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Associate in Science for Transfer Degree
Early Childhood Education

The Associate in Science in Early Childhood Education for Transfer (AS-T) Degree is intended to meet the lower division requirements for Early Childhood Education majors (or simi- lar majors) at a CSU campus that offers an Early Childhood Education baccalaureate degree.

This degree is designed for students interested in gaining the basic concepts and applications of the field of Early Childhood Education and for students looking to meet the state minimum requirements to work in the field. These courses will provide students with a solid foundation in theory, pedagogy,       principles and practices that will serve them for either transferring to a four-year college or in the workplace.

Early Childhood Education students will be supported by a Student Success Team in the Behavioral and Social Sciences Area of Interest. Please contact the Student Success Team for this program if you have any questions.

Apply Now!


Sample Education Plan

This sample education plan for the 2023-2024 catalog year represents one possible pathway through the program. Each university (UC, CSU, private, and others) has their own transfer requirements; please see a counselor to create an education plan that is customized to meet your needs. Additional course descriptions may be found in the College Catalog.
Select sample path/map:
CourseUnitsTypically Offered
1st Semester
CD 102 - Nutrition, Health and Safety for ChildrenM3.0
CD 102 - Nutrition, Health and Safety for Children (3.0 units)

Advisory:It is advised that students be able to engage in written composition at a college level and read college-level texts.
Transfers to: CSU

This course is designed for students interested in working in group care and/or educational programs that enroll children from infancy to early adolescence. The course focuses on preventative health and safety practices in group care environments for both children and adults, and integrating these practices into daily program planning and development. The course also introduces students to the laws, regulations, standards, policies and procedures, and child development curriculum related to child nutrition, health, and safety. Topics include prevention and recognition of infectious disease, immunization, dental and mental health, child nutrition, menu planning, sanitary food handling, injury prevention, emergency preparedness and evacuation, and providing services for children with special needs; as well as child abuse prevention, identification, and reporting responsibilities. The importance of program collaboration with families and health professionals also is addressed. This course meets the Department of Social Services (DSS) Classification Indicator DS7 and the State of California Department of Education Title 5 Child Development Permit.

CD 106 - Child Growth and Development (CSU GE E)M3.0
CD 106 - Child Growth and Development (3.0 units)

Advisory:It is advised that students be able to engage in written composition at a college level and read college-level texts.
Transfers to: UC (*Credit limit), CSU
(*Students will receive credit for only one of the following coursers: CD 106 or PSY 112)

This course provides an overview of human growth from conception to adolescence. The theories of development relevant to life through the teenage years are introduced and the social, emotional, cognitive and physical aspects of these early stages of life are addressed. This course is appropriate for students preparing for a profession working with children and their families or those interested in furthering their understanding of child and adolescent development. This course is also designed to meet the Department of Social Service Classification DS1 and applies toward the State of California Title 5 requirement for the Child Development Permit.

ENGL 101 - College Composition and Research (CSU GE A2)GE3.5
ENGL 101 - College Composition and Research (3.5 units)

Prerequisite:Enrollment requires appropriate placement (based on high school GPA and/or other measures), or eligibility for college composition.
Transfers to:UC, CSU

This composition course enables students to generate logical, coherent essays that incorporate sources necessary for academic and professional success. Students become proficient in researching, evaluating, and incorporating sources, and in learning critical reading and thinking skills through expository and persuasive reading selections before applying these skills to creating original documented essays. The writing workshop component of the course is designed to assist students with improving and refining their writing and language skills: Students complete writing workshop activities that enhance their ability to compose logical, well-supported arguments that exhibit grammatical fluency and correct citation styles. Students meet with composition instructors through individual or small group conferences that address students’ specific writing concerns. This course is designed for students who wish to fulfill the General Education requirement for Written Communication.

CSU ElectiveEL3.0

Select a course that transfers to CSU. Please see a counselor to discuss course options.

Total Semester Units:12.5 
2nd Semester
CD 208 - Child, Family and Community (CSU GE D)M3.0
CD 208 - Child, Family and Community (3.0 units)

Advisory:It is advised that students be able to engage in written composition at a college level and read college-level texts.
Transfers to: UC, CSU

This course is designed for students desiring to work with children in a group setting, as well as for parents and others who wish to further their understanding of how the socio-cultural environment affects the developing child. The course examines the historical and contemporary interrelationship of family, school and community on child development. The process of socialization and identity formation will be highlighted, showing the importance of respectful, reciprocal relationships that support and empower families. This course meets the Department of Social Services Classification Indicator DS2 and the State of California Department of Education Title 5 Child Development Permit.

