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Education/Teaching

Overview Degrees/Certificates Courses

This major provides students with principles, practices, and competencies related to teaching California’s K-12 youth. Students are immersed in practices inclusive of all children; including children who are culturally and linguistically diverse and children with special needs. Students will gain practical fieldwork experience working with and/or observing children at their site placements within Elk Grove Unified School District.

This major is especially designed for students who plan to transfer into California State University, Sacramento's Teacher Preparation Program, providing the lower division coursework necessary to gain admission to the university and the Elementary Teacher Credential Program. Students planning to transfer in this major should consult with a counselor as requirements vary among transfer universities.

Degrees and Certificates Offered

A.A.-T. in Elementary Teacher Education for Transfer
A.A. in Early Childhood Education
A.A. in Early Childhood Education, Site Supervisor
A.A. in Liberal Studies for Elementary Education
Early Childhood Education - Master Teacher Certificate
Early Childhood Education, School Age Child Care and Education Certificate

Dean Emilie Mitchell
Department Chair Jeannette Mulhern
Phone (916) 691-7142
Email mitchee@crc.losrios.edu

Associate Degrees for Transfer

A.A.-T. in Elementary Teacher Education for Transfer

The Associate in Arts in Elementary Teacher Education for Transfer Degree (AA-T) is designed to provide a seamless transfer pathway for students interested in pursuing at least one Elementary Teacher Education degree option in the California State University (CSU) system. The degree is comprised of lower division coursework typically required by CSU institutions. Students must complete the core curriculum and electives to meet a total of 60 transferable units, which includes the CSU General Education Breadth or the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) pattern. Upon successful completion of the degree requirements, students will be guaranteed admission to the CSU system with junior status and will not have to repeat lower division coursework. Students are encouraged to meet with a counselor to develop their educational plans as degree options and general education requirements vary for each university.

Catalog Date: August 1, 2024

Degree Requirements

Course Code	Course Title	Units
ECE 350	Introduction to Elementary Teaching with Field Experience	3
GEOL 305	Earth Science	3
GEOL 306	Earth Science Laboratory	1
COMM 301	Introduction to Public Speaking	3
ENGWR 300	College Composition	3
MATH 310	Mathematical Discovery	3
BIOL 307	Biology of Organisms (4)	4
or BIOL 310	General Biology (4)
HIST 307	History of World Civilizations to 1500	3
ENGWR 301	College Composition and Literature	3
GEOG 320	World Regional Geography	3
POLS 301	Introduction to Government: United States	3
ECE 312	Child Development	3
PHYS 310	Conceptual Physics (3)	3
COMM 311	Argumentation and Debate (3)	3
or COMM 315	Persuasion (3)
or ENGWR 302	Advanced Composition and Critical Thinking (3)
ARTH 300	Art Appreciation (3)	3
or MUFHL 300	Introduction to Music (3)
or TA 300	Introduction to the Theatre (3)
Total Units:		44

The Associate in Arts in Elementary Teacher Education for Transfer for Transfer (AA-T) degree may be obtained by completion of 60 transferable, semester units with a minimum overall grade point average (GPA) of 2.0, including (a) a minimum grade of "C" (or "P") for each course in the major or area of emphasis described in the Required Program, and (b) either the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) or the California State University General Education-Breadth Requirements.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:

Apply knowledge and skills gained in various disciplines to ensure transfer to a CSU campus in preparation for successful completion of upper division coursework after transfer (PSLO #1)
Use the scientific methods of inquiry, data collection, quantitative reasoning, and basic mathematical concepts to analyze information in appropriate disciplines
Apply analytical reading and writing, research, and critical thinking essential for completing of assigned tasks
Describe the nature of American government and compare and contrast local, state and national political institutions
Write and speak effectively, demonstrating the ability to evaluate audience and appeal to it persuasively
Apply knowledge of world history and cultures to identify the values of a culture and work with others of a diverse culture
Compare and contrast various forms and styles of music, artworks, and theatrical performances
Evaluate attitudes, actions, and behaviors indicative of a professional educator (PSLO #2)
Apply knowledge of developmental theories to assess teaching practices and learning conditions in children and classroom situations. (PSLO #3)

