Education Pathway

The Education Pathway is designed for students interested in becoming an Early Childhood Caregiver, Early Childhood Educator, Preschool Teacher, Special Education Teacher, or an Elementary School Teacher.
Programs
Key
- AA-TAssociate in Arts for Transfer
- AS-TAssociate in Science for Transfer
- AAAssociate of Arts
- ASAssociate of Science
- BSBachelor of Science
- COACertificate of Achievement
- COCPCertificate of Competency
- COCMCertificate of Completion
- JSCJob Skills Certificate
About this Pathway
The Education Pathway is designed for students interested in becoming an Early Childhood Caregiver, Early Childhood Educator, Preschool Teacher, Special Education Teacher, or an Elementary School Teacher. Many students can benefit from the growth this pathway can accommodate through earning a Job Skills Certificate (JSC), a Certificate of Achievement (COA), and then a Transfer degree (AS-T or AA-T).
Completion Coaching
We have a community of specialists in the Education Learning and Career Pathway ready to help you with your specific needs to complete your goals. There are faculty, counselors, and staff that understand your program and goals for specialized support in your program academics, counseling, and in the writing center.
Career Outlook
The Bakersfield College Program Map is a great resource to find Program Learning Outcomes and detailed career outlook statistics for each of the programs of study associated with this Learning and Career Pathway. For more information about career outlooks in any field, visit the US Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Steps for Success
Momentum Points
If you are pursuing one of the degrees in this pathway, you will want to enroll in 15 units each semester to graduate in approximately two years. This would require 30 units in your first year. Some of those units you earn in your first year should be in Math, English, and your major! Not only will earning 9 units in your major your first year keep you on track to your degree, it may also help you earn a certificate on the way!
Transfer Information
Students interested in pursuing a career in elementary, high school, or special education are required to obtain a BA or BS and a Teaching Credential pertinent to their field of study. This can take an additional three years beyond the AS-T in Early Childhood Education or AA-T in Elementary Teacher Education. Also, students interested in pursuing a lead teacher position within a California State “5-Star” facility or a Federally-funded program, such as Head Start, are required to obtain a BA or BS degree in Early Childhood Education or similar field of study. Students are encouraged to discuss their career plans with an Advisor or Counselor at Bakersfield College to create a Comprehensive Student Education Plan (CSEP) that will provide the best guidance with respect to the preferred field of study and transfer opportunities.
Resources
If you are ready for a job in education, you can apply through EDJoin. If you have completed a Job Skills Certificate or Certificate of Achievement in Child Development, you can apply for a California Child Development Teacher Permit at the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. Stipends for also available for the Child Development Permit. For more information, visit the Child Development Training Consortium.
Not sure where to start? Let us help.
Meet with a Counselor
Call (661) 395-4421.
Not sure about your career path?