CD 110 - Principles and Practices of Early Childhood EducationM3.0
CD 110 - Principles and Practices of Early Childhood Education (3.0 units)

Advisory:
Transfers to: CSU

This course is designed for students who seek to work in educational programs for children from birth to age eight. The course examines the underlying theoretical principles of developmentally appropriate practices applied to programs and environments, emphasizing the key role of relationship, constructive adult-child interaction, and teaching strategies in supporting physical, social, creative, and intellectual development for all children. This course includes a review of the historical roots or early childhood programs and the evolution of the professional practices promoting advocacy, ethics, and professional identity. This course applies towards the childcare licensing category 3 (DS3) as authorized by Title 22 within the California Department of Social Services (CDSS), as well as the California teacher credentialing requirements for the child development permit.

Select one: PSY 190 / MATH 130 / MATH 130H (CSU GE B4)*GE4.0
Notes:
While the above course(s) are recommended, students may take any of the following courses to fulfill this requirement:  FIN 101, MATH 130/H, MATH 140, MATH 150, MATH 160, MATH 170, MATH 175, MATH 180, MATH 190/H, PSY 190.

PSY 190 - Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences (4.0 units)

Prerequisite:Enrollment requires appropriate placement (based on high school GPA and/or other measures), or completion of a pre-statistics or an intermediate algebra course.
Advisory:ENGL 101 and the ability to read college-level texts.
Transfers to: UC (*credit limit), CSU
(*The UC will grant credit for only one of the following courses: MATH 130 or MATH 130H or PSY 190)

This course provides an overview of the types of statistics that are important in the behavioral sciences. It is designed to teach students majoring in psychology, sociology, political science, and anthropology how to present and interpret experimental data. The course focuses on hypothesis testing and the statistics used to analyze assumptions, with topics including basic probability, measures of central tendency, measures of variance, sampling, and inferential statistics.

MATH 130 - Statistics (4.0 units)

Prerequisite:Enrollment requires appropriate placement (based on high school GPA and/or other measures), or completion of a pre-statistics or an intermediate algebra course.
Advisory: ENGL 101; READ 101
Transfers to: UC (*crdit limit),CSU
(*Students will receive credit for only one of the following courses: MATH 130 or MATH 130H)

This course is designed for students majoring in business, social sciences, and life sciences. This course provides an overview of descriptive and inferential statistics. Students learn to read, interpret, and present data in a well-organized way via a study of frequency distributions, graphs, measures of central tendency and variability, correlation, and linear regression. While discussing inferential statistics, students learn to make generalizations about populations, including probability, sampling techniques, confidence intervals, and hypothesis tests.

MATH 130H - Statistics Honors (4.0 units)

Prerequisite:Enrollment requires appropriate placement (based on high school GPA and/or other measures), or completion of a pre-statistics or an intermediate algebra course. ENGL 101
Advisory: READ 101
Transfers to: UC (8credit limit), CSU
(*Students will receive credit for only one of the following courses: MATH 130 or MATH 130H)

This course is designed for students majoring in business, social sciences, and life sciences. This course provides an overview of descriptive and inferential statistics. Students learn to read, interpret, and present data in a well-organized way via a study of frequency distributions, graphs, measures of central tendency and variability, correlation, and linear regression. While discussing inferential statistics, students learn to make generalizations about populations, including probability, sampling techniques, confidence intervals, and hypothesis tests. This course is intended for students who meet Honors Program requirements.

CSU GE A1 - Oral CommunicationGE3.0

Note: All honors courses have a prerequisite.

Select one: SPCH 100, 101, 101H, 120, 140

CSU GE F - Ethnic StudiesGE3.0

Notes:
Students who started at Rio Hondo College beginning in Fall 2021 or later and returning students who have not maintained continuous enrollment will be required to complete a course in Area F. Students who started at Rio Hondo College prior to Fall 2021 and have maintained continuous enrollment will not be required to complete a course in Area F (instead, they will complete 9 units from at least two disciplines in Area D). Please see a counselor for details.

