Associate of Science - Early Childhood Intervention Assistant

The Early Intervention Assistant program will prepare students for career placements in public and/or private early intervention and educational settings that serve typically and atypically developing young children. Specific jobs and responsibilities may include serving as an early childhood educator with a specialization in working with children with exceptionalities, special education assistant for children birth to eight years of age, a one-to-one aide for a child (e.g., “inclusion facilitator”), classroom aide with expertise in special needs, or as an assistant on the early intervention team serving infants birth to three years of age.

Early Childhood Education professionals adhere to the guidelines as well as the Professional Code of Ethics of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) providing developmentally appropriate learning opportunities for the enhancement of the physical, intellectual, social, emotional and creative domains of young children. Upon completion of the program, students will demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and dispositions to work with young children with special needs and with those who may be at risk for developmental delays and disabilities, and with their families. The degree and certificate programs are appropriate for students working as assistants or paraprofessionals in early intervention or early childhood special education. The degree program is also appropriate for students working as early childhood teachers in an inclusive early childhood program licensed by the California Department of Social Services (Title 22). The degree is designed to meet the requirements for the California Child Development Teacher permit, while the certificate is designed to meet two of the three requirements needed to qualify for the California Child Development Teacher permit.