Early Childhood Education
and Administration

Does nurturing others come naturally to you? Do you love working with children? If so, the OCC Career Advantage Early Childhood Education programs offer the training and experience you need to launch your career in the classroom or to move into administration at a child care, elementary school or other program for children aged 5 and younger. If you picture yourself as someone with a mission to hep children learn, grow and thrive, read on to learn how OCC can help you get there.

A sampling of courses for these careers

Creativity for Children
Teaching in a Diverse Society
Child Abuse I.D. and Referral 
Inclusion of Children with Disabilities

Current Issues in Early Childhood
Family, School, and Community Partnerships

Teacher sits across a table from a smiling child in a library

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Did you know?

Projected employment for preschool teachers in the U.S. is expected to increase by 11 percent through 2024.

Program Details

Complete one of our certificate programs, and you’ll be well-prepared to enter a career in early childhood education, and earn an associate degree for even greater advancement opportunities.

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In less than 2 years
you can earn:
Certificate of Achievement

Prepare for an entry-level position as a professional infant or toddler teacher. Learn theoretical and practical skills needed to work with children from birth to 2 years. Courses fulfill Title 22 licensing requirements and Title 5 early childhood education course requirements for the Child Development Permit at the teacher level. View program detail in course catalog.

Prepare for an entry-level position as a professional preschool teacher. Courses emphasize strong theoretical and practical skills needed to work with children 2-5 years. Courses fulfill Title 22 licensing requirements and Title 5 early childhood education course requirements for the Child Development Permit at the teacher level. View program detail in course catalog.

Prepare for a position as an associate teacher of preschool children. Courses emphasize strong theoretical and practical skills needed to work with children 2-5 years. Courses fulfill Title 22 licensing requirements and Title 5 early childhood education course requirements for the Child Development Permit at the teacher level. View program detail in course catalog.

Build on your early childhood certificate and prepare to become a child care director or administrator at an early childhood center. View program detail in course catalog.

Build on your certificate
of achievement with a:
Certificate of Specialization

Or earn your
associate degree
in under 4 years

Complete the Infant and Toddler Teacher Certificate of Achievement and the Associate in Science graduation requirements to earn an associate degree. This program prepares you for an entry-level position as a professional infant or toddler teacher. Learn theoretical and practical skills needed to work with children from birth to 2 years. Courses fulfill Title 22 licensing requirements and Title 5 early childhood education course requirements for the Child Development Permit at the teacher level. View program detail in course catalog.

Complete the Preschool Teacher Certificate of Achievement and the Associate in Science graduation requirements to earn an associate degree. This program prepares you for an entry-level position as a professional preschool teacher. Courses emphasize strong theoretical and practical skills needed to work with children 2-5 years. Courses fulfill Title 22 licensing requirements and Title 5 early childhood education course requirements for the Child Development Permit at the teacher level. View program detail in course catalog.

Complete the Early Childhood Administration Certificate of Achievement and the Associate in Science graduation requirements to earn an associate degree. This program builds on your Early Childhood certificate and prepares you to become a child care director or administrator at an early childhood center. View program detail in course catalog.

Earn an Associate in Arts in Elementary Teacher Education for Transfer Degree to be well-positioned to complete a bachelor’s degree in a similar major within the California State University system. Students who complete the Elementary Teacher Education AA-T degree are guaranteed admission to the CSU system, but not to a particular campus or major. View program detail in course catalog.

Earn an Associate in Science in Early Childhood Education for Transfer Degree to be well-positioned to complete a bachelor’s degree in a similar major within the California State University system. Students who complete the Early Childhood Education AS-T degree are guaranteed admission to the CSU system, but not to a particular campus or major. View program detail in course catalog.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

To enroll in a Career Advantage program, you must first apply for admission to Orange Coast College. To apply, go to the Admissions Application Information webpage and review the information and requirements for admission. A link at the bottom of that page will take you to the CCCApply website, where you will be prompted to create an account so you can begin the application process.

Classes cost $46 per unit for residents of California. Classes vary in their unit value, but an average 3-unit class costs $138. There are additional fees required to register and additional costs associated with each program. Click here to view the estimated total costs of the program in this career cluster.

View this chart for the length of the core program.

This program offers online courses. For details about offerings in this program, speak to a counselor or consult the class schedule. The class schedule tool searches through all Orange Coast College course offerings and includes a filter for online classes.

You can make an appointment in person, online or by phone.  Click here for more information about Counseling Services and how to make an appointment.

For general questions about enrollment, availability of classes and other services for prospective and current OCC students, call The Answer Center at 714-432-5772. For answers to specific questions you can speak to a counselor or to the faculty member listed on this program page.

Teacher points at a photo in a student’s textbook in class
Teacher reads a book to three toddlers sitting on the ground in front of her
Four preschool students run up stairs together on a playground

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