Early Childhood AAS and AAS-T

Program Details Page Early Childhood AAS & AAS-T

Here is a general overview of what your classes will look like following each quarter. This information may change. Please contact your advisor for more information regarding the courses. To see which materials are needed for your courses, click this bookstore link (Links to an external site.) and enter the course information.

General Overview

When can I start? Fall (September), Winter (January), Spring (April), or Summer (July)

length of the program icon How long is the program?

  • 7 quarters (18 to 20 months) with 90 credits for the AAS degree
  • 7 quarters (18 to 20 months) with 95 total credits for the AAS-T

When do classes meet? Mostly online. Practicum courses require students to complete a certain number of hours in childcare setting.

The Early Childhood Education (ECE) program offers a series of stackable certificates to meet Washington State requirements to work in a home daycare or child care center.

An associate degree in Early Childhood Education may be required for some childcare center director jobs. You also need a degree to work as an ECEAP or Head Start lead teacher in the state of Washington. Click here to learn more about ECEAP and Head Start Links to an external site..

The Associate of Applied Science-Transfer (AAS-T) degree prepares you to enroll in applied bachelor degree (BAS) programs in Early Learning. See the 'ECE Transfer Destinations' tab below for different options.

What does a childcare center director do?

What is the average salary?

$58,180 annually (Links to an external site.) in the Seattle-Bellevue-Tacoma area. Most childcare workers in King County earn at least $45,300.

 

Who can I contact with questions?

 (Links to an external site.)

Overall Materials Needed:

  1. Access to a functioning laptop or computer (you may use computers on the RTC campus)
  2. Working internet connection
  3. Office school supplies ($25)
  4. Textbooks and software for General Education classes (approximately $50 for AAS and $100 for AAS-T)

You must pass all courses with a 2.0 GPA or higher to graduate.

Materials Warning

Some materials on this page are listed as TBD, which means that the materials have yet to be determined. Please consult your instructor on what textbooks or materials are required for the class.  If you rent a textbook, make sure you return it by the deadline. If you purchase a textbook, you can sell it back to the RTC bookstore -- but make sure that you won't need the book again for classes in the future!

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Fall - Full-Time

Quarter 1

 [Fall] Quarter 1 Course Information
Estimated Tuition and Fees: $1,657
You study different ways to guide children and build positive relationships with their families. You also learn how to prepare healthy snacks, identify illnesses, and support families with information about nutrition and health.
It's time to apply for your Initial certificate! You complete your Initial Certificate this quarter.
Course ID
Course Name
Materials
Credits
COL 101 College Success NO 2
ECED& 105 Introduction to ECE NO 5
ECED& 107 Health, Safety, Nutrition NO 5
ECED& 120 Practicum-Nurturing Relationships NO 2

Quarter 2

[Winter] Quarter 2 Course Information
Estimated Tuition and Fees: $1,848
 You learn how the brain develops from birth through childhood. This knowledge will help you understand children's behavior, create appropriate activities, and help them grow. You also study different indoor and outdoor environments that help children learn safely.
It's time to apply for your Short-term certificate You complete your Short-term Certificate this quarter.
Course ID
Course Name
Materials
Credits
EDUC& 115
 Child Development NO 5
EDUC& 130 Guiding Behavior NO 3
ECED& 170
 Learning Environments NO 3
ECED& 150 Child, Family, Community NO 3

Quarter 3

[Spring] Quarter 3 Course Information
Estimated Tuition and Fees: $1,765
 Learn about anti-bias curriculum and create your own lessons to help young children develop their speaking and listening skills. Your Technology class focuses on basic computer skills like e-mail; you also make a newsletter and presentation that could be shared with teachers and parents. 
Course ID
Course Name
Materials
Credits
ECED& 160 Curriculum Development NO 5
ECED& 180 Language and Literacy NO 3
ECC 120 Culture and Diversity NO 3
ECC 202 Technology for Teachers NO 2

Quarter 4

[Summer] Quarter 4 Course Information
Estimated Tuition and Fees: $1,685
AAS-T pathway: Take AMATH 190. It is the prerequisite for your transfer math class in Quarter 7.
Course ID
Course Name
Materials
Credits
COMP 100
or ENGL& 101		 Applied Composition
or English Composition (required for the AAS-T degree)		 varies by class 5
ECC 192 Practicum II NO 4

CMST& 220 (can also be taken in Quarter 6 if preferred)

