Program Description

Students who earn an associate's degee in early childhood education with a Birth-Kindergarten emphasis can earn a credential to be an assistant teacher in Head Start, Great Start Readiness Preschool or a paraprofessional in elementary school. In the state of Michigan, early childhood associate degree holders are qualified to open a child car business or hold a director position in a private childcare business. 

Students who earn an associate's degree in early childhood education with emphasis in BS or PK-3 may continue their education towards a bachelor's degree in the same grade band. 

Program Learning Outcomes

• Candidates demonstrate their content area knowledge in the design, implementation, and evaluation of experiences that result in developmental and learning outcomes for each child.
• Candidates apply their knowledge and understanding of young children’s developmental needs to create healthy, respectful, supportive, and challenging learning environments for each child.
• Candidates demonstrate knowledge of systematic observations, documentation, and assessment strategies through the effective use of these techniques to promote positive outcomes for each child.
• Candidates value the important and complex characteristics of children’s families in their development of respectful, reciprocal relationships and the involvement of families in their children’s development and learning.
• Candidates demonstrate professional dispositions throughout coursework, field experience, and practicums.
• Candidates integrate knowledge of ethical standards and other early childhood professional guidelines in advocating for sound educational practices and policies.

Degree Requirements

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
Departmental Requirements
A minimum grade of C is required in each course.
TEAC 101	Becoming a Teacher	2
TEAC 102	Apprenticeship I Expl Tch Lrn	1
TEAC 110	Infant/Toddlr Intentional Teac	2
or TEAC 231	Developing Literacy
TEAC 120	Impact Diversity on Education	4
TEAC 202	Apprenticeship II Guided S Tch	3
TEAC 210	Infant and Toddler Development	2
or TEAC 250	PK-3 Design Lesson Sci Learn
TEAC 211	Infant/Toddler w Special Needs	2
or TEAC 332	Engaging with Literacy
TEAC 215	Infant/Toddler Comm Developmnt	2
or TEAC 251	PK-3 Science Pedagogy
TEAC 220	Development	2
TEAC 221	Special Education/Partnerships	3
TEAC 230	Emerging Literacy	2
TEAC 240	PK-3 Math Attributes	2
TEAC 241	PK-3 Counting	2
TEAC 270	Admin Early Childhood Programs	2
or TEAC 333	Mastering Literacy
TEAC Electives:		1
Total Hours		32

General Education: All LSSU Associate’s degree candidates must complete the LSSU General Education Requirements.

A minimum of 62 credits (at the 100 level or higher) must be earned for graduation with a cumulative gpa of 2.00 or higher. A gpa of 2.00 or higher is also required in your Major, as well as in your General Education Requirements.