Early Childhood Education & Development  Program

The Early Childhood Education (ECED) Associates degree program is designed to give students a meaningful hands-on experience. Our ECED program weaves together theory and practice by having students participate in a Teacher Residency while taking college coursework. Students are mentored by an experienced teacher, in an early learning environment, a birth – 3rd grade classroom, where course objectives and learning come alive. Students have an opportunity to earn a living and college credits at the same time. The ECED program is inquiry-based; giving students an opportunity to think critically about their work with children and families, as they study. Students gain a solid understanding of early childhood education before transferring to a four-year university to complete their bachelor’s in early childhood education (licensure PreK-3rd Grade or non-licensure) or a related field in family child studies. Students have the option of receiving a stackable ECED Certificate (32 credit hours), and then working toward an Associate degree (61 credits). As part of this program, students will complete the Child Development Associate (CDA) credential preparation courses.

• Meet with their Mentor Teacher regularly to reflect on what they are learning in their coursework and the classroom
• Traditional coursework is interconnected to your Teacher Residency experience
• Many assignments are designed on your Teacher Residency life
• Courses are made accessible to meet your life needs

About the Program

UNM-Taos is a leader in the professional development of early childhood educators. Our students graduate with a solid foundation in early education and care because of coursework is directly applied within an early learning environment. Additionally, the ECED program is committed to the study of diversity, equity, and social justice within the context of working with children, families, and communities.

You will be prepared as an educator in the following fields:

• Private and public-school/program settings (birth to third grade)
• Child Care Provider
• Home visitor
• Family Infant Toddler programs (FIT)
• Infant Mental Health
• Early Intervention
• Program Development Specialist

Program Contact Information

For more information about our certificate and degree programs in early childhood please contact

Pam Remstein, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of ECED and Program Coordinator of Teacher Pathways  
remstein@unm.edu 
575.737.6266