECE 223 3
    ECE 220 3
    ECE 229 3
    • Course Code HST 222
      Course Title
      Credits 3
      Course Highlights
    • Course Code MUS 124
      Course Title
      Credits 3
      Course Highlights
    • Course Code ECE 223
      Course Title
      Credits 3
      Course Highlights
    • Course Code ECE 220
      Course Title
      Credits 3
      Course Highlights
    • Course Code ECE 229
      Course Title
      Credits 3
      Course Highlights

    Course options: Students can choose other courses instead of HST 222 and MUS 124. Students also can choose other concentration/elective courses instead of ECE 223, ECE 220 and ECE 229.

Total Credit Hours

61

*Cost is estimated based on recommended pathway credit hours. This includes in-district tuition and other fees, such as books and materials before financial aid is applied, as well as grants, loans or scholarships. There are many opportunities for financial assistance at CLC. Learn more about Cost of Attendance.


Learn how CLC helps you transfer

Start at CLC and continue with a 4-year school to earn your bachelor's degree. CLC has partnerships with many colleges and universities, covering a wide range of programs.

Our Guaranteed Transfer Partnerships (GTAs) with a select number of schools guarantee admission to students who meet specific criteria.



Female student taking notes in class

Early Childhood Education at CLC

Get the bigger picture

This degree is just one possible way to study early childhood education. Get the bigger picture—degrees, credentials and extra options.

View the Early Childhood Education program overview

Frequently asked questions

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