Western New Mexico University offers two programs in the field of Early Childhood Education and Family Support: Associate of Arts in Early Childhood Education and Family Support, and the Vocational Certificate in Early Childhood Education and Family Support.

Requirements for admission in the Early Childhood Education and Family Support Program beginning with the program which started in August 2010 are:

1. Prior to entering the Early Childhood Education program a student will complete an application to the Early Childhood Program.
2. For the Early Childhood Education and Family Support Associate Degree the candidate must complete the following exit requirements:
   • obtain a passing score on the NES Essential Academic Skills Assessment (e parts)
   • a minimum of 2.0 G.P.A.

The Associate of Arts Degree in Early Childhood Education and Family Support is designed to equip the student with knowledge and skills necessary to fulfill the needs of a variety of state and community programs including but not limited to:

• Public school classroom assistants
• Child care educators
• School age child care staff
• Family home visitors
• Early interventionists
• Infant Mental Health professionals
• Social workers
• Health professionals
• Child and Adult Care Food Program representatives
• Foster Care Parents and others interested in parenting issues

This inclusive degree is designed to achieve competence in the areas defined by the New Mexico Office of Child Development. WNMU has participated with other New Mexico colleges and universities to develop a transfer module and common core competencies to facilitate the transfer of credit from one institution to another.

The Associate of Arts Degree in Early Childhood Education helps the student begin to attain credit and experience that will lead to New Mexico Early Childhood Licensure. However, the New Mexico License requires that courses be completed at both the associate degree and bachelor degree levels.

Individuals seeking the WNMU Vocational Certificate, which is a state recognized certificate, may graduate by completing the same core courses required for the Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education and Family Support plus 3 additional credits in either BCIS 1110  - Fundamentals of Information Literacy and Systems.