 Public Speaking (recommended) or another humanities option varies by class 5

Quarter 5

[Fall] Quarter 5 Course Information
Estimated Tuition and Fees: $1,755
You will take a special education class and learn more about assessing children for their learning needs.
COMP 100 will meet the requirements for the AAS degree, but you must complete ENGL& 101 for the AAS-T transfer degree.
It's time to apply for your State Certificate and Certificate of Completion!
Course ID
Course Name
Materials
Credits
ECED& 190 Observation and Assessment NO 3
EDUC& 203 Exceptional Child NO 3
ECC 185 Curriculum Development II NO 5
ECC 193 Practicum III NO 4

Quarter 6

[Winter] Quarter 6 Course Information
Estimated Tuition and Fees: $1,841
Take two General Education classes, one in humanities and one in social science.
AAS-T pathway: Take AMATH 190. It is the prerequisite for your transfer math class in Quarter 7.
Recommended classes are ones that meet admission requirements for BAS programs. 
Course ID
Course Name
Materials
Credits
AMATH 175 or 190 Financial Math or Financial Algebra NO 5
CMST& 220 Public Speaking (recommended) or another humanities option varies by class 5
PSYC& 200 Lifespan Psychology (recommended) or another social science option varies by class 5

Quarter 7

[Spring] Quarter 7 Course Information
Estimated Tuition and Fees: $1,461 for AAS pathway (10 credits); $1,866 for AAS-T (15 credits)
It's time to apply for your AAS or AAS-T degree!
Course ID
Course Name
Materials
Credits
ECC 250 Early Childhood Capstone NO 5
ECC 290 Practicum IV - Implementing DAP NO 5
for AAS-T only
MATH& 107		 Math in Society (recommended) or another MATH& option YES 5

Grand Total Estimate for Early Childhood AAS: $12,086

Grand Total Estimate for Early Childhood AAS-T: $12,541

Winter - Full-Time

Quarter 1

 [Winter] Quarter 1 Course Information
Estimated Tuition and Fees: $1,657
You study different ways to guide children and build positive relationships with their families. You also learn how to prepare healthy snacks, identify illnesses, and support families with information about nutrition and health.
It's time to apply for your Initial certificate!  You complete your Initial Certificate this quarter.
Course ID
Course Name
Materials
Credits
COL 101 College Success NO 2
ECED& 105 Introduction to ECE NO 5
ECED& 107 Health, Safety, Nutrition NO 5
ECED& 120 Practicum-Nurturing Relationships NO 2

Quarter 2

[Spring] Quarter 2 Course Information
Estimated Tuition and Fees: $1,765
 Learn about anti-bias curriculum and create your own lessons to help young children develop their speaking and listening skills. Your Technology class focuses on basic computer skills like e-mail; you also make a newsletter and presentation that could be shared with teachers and parents. 
Course ID
Course Name
Materials
Credits
ECED& 160
 Curriculum Development NO 5
ECED& 180 Language and Literacy NO 3
ECC 120
 Culture and Diversity NO 3
ECC 202 Technology for Teachers NO 2

Quarter 3

[Summer] Quarter 3 Course Information
Estimated Tuition and Fees: $1,685
 You learn how the brain develops from birth through childhood. This knowledge will help you understand children's behavior, create appropriate activities, and help them grow. It's time to apply for your Short-term certificate You complete your Short-term Certificate this quarter.
Course ID
Course Name
Materials
Credits
ECC 192 Practicum II NO 4
EDUC& 115 Child Development NO 5
EDUC& 130 Guiding Behavior NO 3

Quarter 4

[Fall] Quarter 4 Course Information
Estimated Tuition and Fees: $1,755
 COMP 100 will meet the requirements for the AAS degree, but you must complete ENGL& 101 for the AAS-T transfer degree.
Course ID
Course Name
Materials
Credits
COMP 100
or ENGL& 101		 Applied Composition
or English Composition (required for the AAS-T degree)		 varies by class 5
ECED& 190 Observation and Assessment NO 3
EDUC& 203 Exceptional Child NO 3
ECC 193 Practicum III NO 4

Quarter 5

[Winter] Quarter 5 Course Information
Estimated Tuition and Fees: $1,848
You study different indoor and outdoor environments that help children learn safely.
AAS-T pathway: Take AMATH 190. It is the prerequisite for your transfer math class in Quarter 6.
It's time to apply for your State Certificate and Certificate of Completion!
Course ID
Course Name
Materials
Credits
AMATH 175 or 190 Financial Math or Financial Algebra NO 5
ECC 290 Practicum IV - Implementing DAP NO 5
ECED& 170 Learning Environments NO 3
ECED& 150 Child, Family, and Community NO 3

Quarter 6

[Spring] Quarter 6 Course Information
Estimated Tuition and Fees: $1,866
Recommended classes are ones that meet admission requirements for BAS programs. 
Course ID
Course Name
Materials
Credits
ECC 250 Early Childhood Capstone NO 5
CMST& 220 Public Speaking (recommended) or another humanities option varies by class 5
ECC 185 Curriculum Development II NO 5