Career Information

The AA-T in Elementary Teacher Education provides students with the foundational knowledge necessary for transfer to a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree program, especially at a campus of the California State University (CSU) system. Career opportunities for students who have earned BA degrees in Elementary Teacher Education include but are not limited to: Teacher, primary grades; Teacher, intermediate grades; Teacher, private school; Instructional Assistant. Many careers require additional training beyond the Bachelor Degree. NOTE TO TRANSFER STUDENTS: The Associate Degree for Transfer program is designed for students who plan to transfer to a campus of the California State University (CSU). Other than the required core, the courses you choose to complete this degree will depend to some extent on the selected CSU for transfer. In addition, some CSU-GE Breadth or IGETC requirements can also be completed using courses required for this associate degree for transfer major (known as “double-counting”). Meeting with a counselor to determine the most appropriate course choices will facilitate efficient completion of your transfer requirements. For students wishing to transfer to other universities (UC System, private, or out-of-state), the Associate Degree for Transfer may not provide adequate preparation for upper-division transfer admissions; it is critical that you meet with a CRC counselor to select and plan the courses for the major, as programs vary widely in terms of the required preparation.

Associate Degrees

A.A. in Early Childhood Education

This program provides a comprehensive foundation for in-depth early childhood teacher preparation both through strong general education and principles and practices in child development and in early childhood curriculum and pedagogy. Topics include an introduction to the profession, observation techniques, age-appropriate curriculum, the child in the context of family and culture, and health and safety practices for early childhood educators.

Note to Transfer Students:

If you are interested in transferring to a four-year college or university to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in this major, it is critical that you meet with a CRC counselor to select and plan the courses for your major. Schools vary widely in terms of the required preparation. The courses that CRC requires for an Associate’s degree in this major may be different from the requirements needed for the Bachelor’s degree.

Catalog Date: August 1, 2024

Degree Requirements

Course Code	Course Title	Units
ECE 300	Introduction to Principles and Practices in Early Childhood Education	3
ECE 312	Child Development (3)	3
ECE 314	The Child, the Family and the Community (3)	3
ECE 415	Children's Health, Safety and Nutrition (3)	3
ECE 326	Making Learning Visible Through Observation and Documentation	3
ECE 320	Curriculum and Interactions in Early Childhood Education	4
ECE 430	Culture and Diversity in Early Childhood Education	3
ECE 321	Advanced Practicum in Early Childhood Education	4
ECE 404	Children with Special Needs	3
ECE 424	Adult Supervision: Mentoring in a Collaborative Learning Setting	2
A minimum of 9 units from the following:		9
ECE 322	Promoting Children's Social Competence (3)
ECE 342	Constructive Math and Science in Early Childhood Education (3)
ECE 343	Language and Literacy Development in Early Childhood (3)
ECE 365	Creative Projects and Experiences for Young Children (3)
ECE 307	Introduction to Bilingual Education (3)
ECE 361	Introducing Young Children to Visual Arts (3)
A minimum of 3 units from the following:		3
ECE 330	Infant and Toddler Development (3)
ECE 331	Care and Education of Infants and Toddlers (3)
ECE 356	Programs for the School-Age Child (3)
ECE 402	Infants with Atypical Development (3)
Total Units:		43

The Early Childhood Education Associate in Arts (A.A.) degree may be obtained by completion of the required program, plus general education requirements, plus sufficient electives to meet a 60-unit total. See CRC graduation requirements.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:

PSLO 1: (Development and Learning) Analyze and synthesize research and theories to support development and learning. Evaluate and implement developmentally appropriate and culturally relevant approaches to teaching and learning which support the whole child including foundational skills and concepts in language and literacy, math, science, art, health and wellness, and social relationships.
PSLO 2: (Equity and Cultural Sustainability) Construct knowledge based on the principles of anti-bias education in order to design environments that promote justice, equity and inclusion for all children, families, and communities.
PSLO 3: (Professionalism) Develop competencies, professional skills, and plans for professional growth. Integrate reflective practices to support professional growth as an Early Childhood professional. Understand and integrate the NAEYC Code of Ethics to support children, families, and other educators.
PSLO 4: (Observation, Documentation and Assessment) Utilize authentic assessment strategies based on observation, reflection, documentation, and interpretation of children’s development to inform teaching practices.
PSLO 5: (Family Engagement) Incorporate strategies for building respectful and reciprocal relationships with families, children and the community in order to support children's development and learning. Develop knowledge and skills to provide a responsive curriculum and learning environment that reflects the children and the families in the program.
PSLO 6: (Leadership) Understanding and commitment to leadership development that empowers, encourages, cultivates, and supports self and others to become agents of change and advocate for high-quality early care and education experiences for all children, support for families, and professional stature of educators.

Career Information

Upon completion of the A.A. degree, a student possesses the course work required to work as a teacher in both private and public early care and education settings, serving infants through preschool-age children. Additionally, the individual can work as a teacher in before-and-after school programs, serving school-age children.

