The Early Childhood Education Transfer Pathway AS offers students a powerful option: the opportunity to complete an Associate of Science degree with course credits that directly transfer to designated Early Childhood Education bachelor’s
degree programs at Minnesota State universities.

The curriculum has been specifically designed so that students completing this pathway degree and transferring to one of the seven Minnesota State universities enter the university with junior-year status. All courses in the Transfer Pathway associate degree will directly transfer and apply to the designated bachelor’s degree programs in a related field.

The Early Childhood/Early Childhood Special Education A.A.S. Degree prepares students for employment in an Early Childhood setting. Students will obtain the educational background and practical experience necessary to provide young children (birth to age eight) of varying abilities with developmentally appropriate learning experiences.

Students will also explore universal promotion, secondary prevention, and tertiary intervention approaches to educate and care for children with challenging behaviors. Physical space, appropriate routines, and myriad transition and teaching strategies will be practiced. In addition, students will develop several communication strategies that will foster an inclusive, relationship-based approach to interacting effectively with diverse families.

This 31-credit diploma is designed to provide practitioners with a core foundation essential to become a highly qualified early childhood professional instructing in a variety of early years settings. Required components for the National Council for Professional Recognition CDA are embedded into the coursework and field experiences. This diploma provides critical components necessary to thrive in this high demand field.

Graduates possess a broad understanding of the foundation of early childhood, special education, diversity of learners and the role and application of observation and assessment. Fostering professional, culturally relevant partnerships with parents and team members is emphasized. In addition, graduates can apply this diploma toward the requirements in the Early Childhood AS and AAS degrees.

The Child Development certificate is designed to prepare individuals for employment in a wide variety of early childhood settings. Practitioners will learn how to provide a safe and healthy developmentally appropriate learning environment which promotes physical and intellectual competence and social and emotional growth. A focus on developing culturally appropriate and inclusive family partnerships with a commitment to professionalism will be introduced.

Graduates of the Child Development certificate will be prepared to apply to the National Council for Professional Development for the internationally recognized Child Development Associate (CDA). In addition, graduates can apply this certificate toward the requirements for the Early Childhood AS and Early Childhood/Special Education AAS degrees.