Quarter 7

[Summer] Quarter 7 Course Information
Estimated Tuition and Fees: $1,436 for AAS (10 credits), $1,841 for AAS-T (15 credits)
 Recommended classes are ones that meet admission requirements for BAS programs. 
It's time to apply for your AAS or AAS-T degree!
Course ID
Course Name
Materials
Credits
PSYC& 200 Lifespan Psychology (recommended) or another social science option varies by class 5
for AAS-T only
MATH& 107		 Math in Society (recommended) or another MATH& option YES 5

Grand Total Estimate for Early Childhood AAS: $12,086

Grand Total Estimate for Early Childhood AAS-T: $12,541

Spring - Full-Time

Quarter 1

 [Spring] Quarter 1 Course Information
Estimated Tuition and Fees: $1,657
You study different ways to guide children and build positive relationships with their families. You also learn how to prepare healthy snacks, identify illnesses, and support families with information about nutrition and health.
It's time to apply for your Initial certificate! You complete your Initial Certificate this quarter.
Course ID
Course Name
Materials
Credits
COL 101 College Success NO 2
ECED& 105 Introduction to ECE NO 5
ECED& 107 Health, Safety, Nutrition NO 5
ECED& 120 Practicum-Nurturing Relationships NO 2

Quarter 2

[Summer] Quarter 2 Course Information
Estimated Tuition and Fees: $1,685
 You learn how the brain develops from birth through childhood. This knowledge will help you understand children's behavior, create appropriate activities, and help them grow. It's time to apply for your Short-term certificate! You complete your Short-term Certificate this quarter.
Course ID
Course Name
Materials
Credits
COMP 100
or ENGL& 101		 Applied Composition
or English Composition (required for the AAS-T degree)		 varies by class 5
ECC 192 Practicum II NO 4
EDUC& 115 Child Development NO 5
EDUC& 130 Guiding Behavior NO 3

Quarter 3

[Fall] Quarter 3 Course Information
Estimated Tuition and Fees: $1,848
Course ID
Course Name
Materials
Credits
ECED& 190 Observation and Assessment NO 3
EDUC& 203 Exceptional Child NO 3
COMP 100
or ENGL& 101		 Applied Composition
or English Composition (required for the AAS-T degree)		 varies by class 5
ECC 193 Practicum III NO 4

Quarter 4

[Winter] Quarter 4 Course Information
Estimated Tuition and Fees: $1,730
 You study different indoor and outdoor environments that help children learn safely.
AAS-T pathway: Take AMATH 190. It is the prerequisite for your transfer math class in Quarter 6.
COMP 100 will meet the requirements for the AAS degree, but you must complete ENGL& 101 for the AAS-T transfer degree. 
Course ID
Course Name
Materials
Credits
CMST& 220 Public Speaking (recommended) or another humanities option varies by class 5
ECED& 170 Learning Environments NO 3
ECED& 150 Child, Family, and Community NO 3
AMATH 175 or AMATH 190 Financial Math or Financial Algebra NO 5

Quarter 5

[Spring] Quarter 5 Course Information
Estimated Tuition and Fees: $1,765
  Learn about anti-bias curriculum and create your own lessons to help young children develop their speaking and listening skills. Your Technology class focuses on basic computer skills like e-mail; you also make a newsletter and presentation that could be shared with teachers and parents.
It's time to apply for your State Certificate and Certificate of Completion!
Course ID
Course Name
Materials
Credits
ECED& 160 Curriculum Development NO 5
ECED& 180 Language and Literacy NO 3
ECC 120 Culture and Diversity NO 3
ECC 202 Technology for Teachers NO 2

Quarter 6

[Summer] Quarter 6 Course Information
Estimated Tuition and Fees: $1,841
 Recommended classes are ones that meet admission requirements for BAS programs. 
Course ID
Course Name
Materials
Credits
ECC 290 Practicum IV - Implementing DAP NO 5
PSYC& 200 Lifespan Psychology (recommended) or another social science option varies by class 5

Quarter 7

[Fall] Quarter 7 Course Information
Estimated Tuition and Fees: $1,486 for AAS (10 credits), $1,841 for AAS-T (15 credits)
 
It's time to apply for your AAS or AAS-T degree!
Course ID
Course Name
Materials
Credits
ECC 250 Early Childhood Capstone NO 5
ECC 185 Curriculum Development II NO 5
for AAS-T only
MATH& 107		 Math in Society (recommended) or another MATH& option YES 5