A.A. in Early Childhood Education, Site Supervisor

Administration of early care and education programs is the main focus of this degree. Topics include administration, supervision and coordination of staff in early childhood settings. Additionally, it provides the educational coursework that serves as the core curriculum for the early childhood education field. Along with documented experience, this certificate leads to the Site Supervisor Permit issued by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing and is required of those individuals supervising a publicly funded early childhood education site.

Catalog Date: August 1, 2024

Degree Requirements

Course Code	Course Title	Units
ECE 300	Introduction to Principles and Practices in Early Childhood Education	3
ECE 312	Child Development (3)	3
ECE 314	The Child, the Family and the Community (3)	3
ECE 415	Children's Health, Safety and Nutrition	3
ECE 326	Making Learning Visible Through Observation and Documentation	3
ECE 320	Curriculum and Interactions in Early Childhood Education	4
ECE 430	Culture and Diversity in Early Childhood Education	3
ECE 404	Children with Special Needs	3
ECE 321	Advanced Practicum in Early Childhood Education	4
ECE 420	Administration I: Programs in Early Childhood Education	3
ECE 422	Administration II: Personnel and Leadership in Early Childhood Education	3
ECE 424	Adult Supervision: Mentoring in a Collaborative Learning Setting	2
A minimum of 3 units from the following:		3
ECE 322	Promoting Children's Social Competence (3)
ECE 342	Constructive Math and Science in Early Childhood Education (3)
ECE 343	Language and Literacy Development in Early Childhood (3)
ECE 365	Creative Projects and Experiences for Young Children (3)
ECE 307	Introduction to Bilingual Education (3)
ECE 361	Introducing Young Children to Visual Arts (3)
A minimum of 3 units from the following:		3
ECE 330	Infant and Toddler Development (3)
ECE 331	Care and Education of Infants and Toddlers (3)
ECE 402	Infants with Atypical Development (3)
Total Units:		43

The Early Childhood Education, Site Supervisor Associate in Arts (A.A.) degree may be obtained by completion of the required program, plus general education requirements, plus sufficient electives to meet a 60-unit total. See CRC graduation requirements.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:

PSLO 1: (Development and Learning) Analyze and synthesize research and theories to support development and learning. Evaluate and implement developmentally appropriate and culturally relevant approaches to teaching and learning which support the whole child including foundational skills and concepts in language and literacy, math, science, art, health and wellness, and social relationships.
PSLO 2: (Equity and Cultural Sustainability) Construct knowledge based on the principles of anti-bias education in order to design environments that promote justice, equity and inclusion for all children, families, and communities.
PSLO 3: (Professionalism) Develop competencies, professional skills, and plans for professional growth. Integrate reflective practices to support professional growth as an Early Childhood professional. Understand and integrate the NAEYC Code of Ethics to support children, families, and other educators.
PSLO 4: (Observation, Documentation and Assessment) Utilize authentic assessment strategies based on observation, reflection, documentation, and interpretation of children’s development to inform teaching practices.
PSLO 5: (Family Engagement) Incorporate strategies for building respectful and reciprocal relationships with families, children and the community in order to support children's development and learning. Develop knowledge and skills to provide a responsive curriculum and learning environment that reflects the children and the families in the program.
PSLO 6: (Leadership) Understanding and commitment to leadership development that empowers, encourages, cultivates, and supports self and others to become agents of change and advocate for high-quality early care and education experiences for all children, support for families, and professional stature of educators.

Career Information

Upon completion of this certificate, the student exceeds the minimum requirements to work as a director/site supervisor in a privately funded early care and education program. With documented experience supervising staff, the student also meets the requirements to work as a director/site supervisor in a publicly funded early care and education program.

A.A. in Liberal Studies for Elementary Education

This major is designed for students who wish to be teachers in public and private elementary schools. Further education at the university level will be required to fulfill all requirements for a teaching credential authorizing service in California public schools.

Note to Transfer Students:

If you are interested in transferring to a four-year college or university to pursue a bachelor’s degree in this major, it is critical that you meet with a CRC counselor to select and plan the courses for your major. Schools vary widely in terms of the required preparation. The courses that CRC requires for an Associate’s degree in this major may be different from the requirements needed for the Bachelor’s degree.

