Child Development - Associate in Arts

This program has been discontinued or temporarily suspended. Currently enrolled students may complete their program of study, but new students will not be admitted.

Program Info

Year Established
2000
Program Code
CHILD.AA
Degree Type
Associate in Arts
Office Contact
School of Health and Human Services: 313-845-9877, hhsinfo@hfcc.edu, Health Careers Education Ctr, Room: G-132
Faculty Contact
Carolyn Casale: 313-317-6580, ccasale@hfcc.edu, Health Careers Education Ctr, Room: G-133D

Program Description

Description

Designed for students seeking teacher certification with an early childhood endorsement, this program focuses on teaching young children, pre-school through grade 3. Most students continue their studies at the university level; however, upon completion of the program students are eligible for work in the various education and child care professions as para-professionals, assistant early childhood teachers, and as individual exceptional child assistants. Graduates wishing to pursue a bachelor's degree may transfer most, if not all, of the course work toward that degree.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, students should be able to:

  1. Apply current educational theories and practices to a classroom setting.
  2. Apply humanities concepts within the pre-kindergarten through middle school classroom.
  3. Apply knowledge of the physical, emotional, intellectual, and social development theories of the learner in a school setting.
  4. Apply knowledge of the exceptionalities, learning environments, and laws as they relate to special education programs.
  5. Develop lesson plans implementing educational software for grades P-8.
  6. Analyze elementary and middle school mathematics at the level necessary for teaching.
  7. Construct scientific knowledge using inquiry-based techniques.
  8. Follow appropriate health, physical education, nutrition, and safety practices for P-8 classrooms.
Career Opportunities
  • Pre-school lead teacher
  • Au Pair
  • Assistant child pre-school teacher
  • Assistant pre-school coordinator
  • Child development center support staff
  • In home and hospital educational assistant
  • Public school para-professional
  • Substitute teacher

Admission Requirements

Additional Program Requirements

Individuals working in child development centers must provide evidence of a current physical exam, current TB test, and Department of Social Services (FIA) clearance.

General Education

Category 4: Social Sciences
Complete any one, from the Michigan Transfer Agreement (MTA) list, from a different discipline (other than PSY).*
Category 6: Natural Sciences
Complete any one, lab-based course, from the Michigan Transfer Agreement (MTA) list,from a different discipline (other than SCI).*
Credit Hours
7.00

See General Education for Transfer Degrees for details.

Program Requirements

Note
  • *Computer Technology: Consult your advisor, counselor, or transfer institution, for transfer institution major/minor requirements.
  • *Humanities: Consult your advisor, counselor, or transfer institution, for transfer institution major/minor requirements.
  • *Education Support: Students electing to take POLS-131 instead of EDU-260 may complete any additional 100-level, or higher, credits to complete this degree instead of a Social Science course. Students who complete EDU-260 instead of POLS-131 must complete any one different discipline Social Science course.
  • *Natural Science: Consult your advisor, counselor, or transfer institution, for transfer institution major/minor requirements.
Required Support Courses
Course Name Credit Hours
ENG-131: Introduction to College Writing 3.00
ENG-132: College Writing and Research 3.00

Mathematics: Complete one course from the list below or any other higher level math course from the Michigan Transfer Agreement (MTA) list. See General Education Requirements for details.

4.00
PSY-131: Introductory Psychology 3.00
PSY-152: Child Psychology 3.00
Credit Hours: 16
Note
Minimum Total Credit Hours
64.00
Requirements are subject to change. The information represented here is effective starting Fall 2023 and applies to the current catalog year. If you were admitted prior to this year, please check your requirements under the My Progress section of HFC Self Service.