Early Childhood Education: Associate of Arts and Bachelor of Arts Programs

The Early Childhood Education (ECED) program is a stackable AA to BA program. The program includes sixty (60) credits of coursework earned as part of the Associates of Arts in Early Childhood Education and an addition 60 credits that lead to a Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education and Licensure in Early Childhood Education-Pre K- Grade 3. The program’s coursework is focused on the social and developmental needs of young students ranging from age three to third grade.
The competency-based program is aligned to the New Mexico’s Early Childhood Education & Development Articulation Catalog of Courses and Programs (2020). The Early Childhood Education Program is accredited by the New Mexico Public Education Department (November 2019).
This supports New Mexico's students in streamlining the 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 New Mexico Public Education Department's professional licensure system. The alignment of higher education and these two state departments works to ensure highly qualified caregivers, educators, home visitors, early interventionists, program administrators and mentors in the field of early childhood services.
Associate of Arts: The Associate of Arts (AA) program offers instruction and practical experience working with young children and their families.
Bachelor of Arts: The Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education is approved by the New Mexico Public Education Department. The BA program 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.
Program Resources
Practicum Experience