Early Childhood Program Overview

Program Overview Early Childhood Education Program

This page gives a short explanation of the six different certificates and degrees available in RTC's Early Childhood Education Program.

• Initial Certificate
  • You will be qualified to as an assistant teacher, as long as you are 18 years old and have completed your high school diploma or GED.
• Short Certificate
  • You will be qualified to work as a lead teacher as long as you also are 18 years old and have a high school diploma or GED.
  • The Short Certificate includes the Initial Certificate.
• State Certificate
  • This is recommended for an owner or director of a childcare center or home daycare.
  • The State Certificate includes the Initial and Short Certificates.
• Certificate of Completion
  • This is recommended for an owner or director of a childcare center or home daycare, and for students who want to earn a degree.
  • The Certificate of Completion includes the Initial, Short and State Certificates.
• Associate of Applied Science AAS Degree
  • You may need a degree for some childcare center director jobs.
  • You will be qualified to work as an ECEAP or Head Start lead teacher in the state of Washington.
  • The AAS Degree includes all 4 certificates. 
• Associate of Applied Science-Transfer AAS-T Degree
  • You may need a degree for some childcare center director jobs.
  • You will be qualified to work as an ECEAP or Head Start lead teacher in the state of Washington.
  • The AAS-T Degree includes all 4 certificates. 
  • You will be more prepared for a Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) Degree.