Program Description

An associate degree in early childhood education provides a student with a credential to be a 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 care business or hold a director position in a private childcare business.  Most students earn an associate degree in two years.  Many students continue on to earn a four year bachelor degree with a teaching certificate in grade bands birth to kindergarten or preschool to third grade.  This degree allows the student to use the associate degree credits toward a bachelor degree.

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 110	Infant/Toddlr Intentional Teac	2
TEAC 120	Impact Diversity on Education	4
TEAC 210	Infant and Toddler Development	2
TEAC 215	Infant/Toddler Comm Developmnt	2
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
Electives
Total Hours		25

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.