Grand Total Estimate for Early Childhood AAS: $12,086

Grand Total Estimate for Early Childhood AAS-T: $12,541

Summer - Full-Time

Quarter 1

 [Summer] Quarter 1 Course Information
Estimated Tuition and Fees: $1,657
You study different ways to guide children and build positive relationships with their families. You also learn how to prepare healthy snacks, identify illnesses, and support families with information about nutrition and health.
It's time to apply for your Initial certificate! You complete your Initial Certificate this quarter.
Course ID
Course Name
Materials
Credits
COL 101 College Success NO 2
ECED& 105 Introduction to ECE NO 5
ECED& 107 Health, Safety, Nutrition NO 5

Quarter 2

[Fall] Quarter 2 Course Information
Estimated Tuition and Fees: $1,848
You learn how the brain develops from birth through childhood. This knowledge will help you understand children's behavior, create appropriate activities, and help them grow. You also study different indoor and outdoor environments that help children learn safely.
It's time to apply for your Short-term certificate You complete your Short-term Certificate this quarter.
Course ID
Course Name
Materials
Credits
EDUC& 115
 Child Development NO 5
EDUC& 130 Guiding Behavior NO 3
ECED& 190 Observation and Assessment NO 3
ECED& 120 Practicum-Nurturing Relationships NO 2

Quarter 3

[Winter] Quarter 3 Course Information
Estimated Tuition and Fees: $1,730
You study different indoor and outdoor environments that help children learn safely.
COMP 100 will meet the requirements for the AAS degree, but you must complete ENGL& 101 for the AAS-T transfer degree.
Course ID
Course Name
Materials
Credits
ECED& 170 Learning Environments NO 3
ECED& 150 Child, Family, and Community NO 3
ECC 192 Practicum II NO 4
COMP 100
or ENGL& 101		 Applied Composition
or English Composition (required for the AAS-T degree)		 varies by class 5

Quarter 4

[Spring] Quarter 4 Course Information
Estimated Tuition and Fees: $1,765
 Learn about anti-bias curriculum and create your own lessons to help young children develop their speaking and listening skills. Your Technology class focuses on basic computer skills like e-mail; you also make a newsletter and presentation that could be shared with teachers and parents.
Course ID
Course Name
Materials
Credits
ECED& 160 Curriculum Development NO 5
ECED& 180 Language and Literacy NO 3
ECC 120 Culture and Diversity NO 3
ECC 202 Technology for Teachers NO 2

Quarter 5

[Summer] Quarter 5 Course Information
Estimated Tuition and Fees: $1,685
AAS-T pathway: Take AMATH 190. It is the prerequisite for your transfer math class in Quarter 7.
It's time to apply for your State Certificate and Certificate of Completion!
Course ID
Course Name
Materials
Credits
AMATH 175 or 190 Financial Math or Financial Algebra or MATH& option NO 5
ECC 193 Practicum III NO 4
CMST& 220 Public Speaking (recommended) or another humanities option varies by class 5

Quarter 6

[Fall] Quarter 6 Course Information
Estimated Tuition and Fees: 1,891
Course ID
Course Name
Materials
Credits
EDUC& 203 Exceptional Child NO 3
ECC 250 Early Childhood Capstone NO 5
ECC 185 Curriculum Development II NO 5

Quarter 7

[Winter] Quarter 7 Course Information
Estimated Tuition and Fees: $1,436 for AAS (10 credits), $1,841 for AAS-T (15 credits)
 Recommended classes are ones that meet admission requirements for BAS programs. 
It's time to apply for your AAS or AAS-T degree!
Course ID
Course Name
Materials
Credits
ECC 290 Practicum IV - Implementing DAP NO 5
PSYC& 200 Lifespan Psychology (recommended) or another social science option varies by class 5
for AAS-T only
MATH& 107		 Math in Society (recommended) or another MATH& option YES 5

Grand Total Estimate for Early Childhood AAS: $12,086

Grand Total Estimate for Early Childhood AAS-T: $12,541

ECE Transfer Destinations

After you earn your AAS-T degree, you may be interested in an applied bachelor (BAS) degree.

There are many BAS degrees in early childhood education. Some focus on very young children and preschool, while other programs allow you to complete your state teaching certification for elementary school (kindergarten to grade 8, or K-8). Teacher certification programs do have more requirements and rules.

All of these BAS programs require a minimum overall or cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher. Links should take you to the BAS program site for that college.  (Links to an external site.)

Each school decides how they will transfer classes. Your goal is to earn direct course transfer credit. Some classes will earn direct credit automatically. Other classes might require a review. To make this process go smoothly, save course syllabi and major projects.

Not quite the career path you want to take? Let's go back to the Program Map!

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