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The SFCC Early childhood education program offers several options:

• Eight 20-27 credits Certificates of Specialization have been designed as add-ons or stand-alone certificates addressing the many areas of specialization in the field of early childhood education.
• A one-year certificate of completion satisfies state requirements for program supervisors, child care center directors, or family in-home providers.
• A two-year Associate of Arts (A.A.) degree is transferable to four-year universities, ideal for students interested in becoming elementary school teachers.
• A two-year professional technical degree called the Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree prepares students for immediate employment.
• A two-year transfer degree called the Associate in Applied Science Transfer (AAS-T) degree prepares students for transfer to a four-year institution.
• WSU Articulation
• EWU Articulation
• What is the difference between AAS-T and AAS Certificates?
• Do my college classes count towards my STARS training? Yes!

Students in these courses are exposed to rigorous curriculum that includes work with children, as well as classroom discussion and theory. Students can complete their field hours with children in the SFCC Early Learning Center, a Head Start and Early Head Start or in a variety of childcare programs setting in private child care centers ECEAP before/after school care, as well as students own place of employment.

Public elementary schools expose them to different program structures and teaching styles. This broad exposure to a variety of settings with children, under direct supervision of a master teacher, is one of the program’s strengths.