Nov 27, 2024  
2023-2024 Catalog 
    
2023-2024 Catalog

Pathway Degree with Education and Child Development Concentration, A.A.


Academic Plan Code:  P11

This Pathway Program with a concentration in Education and Child Development is designed for those students who are still deciding which specific area within the Academic Pathway they would like to study or for those who intend to transfer in a related area for which GRCC does not offer an academic program.  Students who have decided on an academic program within the Academic Pathway offered at GRCC should select that program and follow the coursework plan outlined in that program.

Michigan Teacher Certification is divided into five levels: Early Childhood General and Special Education (B-K), Lower Elementary 3 (PK-3), Upper Elementary (3-6), Middle Level (5-9) ELA, Math, Professional, and High School (7-12) ELA, Math, Professional.  Transfer programs differ depending on the grade band and transfer institution. Many of the transfer institutions identify specific general education courses and have no elective courses. It is important to identify your chosen grade band and transfer institution as early as possible and follow the articulated program guides or work with an advisor to identify specific courses that will transfer. It is recommended that students select an academic program and/or transfer institution as early as possible to minimize taking unnecessary coursework and time to completion.

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

The coursework needed to complete this program is listed below.  The highest priority courses are listed in order and are organized to give students both an opportunity to explore the field and complete general education requirements for the degree.  

 

Academic Placement


Students with academic placements should follow these guidelines when selecting coursework for Priority I.

College Readiness:  Strategies for College and Life Success (PY 100 ) must be taken in the first semester at GRCC.

Math:  Math courses should be selected based on ALEKS placement score.

Reading/Writing:  Integrated Reading and Writing (IRW) courses should be taken in the first semester at GRCC. See the table below for courses that can be taken with IRW courses.

IRW 97 COM 131 , EDU 105   
IRW 98 COM 131 , COM 135 EDU 105 PC 101    
IRW 99/EN 101 BI 101 , COM 131 , COM 135 EDU 105 EDU 118 EDU 200 EDU 215 PC 101  
EN 101 BI 101 , COM 131 , COM 135 , EDU 105 EDU 118 EDU 200 EDU 215 PC 101   

Priority I


Students should select courses from the Priority I list based on the number of credits they wish to take during the semester. If students are unable to schedule Priority I courses they should move to and select from the list of Priority II courses. 

Students should select their math course (MA) based on their educational interest and intended transfer institution. Students who intend to move to an articulated A.A. program may take MA 107, while students who complete this Pathway Degree with Education and Child Development Concentration, A.A. should select MA 110 or MA 124 to meet the MTA and graduation requirements.

Priority I Elective Options


Students should select two (2) Priority I elective courses based on their education and career interests.

Child Development (Birth to Kindergarten)


Middle and Secondary Education


Priority I elective course options for Middle and Secondary Education are dependent on a student’s intended teaching subject area.  Students should meet with their advisor and review the requirements at their intended transfer institution.

Priority II


After completing the Priority I courses, students should consider if this Pathway Program still meets their education and career goals. 

  • If a student wishes to move into a specific academic program or to a different Academic Pathway, they should initiate this change using the Declaration of Academic Program in the student Online Center and begin taking the courses in the academic program.
  • Students who wish to remain in this Pathway Program or who are still deciding on an academic program should take the Priority II courses listed below. If students are unable to schedule Priority II courses, they should prioritize taking the remaining general education course requirements needed for this program. 
  • Students should review progress toward academic degree completion.

When making the decision to select EN 102 , COM 131 , or COM 135 , consider the program requirements at GRCC or transfer institution.  

Students should select their Humanities and Natural Science Lab General Education courses based on their educational goals and requirements at their intended transfer institution.

Priority II Elective Options


Students should select two (2) Priority II elective courses below, based on their education and career interests. Course selection must be different than Priority I.

Child Development (Birth to Kindergarten)


Middle and Secondary Education


Priority II elective course options for Middle and Secondary Education are dependent on a student’s intended teaching subject area.  Students should meet with their advisor and review the requirements at their intended transfer institution.

Pathway Next Steps


After completing the Priority II courses, students should consider if this Pathway Program still meets their education and career goals.
 

  • At this point, it is very important that students work with a GRCC advisor or faculty member to get help with course selection and to map out their future coursework based on their academic and career goals.
     
  • If a student wishes to move into a specific academic program or to another Academic Pathway, they should initiate this change using the Declaration of Academic Program in the student Online Center and begin taking the courses in the academic program or Academic Pathway Program.
     
  • If students want to remain in this Pathway Program or are still deciding on an academic program they should:
  • Once the coursework in Priorities I and II, and the General Education requirements for this program are completed, any courses may be taken to complete this degree. The remaining number of courses will depend on the number of credit hours needed to reach the 60 credits required for graduation. For students intending to transfer to a 4-year institution, remaining courses should be selected based on the identified program or major at the college or university they plan to attend.

Total Credit Hours


60