Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education

If your career goal is to teach children from birth to pre-kindergarten age in childcare centers and in-home settings, Lane Community College offers a two year, Early Childhood Education Associate of Applied Science Degree as well as a one year, ECE Certificate. Lane’s Early Childhood Education program develops skilled professionals who care for and educate our community’s children. Our graduates work in a variety of private and public child care settings and in family child care and early intervention programs. Graduates may also work with families and community organizations as parenting coaches, policy makers, and advocates. We’ll help you follow your passion and find your next steps in this program. What you'll learn; Design and implement a Reggio-inspired curriculum approach. Apply age-appropriate strategies to help children develop empathy, moral autonomy, self-worth and the ability to self-regulate in challenging situations. Develop and apply research skills. Administer and manage the day-to-day operations of child care programs. Work effectively with children and families. Lane Community College graduates go on to work in preschool programs, continue their education, begin their own child care centers, and more. You'll have the opportunity for additional and ongoing professional development through Lane as well as organizations such as Quality Care Connections and the Oregon Registry Professional Development (myORO). All students seeking a degree or certificate in Early Childhood Education must complete 1-3 terms of student teaching (ECE 240). You’ll be able to complete your student teaching requirement in Lane’s childcare center lab school on Lane’s main campus. Center staff, families, and all student teachers enrolled in ECE 240 will be expected to follow mandated safety protocols. 

Career Path 

Graduate career path includes Preschool Teacher, Childcare Center Assistant Teacher, Head Start Program Assistant, Infant/Toddler Caregiver, Early Childhood Program Aide, Teacher’s Assistant, Child Development Center Assistant, Family Childcare Provider, Early Intervention Assistant, Special Needs Classroom Aide, After-School Program Facilitator, Playgroup Coordinator, Parent Educator Assistant, Early Literacy Support Worker, Childcare Licensing Assistant, Community Outreach Worker, Recreational Program Leader, Child Advocacy Program Assistant, Early Childhood Curriculum Assistant , Children’s Museum Program Assistant.