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Arapahoe Community College

About

Arapahoe Community College (ACC) is the first two-year college in the greater Denver area, with about 17,000 students annually. With campuses in Littleton and Castle Rock, ACC strives to serve their community and workforce needs. ACC does this through five strategic directions: student success, technology leadership, inclusive culture, collaborative partnerships, and organizational sustainability.

Institution Links

Programs

Community College Pathways

Early Childhood Teacher Education Transfer Major, AA

24 months
Program Duration
Hybrid
Program Format
Pre-Test Required
No

Relevant Links

Program

Program Info

Early Childhood Education is a rich and rewarding career that demands well-prepared professionals. ACC and the Early Childhood Education Department faculty will provide you with a wide variety of academic pathways, and a strong foundation that meets your career goals in early care and education as well as other related fields. All programs are designed to help you master the proficiencies you need to become an effective Early Childhood Teacher in Colorado. All of their degree programs include observations and hours in the classroom to provide you with a wide range of hands-on experiences with different ages and programs. The courses will prepare you for wherever your educational journey takes you.

ACC believes Early Childhood Education is a rich and rewarding career that demands well-prepared professionals. Their programs prioritize educating teachers and providers to better support children to develop their skills emotionally, physically, and mentally. ACC prepares students who are passionate about working with young children and their families to be successful in the Early Childhood Education field. ACC ensures students leave this two-year program with the skills and ability to observe, document, and assess the development of young children, develop an action plan that will improve social and emotional outcomes for children, create an Integrated Curricular Plan, create a learning environment that will foster a child’s development through age-appropriate and engaging activities, build family and community relationships, and become a professional and advocate for our field!

Upcoming Deadlines

Deadlines
Program Start

Rolling Deadline
Fall

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Ways to Lower Your Costs

Students at Arapahoe Community College have reduced the cost of their program using these methods. Check with Arapahoe Community College to see if you can, too!

Amount

Description

Grants, Stipends, Scholarships

ACC has several scholarship opportunities available to students who meet eligibility criteria. ACC provides nearly $1 million in scholarships to their students each year. All ACC scholarships can be applied to tuition, fees, and books and are applied for the whole year.

The T.E.A.C.H Scholarship is available for Early Childhood professionals working in licensed settings and pursuing higher education. This scholarship covers up to 90% of tuition, along with a supplies allowance, paid study time, and bonus incentives for completing classes successfully.

The College Opportunity Fund (COF) is used by the state of Colorado to pay a portion of the total cost of undergraduate degrees for Colorado residents attending Colorado public institutions. For the 2022-2023 school year, the COF stipend is $104 per credit hour. COF is not considered financial aid. Students eligible for in-state tuition can receive the stipend every term that they take eligible undergraduate courses, and have not met the 145 credit hour life time limit.

Colorado Merit Aid
The state of Colorado allocates funding for students who have achieved high academic success. Students must be enrolled in 6 or more credit hours and be a Colorado resident. Please check with the Financial Aid Office on current requirements.

Colorado Student Grant (CSG)
The Colorado Student Grant program is designed to assist students with financial need with their educational expenses. You must be a resident of the State of Colorado and must demonstrate documented financial need. The maximum award for the 2022-2023 academic year is $3,500 for full-time students. You must be making satisfactory academic progress. Funds are awarded to early applicants who meet the financial aid deadline of May 1st. All other applicants are awarded until the funding is exhausted.

Student Loans, Payroll Deduction

ACC participates in Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Federal Direct Subsidized Stafford Loans, and Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loans.

Work Study, Working While Still Enrolled

Work study opportunities are offered to students on a first come, first served basis and compensation is determined by financial aid funding. If students do not qualify for financial aid funding, work study is still available and compensation starts at $15.50 per hour.

For more information visit:Financial Aid Office

Program Overview

This program requires you to complete 60 credit hours of coursework to earn the degree.
Students typically break the coursework up over two years.

Degree requirements include:

6 credit hours of written communication
4 credit hours of mathematics
6 credit hours in arts and humanities
3 credit hours in history
6 social and behavioral science credit hours
8 natural and physical science credit hours
9 hours of elective courses
18 degree specific credit hours.

You will have multiple course options for all of the general education course requirements, but are required to take 6 degree-specific classes to earn your degree. Upon completion of the program, you will be able to observe, document, and assess the development of young children, develop an action plan that will improve social and emotional outcomes for children, create an Integrated Curricular Plan, create a learning environment that will foster a child’s development through age-appropriate and engaging activities, build family and community relationships, and become a professional and advocate for our field!

Early Childhood Certificates: Arapahoe Community College

Early Childhood Teacher Certificate: Leads daily learning, development, play, and care for children

Early Childhood Assistant Teacher/Entry Certificate: Assists a lead teacher to implement daily learning and care activities.

Early Childhood Director Certificate: Runs daily operations and programming for a preschool or early childhood program, including staff supervision, enrollment, curriculum development, and more.

Early Childhood Infant/Toddler Supervisor Certificate: Cares for and teaches infants and toddlers.

Get Started

Own the application process. Meet with a career advisor today to make a plan for how you will apply.

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