Early Childhood Education, Associate
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
| 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 | 3 |
| TEAC 120 | Impact Diversity on Education | 4 |
| TEAC 210 | Infant and Toddler Development | 3 |
| TEAC 215 | Infant/Toddler Comm Developmnt | 3 |
| TEAC 220 | Development | 3 |
| TEAC 221 | Special Education/Partnerships | 3 |
| TEAC 230 | Emerging Literacy | 3 |
| TEAC 240 | PK-3 Math Attributes | 3 |
| TEAC 241 | PK-3 Counting | 3 |
| TEAC 270 | Admin Early Childhood Programs | 2 |
| Electives | ||
| 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.