Mar 28, 2024  
2021-2022 Catalog 
    
2021-2022 Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]


Articulation Agreement

Child Development, A.A.A.S. (Western Michigan University - Child & Family Development)



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Academic Plan Code: 634

This academic program lays the foundation to transfer to Western Michigan University to obtain a Child & Family Development, B.S. degree at (Western Michigan). This is accomplished by completing the articulated Child Development, A.A.A.S. program at GRCC in the first two years and transferring seamlessly to Western Michigan University to complete the final two years of the program. The Child and Family Development degree prepares individuals to work with infants, toddlers, preschoolers, school-age children and their families in a variety of settings; more education may be required depending on the chosen career path. By declaring this Articulated Career program, students are on track to graduate with both an Associate of Applied Arts and Sciences degree from GRCC and a bachelor’s degree from Western Michigan University within four years (if enrolled in classes full-time).

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.

Program 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. Western Michigan University will accept the Pre-Child & Family Development, A.A.A.S. degree toward the completion of the Child & Family Development, B.S. degree at Western Michigan. The remaining courses to fulfill the requirements of the Child & Family Development, B.S. degree at Western Michigan are outlined in the program agreement. The completion of this GRCC/Western Michigan University degree program will not lead to Michigan Department of Education teacher certification. The Western Michigan Child and Family Development degree prepares individuals to work with infants, toddlers, preschoolers, school-aged children and their families in a variety of settings. Such settings include parent education, community human services, and other agencies. This program meets the State of Michigan requirements for child care center directors. The program also meets the eligibility requirements for T.E.A.C.H. scholarships.

General Transfer Notes & Michigan Transfer Agreement


The coursework needed to complete this program is listed below.  The courses transfer and satisfy requirements at Western Michigan University. 

Students should contact Western Michigan University to obtain additional detailed information about transfer requirements. Western Michigan University ultimately makes the decisions about how each course will be used to meet the bachelor’s degree requirements. Students should also review the specific admission requirements for Western Michigan University and this Child and Family Development program.

GRCC advisors and faculty are available to help students navigate transfer resources and create an individualized transfer plan, including selection of elective courses, which meets all GRCC and Western Michigan University requirements.

Graduates of this program will earn an Associate of Arts degree from GRCC and may be eligible to earn the Michigan Transfer Agreement (MTA) credential.

General Education Courses


Select a minimum of 30 credit hours of coursework from the General Education course list. Select coursework as directed below.  Use transfer resources available and advising to select coursework based on Western Michigan University requirements.  

English Composition and Communications


Humanities


Select two (2) Humanities General Education Electives from two different disciplines.

Social Sciences


Select one (1) Social Sciences General Education Elective from a discipline other than PS.

Natural Sciences and Mathematics


Natural Sciences


Select two (2) Natural Sciences General Education courses from two (2) different subject areas; one (1) must be a lab.

Mathematics


Select one (1) Mathematics General Education Elective.

General Education Total Credit Hours


30 (minimum)

Total Credit Hours


68

In What Order Should I Take Classes?


Please select courses from the Priority I list.  Select courses based on the number of credits you are taking in the semester, for example, if you are a part time student you do not have to take all of the courses listed.  If you are unable to schedule Priority I courses, move to and select from the list of Priority II, Priority III, and Priority IV courses.

Priority I Priority II

EN 101 - English Composition I  

General Education - Mathematics

General Education 

CD 116 - Family, Relationships & Human Sexuality  

CD 118 - Human Growth and Development I  

EN 102 - English Composition II  

General Education

General Education - Natural Sciences (Lab/Non)

PS 110 - American Government  

CD 229 - Math, Science, and Technology for Preschoolers   

Priority III Priority IV

General Education

General Education - Natural Sciences (Lab/Non)

CD 209 - Creative and Language Arts for Preschoolers  

CD 210 - Infant/Toddler Development  

CD 215 - Adult-Child Interaction  

CD 218 - Early Childhood Program Administration  

CD 230 - Introduction to Early Childhood Special Education and Inclusion  

CD 280 - Internship in Child Development  

CD 285 - Assessment Tools in Child Development  

COM 131 - Fundamentals of Public Speaking  

Wellness Elective - (min. of 1)  

NOTE: This priority schedule assumes the student is prepared to take the courses listed. If prerequisites are required, additional semesters may be required to complete this degree.

Meet with an Academic Program Advisor and consult My Degree Path for specific degree requirements.

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.

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