Program Description

The associate of arts degree in early childhood multicultural education (AAECME) provides students with the knowledge and skills they need to work with children, birth through age eight, and their families in a variety of settings including child care centers, Head Start programs, family child care settings, preschools, and in public schools as early childhood teaching assistants.

This degree, plus experience, meets the qualification requirement for director of a child care center as specified in the New Mexico child care facilities licensing regulations.

Career and Educational Advancement Opportunities

The early childhood multicultural education certificate (ECMEC) provides students with the knowledge and skills required to work with children, birth through age eight, and their families in a variety of settings including child care centers, Head Start programs, family child care settings, preschools, and in public schools as early childhood teaching assistants.

All coursework for this certificate can be applied toward the AAECME degree. Students must earn a grade of “C” or better in all preadmission course work.

Program Requirements

Total credit hours required: 36 (12 hours of general education courses and 24 hours of program-specific courses).

Contact and Advising Information

Information about the ECMEC program is available from:

Advisement & Counseling (505) 925-8560 vcadvise@unm.edu ,

The program’s lead faculty, Linda Lawrence, (505) 925-8610 linla@unm.edu,

Chair of the Education Department, Jon Conescu, (505) 925-8614 jconescu@unm.edu, or

Dean of instruction, Reinaldo A. Z. García, (505) 925- 8601 rgarcia@unm.edu.