Select one:
CHST 101
EGSS 110

Total Semester Units:16.0 
Summer 1
CD 111 - Early Childhood Education CurriculumM3.0
CD 111 - Early Childhood Education Curriculum (3.0 units)

Advisory:It is advised that students be able to engage in written composition at a college level and read college-level texts.
Transfers to: CSU

This introductory course presents current concepts in childhood curriculum development and implementation. The student will design curriculum based on observation and assessment of young children to support play and learning using developmental, inclusive and anti-bias principles in collaboration with families to support all children; demonstrate knowledge of the teachers’ role in evaluating best practices and apply understanding of children’s learning and development. This course is meant for students who plan to create and implement children’s educational programs. This course is also designed to meet the State of California Title 22 Department of Social Service Classification Indicator DS3 and applies toward the State of California Title 5 requirements for the Child Development Permit.

CSU GE C1 - ArtsGE3.0†

Notes:
All honors courses have a prerequisite.
† some classes may have higher units.

Select one:
ARCH 103
ART 101, 104, 105, 105H, 106, 106H, 107, 108, 109, 110, 112, 113, 115, 117, 120, 121, 130, 135, 140
DANC 179, 179H, 199, 199H
GDSN 110
MUS 101, 129, 130, 131, 132, 133, 135, 136
MUST 151, 152
PHTO 110, 130
THTR 101, 105, 105H, 110, 150

Total Semester Units:6.0† 
3rd Semester
CD 224 - Diversity Issues During Early Childhood, School Age and AdolescenceM3.0
CD 224 - Diversity Issues During Early Childhood, School Age and Adolescence (3.0 units)

Advisory:It is advised that students be able to engage in written composition at a college level and read college-level texts.
Transfers to: CSU

This course is designed for students interested in working in children's programs and educational settings, and addresses the similarities, variety, and multiplicity found within programs and educational settings for young children, school age children, and adolescents. Topics covered include family values, culture, race, gender, social class, sexual preference, language, and abilities. Focus also is placed on developmental appropriateness in addressing diversity, parental perspectives, and the effects of diversity on the domains of development. This course meets the Department of Social Services (DSS) Classification Indicator DS 3 and applies towards the State of California Department of Education Title 5 Child Development Permit.

CD 114 - Observation and AssessmentM3.0
CD 114 - Observation and Assessment (3.0 units)

Advisory:It is advised that students be able to engage in written composition at a college level and read college-level texts.
Transfers to: CSU

This course is designed for students working towards a Child Development Permit. The course focuses on the appropriate use of assessment and observation strategies applied to document development, growth, play, and learning in order to join with families and professionals in promoting children’s success and maintaining quality programs. Recording strategies, rating systems, portfolios, and multiple assessment methods are explored. Advantages and disadvantages of observation techniques, observer bias, and cultural considerations are discussed. This course meets the Department of Social Services (DSS) Classification Indicator DS3 and applies toward the State of California Title 5 requirement for the Child Development Permit.

CSU GE A3 - Critical ThinkingGE3.0†

Notes:
All honors courses have a prerequisite.
† some classes may have higher units. 

Select one:
ENGL 201, 201H; PHIL 110, 110H, 112, 112H, 115; READ 101; SPCH 140

US HISTORY (CSU GE C2)GE3.0

Note: All honors courses have a prerequisite.

All CSU campuses have a graduation requirement in American Institutions. Students may choose one of the following US History courses to partially fulfill this requirement: HIST 143, 143H, 144, 144H, 156, 157, 158, 159, 159H, 170.

CSU GE B1 - Physical SciencesGE3.0†

Notes:
All honors courses have a prerequisite.
† some classes may have higher units. 
All labs or courses with labs are indicated by an '*'.

Select one:
ASTR 110, 110H, 112*, 137*
CHEM 110*, 120*,130*, 140*, 230*, 231*
GEOG 101, 101L*
GEOL 150, 151*, 152, 152L*
PHY 120*, 150*, 160*, 211*, 212*, 213*
CHEM 110*, 120*,130*, 140*, 230*, 231*
GEOG 101, 101L*
GEOL 150,151*
PHY 120*, 150*, 160*, 211*, 212*, 213*

Total Semester Units:15.0† 
4th Semester
CD 228 - Early Childhood Education PracticumM3.0
CD 228 - Early Childhood Education Practicum (3.0 units)

Prerequisite: CD 106, CD 110, CD 111, CD 114 and CD 208; Verification of immunizations against influenza, pertussis, and measles and freedom from tuberculosis are necessary to fulfill the lab requirement of this course.
Transfers to: CSU

