Academic Programs
Early Childhood Education Transfer Pathway, A.S.
|
Locations: Granite Falls, Worthington, and Online |
Links to: Printer friendly version Articulation agreements Faculty/Program webpage |
Minnesota West's Early Childhood Education program prepares students for meaningful and rewarding careers working with children birth through age 8. The Early Childhood Education Transfer Pathway (AS) offers students a powerful option: the opportunity to complete an Associates of Science degree with course credits that directly transfer to designated Early Childhood Education bachelor's programs at Minnesota State universities. The curriculum has been specifically designed so that students completing this pathway degree and transferring to one of the seven Minnesota State universities enter the university with a junior-year status. All courses in the Transfer Pathway associate degree will directly transfer and apply to the designated bachelor's degree programs in a related field.
**DHS Background Study is required for program/courses with field experiences.
Program Learning Outcomes:
Define basics of child development and learning.
Create environments for children that are healthy, respectful, supportive, and appropriate for each child.
Articulate characteristics of family and community relationships that support children's development and learning.
Observe, document, and assess to provide learning environments for children.
Use developmentally-appropriate approaches, strategies, and tools to positively impact each child's development and learning.
Build appropriate and meaningful curriculum to promote comprehensive development.
Demonstrate reflective practice and integrate knowledge and cooperative feedback.
Engage in field experiences to develop knowledge, skills, and professional dispositions to promote development and learning in multiple settings and with various age groups.
Sample Two-Year Schedule
Below is an example course schedule for this degree. Students should meet with their program advisor regarding MnTC and elective courses.
| COURSE # | COURSE TITLE | CREDITS |
|
|
Fall - Year 1 | |
| Introduction to Early Childhood Education | 3 | |
| Child Growth and Development | 3 | |
| Health, Wellness, and Nutrition | 3 | |
| ENGL 1101 | Composition I | 3 |
|
|
MnTC Elective Credits | 3 |
| Credits for Fall | 15 | |
| Spring - Year 1 | ||
| Behavior Guidance | 3 | |
| Creative Activities and Environment | 3 | |
| ENGL 1102 | Composition II | 3 |
| CMST 1101 | Public Speaking | 3 |
| MnTC Elective Credits | 3 | |
| Credits for Spring |
15 | |
| Fall - Year 2 | ||
| Diverse Children & Family Relations | 3 | |
| EDUC 2560 | Introduction to Language & Literacy | 3 |
| Introduction to Special Education | 3 | |
| MATH 1109 | Math Skills for Elementary Education | 3 |
| MnTC Elective Credits | 3 | |
| Credits for Fall | 15 | |
| Spring - Year 2 | ||
| Observation & Assessment | 3 | |
| EDUC 1560 | Practicum/Internship | 3 |
| MnTC Elective Credits | 9 | |
| Credits for Spring |
15 | |
| TOTAL CREDITS | 60 |
Notes:
Suggested program electives include EDUC 1340: Planning and Implementing, EDUC 2300: Childhood Poverty: Exploring the Issues, EDUC 2200: Infant and Toddler Development and Learning Experiences
Suggested General Education Electives: NSCI 1100 Issues in the Environment, ART 1120 Art Appreciation, MUSC 1105 Music Appreciation, HIST 1111 Early Western Civilization , ART 2240 Art History, GEOG 1100 Introduction to Geography, BIOL 1110 Principles of Biology, and ENGL 2120 Children's Literature.Updated: pp 9/21//2023