Child Development - AAA

Print Degree Planner (opens a new window) |

Program Code: AAA.25762

Child development teachers work in a variety of settings providing care and guidance of young children. This includes concern for the mental, social, physical, and emotional growth and development of the child. As a child development teacher, you should be able to work under supervision and work cooperatively with other personnel. Each employee should gain the respect, confidence, and cooperation of children, maintain discipline, and enforce as well as deal with emergency situations calmly. Physically, you must maintain good health and be able to stoop, kneel, crouch, and crawl. Good vision and hearing are necessary as well as being able to lift up to 40 pounds. Applicants for child development positions are to be free of communicable diseases including a negative TB test. A DHS clearance for child abuse/neglect is required, as is a criminal background check.

Students learn supportive skills needed for positions as assistant teachers or teachers in early childhood education and care programs. The Associate in Applied Arts degree program will also stress leadership skills that are needed in a director position. Graduates of this degree program will also be qualified to apply for positions as lead teachers and center directors as well as apply for a license for their own child care business.

The curriculum for this program is aligned with the standards issued by the National Association for the Education of Young Children

Fall First Year:

CD 111W - Introduction to Early Childhood Education Credits: 3
CD 112W - Learning Center Activities Credits: 3
CD 113W - Child Guidance Strategies Credits: 4
ENG 111 - College Composition I Credits: 3
ENG 111A , ENG 111B , ENG 111C , or ENG 111H can be taken in place of ENG 111
ELE — Elective Natural Science Course Credits: 4
Natural Science Elective including one lab course - see note J below

Total Semester Credits: 17

Winter First Year:

CD 110W - Infant/Toddler Development Credits: 4
CD 115W - Introductory Preschool Practicum Credits: 3
CD 116W - Diversity and Families in Early Childhood Education Credits: 3
ED 201W - Education of the Exceptional Child Credits: 3

Total Semester Credits: 13

Spring First Year:

ENG 112 - College Composition II Credits: 3
ENG 112A , ENG 112H , or ENG 113 can be taken in place of ENG 112
ELE — Elective Humanities Course Credits: 4
Suggested Humanities Electives: COM 114W - Interpersonal Communication and one chosen from ENG 250W , or ENG 253 . See note I below

Total Semester Credits: 7

Fall Second Year:

CD 117W - Student Teaching Practicum Credits: 6
LWT 165 - HeartSaver First Aid with CPR Credits: 1
POL 103W - American Politics Credits: 3
POL 105W , POL 212W , POL 215W , POL 220W , POL 221W , POL 223W , POL 225W , POL 228W , HIS 221W , HIS 222W , or HIS 237W can be taken in place of POL 103W
PSY 211W - Introduction to Psychology Credits: 4

Total Semester Credits: 14

Winter Second Year:

CD 210W - Child Care Program Management Credits: 3
ELE — Elective Humanities Course Credits: 4
Suggested Humanities Electives: COM 114W - Interpersonal Communication and one chosen from ENG 250W , or ENG 253 . See note I below
LW 221W - Fitness and Wellness Credits: 2
Any 1 credit LW and LWA or 2 credit LW may be taken in place of LW 221W
ELE — Natural Science Course Credits: 4
Natural Science Elective including one lab course - see note J below
PSY 223W - Child Psychology Credits: 3

Total Semester Credits: 16

Total Credits: 67

Notations

CD 110W , CD 111W , CD 113W , CD 115W are Key courses and must be completed within 5 year of completing degree. Failure to complete within the stated time frame will require you to repeat this course. See Graduation Requirements .
A grade of “C” (2.0) or higher is required in CD 110W , CD 111W , CD 112W , CD 113W , CD 115W , CD 116W , CD 117W , CD 210W , ED 201W , LWT 165 , PSY 211W , and PSY 223W .
CD 111W and CD 115W may be articulated if the student has earned a CDA credential (Center-based Preschool and Family Child Care CDAs), an elementary education degree or a high school career-technical certificate. CD 110W and CD 111W may be articulated if the student has earned a Centerbased Infant Toddler CDA credential. Articulated credits will not count towards DHS requirements for a director using a CDA certificate. The 18 required credits for a child care director must be regular classes with a grade for credit.
A Child Development information session is held in December, April and August. CD 110W , CD 113W , CD 115W , and CD 117W students must attend one of these sessions. Be sure you notify the Counseling Office to state your major as CD.
All CD 110W , CD 113W , CD 115W , and CD 117W students must complete the following and submit the appropriate documentation to the program coordinator: 1) TB Skin Test. You must submit evidence of freedom from communicable tuberculosi; 2) Criminal background check; 3) DHS Child Abuse/Neglect clearance check; 4) Employment and volunteer contract (practicum agreement).
CD 110W and CD 113W each require 30 hours of volunteer work at a licensed childcare program. CD 115W requires 90 hours and CD 117W requires 150 hours of teaching in a licensed program other than your current employment site. CD 115W and CD 117W must be unpaid and outside of your work schedule. More information will be given at the information sessions.
Current First Aid and CPR certification (LWT 165 ) is required to enroll in CD 210W .
CD 210W - Child Care Program Management must be taken after all other Child Development courses have been completed.
Humanities Electives are required in two different subject areas. Suggested Humanities Electives: COM 114W - Interpersonal Communication and one chosen from ENG 250W , or ENG 253 .
Natural Science electives credit in two different areas would be particularly useful for transferring to a 4-year school and is required in the fulfillment of the Michigan Transfer Agreement (MTA). If you are planning on transferring you may also wish to take a Math course (MTH 118W or higher, excluding MTH 119W and MTH 153 ). For questions or more information, please see the Counseling and Advising office. Check with your transfer institution for optimum choices.