In this capstone course the student will practice and demonstrate developmentally appropriate early childhood program planning and teaching competencies under the supervision of Child Development faculty and other qualified early education professionals. Students will utilize practical classroom experiences to make connections between theory and practice, develop professional behaviors, and build a comprehensive understanding of children and families. Child centered, play-oriented approaches to teaching, learning, and assessment; and knowledge of curriculum content areas will be emphasized as student teachers design, implement and evaluate experiences that promote positive development and learning for all young children. This course is designed for students looking for a supervised field/laboratory experience in an early childhood setting. The course meets The Department of Social Services Classification Indicator DS3 and applies towards the State of California Department of Education Title 5 Child Development Permits. 3.4 consecutive hours of weekly supervised field experience at the Rio Hondo College Child Development Center are required. Schedule must be established prior to the start of the semester. Beginning times are typically 7:30am, 8:30am, 9:30 am or 1:45 pm. Verification of freedom from tuberculosis and immunizations against influenza, pertussis, and measles are required prior to the semester's start. For more information, contact CDCinfo@riohondo.edu.

CSU GE B2 - Biological SciencesGE3.0†

Notes:
All honors courses have a prerequisite.
† some classes may have higher units. 
All labs or courses with labs are indicated by an '*'.

Select one:
ANTH 101, 101H, 101L*
BIOL 101*, 105, 105L*, 111, 111L*, 112*, 120, 120L*, 200*, 201*, 206, 222*, 226*
BIOT 100*; PSY 210, 210H
BIOL 101*, 105, 105L*, 111, 111L*, 112*, 120, 120L*, 200*, 201*, 206, 222*, 226*
BIOT 100; PSY 210, 210H

CSU GE B3 - Lab ScienceGE1.0

Select one if lab has not been completed in CSU B1 or B2.
All labs or courses with labs are indicated by an '*'

Select one: POLS 110 / POLS 110H (CSU GE D)GE3.0
POLS 110 - Government of the United States (3.0 units)

Advisory:It is advised that students be able to engage in written composition at a college level and read college-level texts.
Transfers to: UC (*credit limit), CSU
(*Students will receive credit for only one of the following courses: POLS 110 or POLS 110H)

This course surveys and analyzes the origins, principles, institutions, policies, and politics of U.S. National and California State Governments, including their constitutions. Emphasis is placed on the rights and responsibilities of citizens, and an understanding of the political processes and issues involved in the workings of government. This course fulfills the American Institutions requirement for the Associate Degree. It also is suitable for students wishing to expand their knowledge of local, state and national governments.

POLS 110H - Government of the United States Honors (3.0 units)

Prerequisite: ENGL 101
Advisory:It is advised that students be able to read college-level texts.
Transfers to: UC (*credit limit), CSU
(*Students will receive credit for only one of the following courses: POLS 110 or POLS 110H)

This course surveys and analyzes the origins, principles, institutions, policies, and politics of U.S. National and California State Governments, including their constitutions. Emphasis is placed on the rights and responsibilities of citizens, and an understanding of the political processes and issues involved in the workings of government. This course fulfills the American Institutions requirement for the Associate Degree. It also is suitable for students wishing to expand their knowledge of local, state and national governments. This course is intended for students eligible for the Honors Program.

CSU GE C1 - ArtsGE3.0†

Notes:
All honors courses have a prerequisite.
† some classes may have higher units.

Select one:
ARCH 103
ART 101, 104, 105, 105H, 106, 106H, 107, 108, 109, 110, 112, 113, 115, 117, 120, 121, 130, 135, 140
DANC 179, 179H, 199, 199H
GDSN 110
MUS 101, 129, 130, 131, 132, 133, 135, 136
MUST 151, 152
PHTO 110, 130
THTR 101, 105, 105H, 110, 150

Total Semester Units:13.0† 
Total Units for Early Childhood Education AS-T program (Transfer to CSU)62.5† 
Notes:
AP exams and courses taken outside of Rio Hondo College may fulfill general education and/or major requirements. Please check with a counselor.
*PSY 190 is the preferred math/quantitative reasoning course for Behavioral and Social Science majors. Please meet with a counselor to discuss major preparation requirements.
Legend:
Some classes may have higher units
M Major course; course may also meet a general education requirement
GEGeneral Education course
ELElective Course
Advising Sheet:
Click or tap here to open the program's advising sheet.

Program Learning Outcomes

About RHC

Rio Hondo College, serving the communities of El Monte, Pico Rivera, Santa Fe Springs, South El Monte, and Whittier for over 50 years.

Contact

Rio Hondo College
3600 Workman Mill Road
Whittier, CA 90601

Phone: (562) 692-0921
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