Associate of Applied ScienceEarly Childhood Development
Shape: Shape young minds during the most important years of development. Your guidance, encouragement, and support can influence a child’s confidence, creativity, and love of learning.
Support: Support children and families through hands-on practicum experiences in real early learning environments. Build practical skills in lesson planning, classroom management, and child development.
Grow: Develop the professional skills needed to build a career in Head Start, preschools, or licensed childcare programs and prepare for leadership roles such as center director or opening your own early learning center.
If you love working with young children and want to be part of their development and learning, consider a rewarding career in early childhood.
This program focuses on supporting developmentally appropriate practice and creating high-quality early learning experiences for young children. You’ll also learn management and communication skills for working with staff and parents. Coursework is based on guidelines set by the National Association for the Education of Young Children.
After earning an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree in Early Childhood Development, you can go directly into the workplace. For those interested in pursuing a bachelor’s degree, we will work with you on selecting courses that will transfer into university programs.
An In-Demand Career
The demand for qualified early childhood professionals continues to grow due to the number of families that depend on childcare, and as society recognizes the importance of early childhood education. The field of early childhood is projected to grow 11% from 2020 to 2030, faster than the average for other occupations.*
*Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Preschool Teachers,
at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/preschool-teachers.htm (visited August 13, 2022).
A Career in Early Childhood Offers Opportunities
Get the education and skills you’ll need to be successful in a variety of settings:
- Early Learning Centers
- Head Start Programs
- Infant/Toddler Programs
- Licensed Child Care Centers
- Preschools
Early Childhood Education Pathways
You have a few options for starting, or continuing, your education as an early childhood professional.
- Get started with short-term certificate
- Earn a two-year AAS degree and get additional skills to advance your career
- Pursue a bachelor’s degree for even more opportunities
Earn a Short-Term Certificate and CDA Credential
Three Rivers also offers a short-term certificate program in Early Childhood Development that provides preparation and guidance for obtaining a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential from the Council for Professional Recognition.
Contact
Heather Cornman
Assistant Professor/Coordinator, Early Childhood Development
Three Rivers College Catalog
Get information about core courses, electives and concentrations in our current academic course catalog.
