Educational Studies

The certificate serves as a career ladder approach to a credential or permit or as a stand-alone entity to document that a student has taken coursework related to subject matter proficiency and has acquired skills for successful employment as a teacher's aide, after-school program assistant, tutoring or other paraprofessional level classroom career.

The Early Childhood Education Certificate provides a 16-unit pathway toward careers working with young children. Build the knowledge and skills needed for entry-level positions such as teacher’s aide, after-school program assistant, tutor, and other paraprofessional roles while completing coursework that can support continued progress toward ECE permits and credentials.

Child and Adolescent Development Associate in Arts for Transfer (AA-T)

The Child and Adolescent Development AA-T prepares students for transfer to the California State University (CSU) system and for careers working with children, adolescents, and families. The degree provides lower-division preparation for programs such as Child and Adolescent Development, Human Development, Liberal Studies, and related pathways leading to careers in education, special education, youth development, and family services.

Designed with flexibility in mind, Coastline's online courses make this degree accessible to students balancing work, family, distance, and other responsibilities. Students may use the degree as preparation for paraprofessional employment or as a pathway toward a bachelor's degree and future teaching career.

Students completing the AA-T meet established CSU transfer degree requirements and receive priority consideration for admission to an appropriate CSU program, subject to CSU admission policies. Students should work with a Coastline counselor to develop an educational plan and select courses that best support their career and transfer goals.

Interested in preschool teaching? The Child and Adolescent Development AA-T is different from the Early Childhood Education AS-T, which is specifically designed for students pursuing early childhood education and Child Development Permit pathways.

The Associate in Arts in Elementary Teacher Education for Transfer degree (AA-T) is designed for prospective California State University (CSU) transfer students who are preparing for careers as Elementary School Teachers.

To qualify for the Associate in Arts in Elementary Teacher Education for Transfer a student must complete the following requirements:

1. Minimum of 60 CSU-transferable semester units.
2. Minimum grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.0 in all CSU-transferable coursework. While a minimum G.P.A. of 2.0 is required for admission, some majors may require a higher G.P.A. Please consult with a counselor for more information.
3. Certified completion of the California State University General Education-Breadth pattern (Option 2); OR the Cal State version of the Intersegment General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC – Option 3).
4. Completion of all the courses in the major as detailed below. Courses for the major must be completed with a grade of C or better or a “P” if the course is taken on a “pass-no pass” basis.

Note: Four-Year institutions do not recommend students take major prep courses for Pass/No Pass.