GRCC Program:
Associate of Applied Arts & Sciences
Contact: Child Development & Education Department (616) 234-3380
CD 118 , CD 119 , CD 210 , and CD 230
Note: Students enrolled in Child Development Lab classes (CD 118 , CD 119 , CD 210 , and CD 230 ) must undergo a Criminal Background Check and a Department of Human Services Central Registry Check. Being convicted of ANY FELONY, any of the listed offenses as defined by MCL 28.722 (Sex Offenders Registration Act; Act 295 of 1994), or being listed on the Michigan Child Abuse and Neglect Central Registry will result in refusal of lab placement and removal from the course. Complete policy information is provided on the GRCC Website.
CD 260
Note: Students enrolled in CD 260 are required to participate in tutoring through the Schools of Hope Program through Grand Rapids Public Schools and must undergo a Criminal Background Check and a Department of Human Services Central Registry Check. Being convicted of ANY FELONY, any of the listed offenses as defined by MCL 28.722 (Sex Offenders Registration Act; Act 295 of 1994), or being listed on the Michigan Child Abuse and Neglect Central Registry will result in refusal of tutoring placement and removal from the course. Complete policy information is provided on the GRCC Website.
Students may take the classes listed below to meet the formal training hours required for the Child Development Associate (CDA) credential. Eligibility for the CDA credential can be acquired by successfully completing a program of training, experience and assessment based on competencies defined by the Council for Early Childhood Professional Recognition. It is important to realize that only the Council for Early Childhood Professional Recognition can grant a CDA credential. Students must make their own arrangements for assessment through the Council when they have completed the requirements. This credential is designed for professionals already working in the field and requires completion of at least 480 hours of experience working with young children within the last five years. The following courses at GRCC meet the formal training hours requirement:
This program is designed to prepare students to work as paraprofessionals in K-8 classrooms and K-12 Special Needs classrooms. It is designed to satisfy federal requirements for Title I programs. Courses are designed to build knowledge and skills related to human growth and development, the field of teaching, characteristics of learners, special education, instructional content and practice, the teaching and learning environment, behavior management, communication, diversity of families, health, safety and emergency procedures, and professionalism and ethical standards. The majority of courses will also transfer into elementary teacher certification programs at four-year universities. Students should work closely with their advisor throughout the program to ensure transferability. Students working in Pre-K programs can either complete the Child Development program (Code 120) or follow this program.
Students wishing to complete MACRAO should be sure to meet the communications, humanities, social science and natural sciences requirements.
CD 118 counts toward the MACRAO social science requirement for students in the Paraprofessional Education (420) program.
The following scheme is presented as a guide only. Courses may be taken in any order as long as all requirements (including prerequisites) are met:
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