Rio Salado College is proud to offer a variety of Associate Degree options:

1. The Associate in Applied Science (AAS) for Early Childhood Education prepares individuals to work within the field of early childhood education (ECE), focusing on programs serving children birth through 8 years of age. The courses are based on current ECE theory and practice, are offered in a variety of formats, and are scheduled to accommodate those who are already working in the ECE field.

   Associate in Applied Science (AAS) Early Childhood Education check sheet

2. In partnership with Northern Arizona University (NAU), this collaborative agreement provides a flexible and non-traditional means of obtaining general education courses and teacher education foundation courses. Students earn a 69 credit hour Associate degree at Rio Salado College (RSC) and then may elect to transfer to Northern Arizona University to complete a Bachelor’s Degree.

   Associate in Transfer Partnership (ATP) check sheet

3. The Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Family Life Education will prepare individuals to enter the family life education, human development, or child and family organizations field at the paraprofessional level. Students at a paraprofessional level can expect to find employment opportunities in adoption and foster care, adult day care centers, crisis intervention programs, group and halfway houses, hospice care, senior citizen centers, social service agencies (both private and State/local government), facilities for the disabled and developmentally challenged individuals, community mental health clinics, psychiatric facilities, shelters and other child and family, community-based organizations. Students completing this degree may elect to transfer to Ottawa University to complete a Human Services degree.

   Associate in Applied Science (AAS) Family Life Education check sheet

4. The Associate in Applied Science (AAS) for Early Childhood Administration is designed as an integrated program of study that provides an educational foundation in early childhood education plus administrative and management courses specifically related to the business needs and practices of early childhood directors, owners and other management-level staff. Students completing this 66 - 68 credit hour program will have completed over half of the coursework requirements for the Early Childhood Administration as a component of a Bachelor in Business Administration partnership pathway with Northcentral University.

   Associate in Applied Science (AAS) for Early Childhood Administration check sheet

At the ATP level:   Meets SUCCEEDS Practitioner Career Level IVA.
At the B.Ed. level:  Meets SUCCEEDS Practitioner Career Level VA.

Rio Salado College Early Childhood Education courses are offered in-person through the Weekend College and online .

For additional information regarding Early Childhood Undergraduate and Professional Development programs, contact Rio Salado College Student Enrollment Services at 480-517-8580 or e-mail.  To register for Early Childhood Education courses, please visit the Rio Salado College class schedule.