More about the program:

As an early childhood education major, you’ll work closely with professors and peers in small classes where personal relationships enrich your learning. You’ll learn developmentally appropriate and culturally responsive best practices to teach all young children, including English Language Learners and children with disabilities.

This competency-based program is aligned to the New Mexico's Early Childhood Education & Development Articulation Catalog of Courses and Programs (2020), and accredited by the NMPED (November 2019) and the Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP, April 2024). This supports New Mexico's students in streamlining transfer of credited college coursework and in maintaining consistency in program requirements between the state's higher education institutions. Additionally, the programs and courses included here are in alignment and inherent to the New Mexico Early Childhood Education and Care Department's Early Care, Education, and Family Support Professional Development System, as well as the NMPED's professional licensure system.

The alignment of higher education and these two state departments works to ensure that caregivers, educators, home visitors, early interventionists, program administrators and mentors in the field of early childhood services are highly qualified.

AA - Associate of Arts in ECE: The Associate of Arts in Early Childhood Education program spans two years, offering instruction and practical experience working with young children and their families. This degree prepares graduates for entry-level positions in preschools, daycare centers, and elementary schools, laying the groundwork for transfer to a bachelor's program.

BA - Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education: The Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education leads to a New Mexico Early Childhood Teacher PreK-Grade 3 Licensure and successful completion of all NMPED required exams. The program offers extensive experience in both public and private schools. Instruction is centered on knowledge, skills and dispositions critical to student success among culturally and linguistically diverse populations. Graduates will be able to provide high-quality care and education to young children through experiential learning and developmentally appropriate practices.