The Associate of Applied Science in Childhood Education and Family Studies prepares students to work in a variety of educational and child care settings, including preschool, day care, private kindergarten and as a para-professional in the public schools. This degree offers students the opportunity to gain enhanced practical experience through practicum and student teaching courses. This degree program is closely aligned with Southern Oregon University’s Early Childhood Development program.  Students who transfer to Southern Oregon University, and are accepted into the program, should be able to complete requirements for the baccalaureate degree in Early Childhood Development with two additional years of course work.   This degree is also offered as a distance learning degree through Southwestern Oregon Community College and is articulated with the distance education department at Portland State University leading to a Bachelors of Social Science with an Early Childhood certificate; with careful course work choices, all lower division requirements will be met at transfer.