Dec 10, 2024  
2018-2019 Catalog 
    
2018-2019 Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Pre-Early Childhood Education, A.A. (3 + 1, Ferris State University)


Academic Program Code: 616

This academic program lays the foundation for students to transfer seamlessly to Ferris State University to obtain an Early Childhood Education, Bachelor of Science degree. The Early Childhood Education B.S. degree does not prepare students to become certified teachers; however, graduates find positions in Head Start programs, Great Start Readiness Programs, day care centers, family day care homes, elementary schools, hospitals, recreation centers or other child related businesses. By declaring this Articulated Pre-Major program, students are on track to graduate with both an Associate of Applied Arts and Sciences degree and an Associate of Arts degree from GRCC, as well as a bachelor’s degree from Ferris State University within four years (if enrolled in classes full-time).

Program Admissions Requirements:

In order to be eligible for admission into the Pre-Early Childhood Education program, students must have completed the Child Development, Associate of Applied Arts and Sciences degree. Contact the GRCC Education Department for additional information regarding admission to this program.

General Education Courses


Select a minimum of 30 credit hours of course work from the General Education course list.  Course work must be selected as directed in the areas below.

English Composition and Communications


Humanities


Select two (2) Humanities General Education Electives from two (2) different subject areas. Only one (1) Foreign Language course can be used for the Humanities requirement. You should select courses in alignment with Ferris State University “Culture” General Education courses.

Social Sciences


Select two (2) Social Sciences General Education Electives from two (2) different subject areas. You should select courses in alignment with Ferris State University “Self and Society” General Education courses. If you are pursuing the “Child Life Specialist Track,” select either PY 201 or SO 251.

Natural Sciences and Mathematics


Natural Sciences


Select two (2) Natural Sciences General Education courses from two (2) different subject areas; one (1) must be lab. You should select courses in alignment with Ferris “Natural Sciences” General Education courses.

General Education Total Credit Hours


30 (minimum)

Program Courses


When selecting the Social Sciences General Education Elective below, select a course in alignment with the Ferris State “Self and Society” General Education courses.

Program Tracks


Complete one (1) Program Track below.

Early Childhood Management Track


Early Childhood Leadership Track


Child Life Specialist Track


Select [(SO 251 and SO 270) OR PY 201] and take the remaining Psychology requirement at Ferris.

Total Credit Hours


77 (minimum)

Program Notes


Students enrolled in Child Development Lab classes (CD 118, CD 209, CD 210, CD 229, and CD 230) as well as CD 260 (required tutoring) 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.

Transfer Notes


It is recommended that students meet with an advisor to review the requirements for this articulated program, and have any questions about transfer answered prior to completing this degree program at GRCC. Ferris State University will accept the Pre-Early Childhood Education, A.A. (3 + 1, Ferris State University) degree toward the completion of the Early Childhood Education, B.S. degree at Ferris. The remaining courses to fulfill the requirements of the Early Childhood Education, B.S. degree at Ferris State are outlined in the program agreement. 

Essential Abilities/Technical Standards


The Grand Rapids Community College Child Development & Education faculty has specified essential abilities and technical standards critical to the success of students in GRCC’s Child Development & Education program. Students must demonstrate these essential abilities to succeed in their program of study. Qualified applicants are expected to meet all admission criteria and matriculating students are expected to meet all progression criteria, as well as these essential abilities and technical standards with or without reasonable accommodations.

1.      Essential judgment skills to include:  Ability to identify, assess, and comprehend child care, child safety, and classroom teaching situations for the purpose of problem solving with regard to child care, child safety and teaching in a classroom and coming to appropriate conclusions and/or course of actions. These skills include:  maintaining confidentiality, problem solving, reasoning and completing Child Abuse and Neglect Mandated Reporter Training.

2.      Essential physical/neurological functions to include:  Ability to use the senses of seeing, hearing, touch, and smell to make correct judgments regarding the health, safety, and learning by young children and their families and meet physical expectations to perform required interventions for the purpose of demonstrating competence to safely engage in the practice of early childhood care and education.

Behaviors that demonstrate essential neurological and physical functions include, but are not limited to:  observation, listening, understanding relationships, writing, and psychomotor abilities consistent with course and program expectations.

Other physical demands include: consistent attendance, bending at the waist, crouching, kneeling, cleaning, balancing, lifting and carrying up to 50 pounds, reaching, twisting, sitting, standing, talking, hearing, handling, fingering, mobility and seeing.

3.      Essential communication skills to include:  Ability to communicate effectively with fellow students, faculty, parents, children, and all members of the early childhood care and education field. Skills include verbal, written, and nonverbal abilities as well as information technology skills consistent with effective communication.

4.      Essential emotional coping skills:  Ability to demonstrate the mental health necessary to safely engage in the practice of early childhood care and education as determined by NAEYC standards of practice. Ability to handle multiple concurrent tasks with constant interruptions.

5.      Essential intellectual/conceptual skills to include:  Ability to measure, calculate, analyze, synthesize, and evaluate to engage competently in the safe practice of early childhood care and education.

6.      Other essential behavioral attributes:  Ability to engage in activities consistent with safe early childhood care and education practice without demonstrated behaviors of addiction to, abuse of, or dependence on alcohol or other drugs that may impair behavior or judgment.

Ability to demonstrate responsibility and accountability for actions as a student in the Child Development and Education programs and as a developing professional in the early childhood care and education field consistent with accepted standards of practice.

Grand Rapids Community College strives to be more than ADA compliant. We strive to be accessible and welcoming to all students of all abilities. After reviewing the Essential Abilities/Technical Standards for this program; your responsibilities as a student entail determining if you can complete all associated coursework either:

A.     With Accommodation. I am otherwise qualified to meet the same academic standards as any other student entering the program. However, based on a medically documented condition or diagnosis, I would qualify for reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (1990). I will meet with Disability Support Services on campus to arrange those accommodations in an interactive process with the department of Child Development and Education.

B.     Without Accommodation. I am able to complete the program without need for reasonable accommodation or modification. In the event my medical documentation reveals otherwise or a condition manifests that would necessitate an accommodation; it is my responsibility to inform a responsible authority figure within the department of Child Development and Education and work with Disability Support Services to see if a reasonable accommodation or modification can be made.

If you have a medically documented condition or diagnosis, please contact the Child Development and Education office, or contact Disability Support Services (DSS) at disability@grcc.edu or by phone at 616.234.4140 to arrange accommodations through our interactive process.