Catalog Date: August 1, 2024

Degree Requirements

Course Code	Course Title	Units
ENGWR 300	College Composition	3¹
COMM 361	The Communication Experience	3
ENGED 305	Structure of English	3
ENGWR 302	Advanced Composition and Critical Thinking	3
MATH 310	Mathematical Discovery	3
BIOL 307	Biology of Organisms (4)	4
or BIOL 310	General Biology (4)
GEOL 305	Earth Science	3
GEOL 306	Earth Science Laboratory	1
ECON 302	Principles of Macroeconomics	3
POLS 301	Introduction to Government: United States	3
HIST 307	History of World Civilizations to 1500	3
HIST 308	History of World Civilizations, 1500 to Present	3
ENGED 320	Service Learning: Tutoring Elementary Students in Reading	3
ECE 350	Introduction to Elementary Teaching with Field Experience	3
ART 430	Art and Children	3
ECE 312	Child Development (3)	3
SOC 321	Race, Ethnicity and Inequality in the United States (3)	3
or COMM 325	Intercultural Communication (3)
or ENGLT 336	Race and Ethnicity in Contemporary American Literature (3)
Total Units:		50

¹The program requirements listed here for CSUS apply to students completing this course sequence by Fall 2007. Students should contact a counselor about the new program requirements which were effective with the Fall 2004-05 catalog.

The Liberal Studies for Elementary Education Associate in Arts (A.A.) degree may be obtained by completion of the required program, plus general education requirements, plus sufficient electives to meet a 60-unit total. See CRC graduation requirements.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:

Apply knowledge, skills and abilities towards successful completion of coursework at transfer institutions.
Apply knowledge of child development theories to assess the characteristics of teaching practices and learning conditions.

Career Information

Teacher, primary grades; Teacher, intermediate grades; Instructional Assistant Classes beyond the associate degree may be required to fulfill some career options or for preparation for transfer to a university program.

Certificates of Achievement

Early Childhood Education - Master Teacher Certificate

This certificate meets the requirements for teaching in a publicly funded early care and education program. It requires an additional 6 units of specialized study beyond the teacher level certificate, allowing the student to select a particular focus of study (i.e., infant/toddler; culture and diversity; health and nutrition; children’s literature; and art or music for young children). Applicants must verify required experience teaching children and supervising staff to be recommended to the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing for issuance of the Master Teacher Child Development Permit.

Catalog Date: August 1, 2024

Certificate Requirements

Course Code	Course Title	Units
ECE 300	Introduction to Principles and Practices in Early Childhood Education	3
ECE 312	Child Development (3)	3
ECE 314	The Child, the Family and the Community (3)	3
ECE 326	Making Learning Visible Through Observation and Documentation	3
ECE 404	Children with Special Needs (3)	3
ECE 320	Curriculum and Interactions in Early Childhood Education	4
ECE 430	Culture and Diversity in Early Childhood Education	3
ECE 321	Advanced Practicum in Early Childhood Education	4
ECE 415	Children's Health, Safety and Nutrition	3
ECE 424	Adult Supervision: Mentoring in a Collaborative Learning Setting	2
A minimum of 16 units from the following:		16
ENGWR 300	College Composition (3)
MATH 310	Mathematical Discovery (3)
or MATH 300	Introduction to Mathematical Ideas (3)
FCS 324	Human Development: A Life Span (3)
or PSYC 371	Life Span Developmental Psychology (3)
HUM 300	Classical Humanities (3)
or PHIL 310	Introduction to Ethics (3)
or PHOTO 420	History of Photography (3)
SPAN 401	Elementary Spanish I (4)
or VIET 401	Elementary Vietnamese (4)
or DEAF 310	American Sign Language I (4)
To be eligible for the Child Development Permit (Master Teacher Level) through California Commission on Teacher Credentialing students must complete, "sixteen diversified semester units in general education (i.e., at least one course in each of the following areas: Humanities and/or Fine Arts, Social Sciences, Math and/or Science, and English/Language Arts)."[5 CCR § 80113, 5 CA ADC § 80113] General education units must be transferable.
Students will select a Master Teacher "Specialization" consisting of six (6) units of focused content (see below). Contact ECE Instructional Faculty for information on experience and supervised experience requirements all Child Development Permits.
Subtotal Units:		47

Curriculum, Specialization Option

Course Code	Course Title	Units
A minimum of 6 units from the following:		6
ECE 342	Constructive Math and Science in Early Childhood Education (3)
ECE 343	Language and Literacy Development in Early Childhood (3)
ECE 365	Creative Projects and Experiences for Young Children (3)
ECE 322	Promoting Children's Social Competence (3)
ECE 307	Introduction to Bilingual Education (3)
ECE 361	Introducing Young Children to Visual Arts (3)
Curriculum, Specialization Option Units:		6
Total Units:		53

