There are a number of pathways that may meet your educational needs and lead to a career in Early Childhood.
Associate of Applied Science Degree
This is an educational degree that is considered by the Early Childhood (ECHS) field as a beginning level of entry into the profession. The following are some of the jobs graduates can hold with this degree:
- Director of Child Care Center
- Lead Teacher in Child Care Center or Preschool
- Head Start Teacher
- Owner of Child Care Center or Preschool
- Paraprofessional in school districts P.S. - Grade 3
- Director of School Age Care Programs
- Teaching Assistant for Michigan School Readiness Preschool
You may attend classes full time or part time. Most classes are offered in the evening for your convenience.
The student must take the program as described in the College catalog. Many of the ECHS credits will not transfer to other universities and will not transfer to meet B.A. in education program requirements.
Transfer Student (Bachelor's Degree)
This is for the student who plans on pursuing a B.A. in Childhood.
Students planning to transfer credits earned at Macomb Community College are strongly urged to see a member of Macomb's Counseling department as early as possible in their college careers. For information on all counseling services, or for an appointment, contact the Counseling department.
The entire ECHS program will transfer to Mary Grove College, Rochester College, and U of M Dearborn towards a B.A. in Early Childhood. These are not teaching certificate programs. Students who plan a B.A. in Education must work with the Counseling department since the ECHS program does not articulate to an education degree.
Child Development Associate (CDA)
A Child Development Associate is a national credential granted by the Council for Professional Recognition (www.cdacouncil.org). It is less of an academic credential and more of a proof of experience in the Early Childhood field. It is recognized in the Early Childhood field as a beginning level of entry into the profession. It is required by some programs in order to be an assistant in that program or a teacher in others.
First Track:
This is a 15 credit hour program developed for those students who intend to complete an associate degree in addition to the CDA:
- Courses required are ECHS-1100, 1200, 1600, 1700 and 1820
- Program coordinator's approval is needed to enter ECHS-1820
- You must have 3 months practice in the ECHS field to take ECHS 1820
- Must be currently working in Early Childhood
- Student makes own arrangements to be evaluated in their workplace by the credentialed organization.
Second Track:
The second track of completing a CDA includes ECHS-1800, 1810, and 1820. This is an 8 credit hour program:
- Courses required are ECHS-1800, 1810, and 1820
- You must have 3 months practice in the ECHS field to take ECHS 1820
- Must be currently working in Early Childhood.
- Student makes own arrangements to be evaluated in their workplace by the credentialed organization.
Notes:
Students may complete CDA requirements by taking ECHS-1800, 1810, and 1820. These courses are elective ECHS courses.
These courses ECHS-1100, 1200, 1600, 1700 are required classes in the ECHS Associate Degree program.
Other Facts to Consider
- While you are taking courses in this program it is advisable and sometimes required to be currently working with children in a care or educational setting.
- If you have attended a high school child care program that has an agreement with Macomb Community College you need to see the program advisor to receive the advanced standing outlined in the agreement.
Your academic advisor is the coordinator of the Early Childhood Studies Program. Please contact your advisor if you have any questions about this program or if you wish to review your transcripts.