Preschool Education

This award is not eligible for Financial Aid

The Certificate of Completion (CCL) in Preschool Education program prepares students in the basic skills and knowledge needed to meet industry standards for entry level positions in the field of early childhood education. Students will learn about the development and education of preschool children, the policies and procedures for high quality preschool programs, and the professional roles and responsibilities of early childhood professionals. An Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Early Childhood Education is available.

This is a Fast Track Certificate, which can be completed in two semesters or less.

Details

Field of Interest
Education
Academic Plan Code
5353N
Total credits required
9
Catalog Year
2025 - 2026
What You'll Learn
  1. Examine the developmental stages and growth patterns of preschool aged children.
  2. Explain the developmentally appropriate practices for learning environments and curriculum content for preschool settings.
  3. Summarize the importance of child observation and assessment in preschool settings.
  4. Describe the impact of health, safety, and nutrition with preschool aged children.
  5. Discuss the areas of program management and considerations for preschool programs.
  6. Identify various methods and tools for effective communication with children and families.
  7. Explain the benefits of family and community partnerships at it relates to preschool settings.
  8. Recognize professional behaviors, attitudes, and interactions in the Early Childhood Education field.
Career Statistics

Successful completion of this certificate may lead to employment in a variety of different occupations and industries. Below are examples of related occupations with associated Arizona-based wages* for this certificate. Education requirements vary for the occupations listed below, so you may need further education or degrees in order to qualify for some of these jobs and earn the related salaries. Please visit with an academic advisor and/or program director for additional information. You can click on any occupation to view the detail regarding education level, wages, and employment information.

Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education
$32,930
Teaching Assistants, Preschool, Elementary, Middle, and Secondary School, Except Special Education
$34,550

There are additional career opportunities associated with this certificate that do not have occupational data available for Arizona at this time. These occupations are listed below:

  • Teaching Assistants, All Other
  • Teaching Assistants, Special Education

* Career and wage information provided by Pipeline AZ using data, reports, and forecasts which are generated using government data sources. Sources

Course Sequence by Term

The following is the suggested course sequence by term. Please keep in mind:

  • Students should meet with an academic advisor to develop an individual education plan that meets their academic and career goals. Use the Degree Progress Report Tool in your Student Center to manage your plan.
  • The course sequence is laid out by suggested term and may be affected when students enter the program at different times of the year.
  • Initial course placement is determined by current district placement measures and/or completion of 100-200 level course and/or program requirements.
  • Degree and transfer seeking students may be required to successfully complete a MCCCD First Year Experience Course (FYE) within the first two semesters at a MCCCD College. Courses include FYE101 and FYE103. Course offerings will vary by college. See an academic, program, or faculty advisor for details.

Full-time Sequence

Full-time status is 12 credits to 18 credits per semester.

Term 1

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 1
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Credits
FCS110 Influences on Young Children's Development 3
FCS120 Developmentally Appropriate Environments for Young Children 3
FCS130 Supporting Young Children and Their Families 3
Official Curriculum Documentation
View catalog page
Catalog page: https://gccaz.catalog.maricopa.edu/programs/5353N-GCC02
Disclaimer

This program is not eligible for Title IV Federal Financial Aid.

Students must earn a grade of C or better in all courses in the program.

All information published is subject to change without notice. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information presented, but based on the dynamic nature of the curricular process, course and program information is subject to change in order to reflect the most current information available.