Infant and Toddler Care, Specialization Option

Course Code	Course Title	Units
A minimum of 6 units from the following:		6
ECE 331	Care and Education of Infants and Toddlers (3)
ECE 330	Infant and Toddler Development (3)
ECE 402	Infants with Atypical Development (3)
Infant and Toddler Care, Specialization Option Units:		6
Total Units:		53

School-Age Care, Specialization Option

Course Code	Course Title	Units
ECE 356	Programs for the School-Age Child	3
ECE 350	Introduction to Elementary Teaching with Field Experience	3
School-Age Care, Specialization Option Units:		6
Total Units:		53

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:

PSLO 1: (Development and Learning) Analyze and synthesize research and theories to support development and learning. Evaluate and implement developmentally appropriate and culturally relevant approaches to teaching and learning which support the whole child including foundational skills and concepts in language and literacy, math, science, art, health and wellness, and social relationships.
PSLO 2: (Equity and Cultural Sustainability) Construct knowledge based on the principles of anti-bias education in order to design environments that promote justice, equity and inclusion for all children, families, and communities.
PSLO 3: (Professionalism) Develop competencies, professional skills, and plans for professional growth. Integrate reflective practices to support professional growth as an Early Childhood professional. Understand and integrate the NAEYC Code of Ethics to support children, families, and other educators.
PSLO 4: (Observation, Documentation and Assessment) Utilize authentic assessment strategies based on observation, reflection, documentation, and interpretation of children’s development to inform teaching practices.
PSLO 5: (Family Engagement) Incorporate strategies for building respectful and reciprocal relationships with families, children and the community in order to support children's development and learning. Develop knowledge and skills to provide a responsive curriculum and learning environment that reflects the children and the families in the program.
PSLO 6: (Leadership) Understanding and commitment to leadership development that empowers, encourages, cultivates, and supports self and others to become agents of change and advocate for high-quality early care and education experiences for all children, support for families, and professional stature of educators.

Career Information

This certificate qualifies students to be a master teacher or a supervising teacher in early care and education programs. Upon completion of this certificate and with documented related experience, the individual is eligible to be a lead teacher and/or mentor teacher in both publicly and privately funded programs serving young children and their families. Some career options may require more than two years of college study. Meet with a counselor and an ECE faculty to determine these options.

Early Childhood Education, School Age Child Care and Education Certificate

Upon completion of one of the following certificates, and with appropriate documented experience, the student meets the minimum requirements for employment in a privately funded child care program or family day care program. Certificates are designed to meet varying employment levels and focused training with infants and school-age children. These requirements are outlined in Title 22 (Department of Social Services) regulations for child care licensing.

Catalog Date: August 1, 2024

Certificate Requirements

Course Code	Course Title	Units
ECE 300	Introduction to Principles and Practices in Early Childhood Education	3
ECE 312	Child Development (3)	3
ECE 314	The Child, the Family and the Community (3)	3
ECE 326	Making Learning Visible Through Observation and Documentation	3
ECE 307	Introduction to Bilingual Education (3)	3
ECE 404	Children with Special Needs	3
ECE 320	Curriculum and Interactions in Early Childhood Education	4
ECE 321	Advanced Practicum in Early Childhood Education	4
Total Units:		26

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:

PSLO 1: (Development and Learning) Analyze and synthesize research and theories to support development and learning. Evaluate and implement developmentally appropriate and culturally relevant approaches to teaching and learning which support the whole child including foundational skills and concepts in language and literacy, math, science, art, health and wellness, and social relationships.
PSLO 2: (Professionalism) Develop competencies, professional skills, and plans for professional growth. Integrate reflective practices to support professional growth as an Early Childhood professional. Understand and integrate the NAEYC Code of Ethics to support children, families, and other educators.
PSLO 3: (Observation, Documentation and Assessment) Utilize authentic assessment strategies based on observation, reflection, documentation, and interpretation of children’s development to inform teaching practices.
PSLO 4: (Family Engagement) Incorporate strategies for building respectful and reciprocal relationships with families, children and the community in order to support children's development and learning. Develop knowledge and skills to provide a responsive curriculum and learning environment that reflects the children and the families in the program.

Career Information

Upon completion of this certificate and with appropriate documented experience, the student exceeds the minimum requirements for employment as a teacher in privately funded before-and-after school child care programs. These requirements are outlined in Title 22 (Department of Social Services) regulations for child care licensing.