Academic Programs
Overview
Minnesota West's Early Childhood Education program prepares students for meaningful and rewarding careers working with children birth through age 8. The Early Childhood Education Transfer Pathway (AS) offers students a powerful option: the opportunity to complete an Associates of Science degree with course credits that directly transfer to designated Early Childhood Education bachelor's 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 a 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.
Locations
Granite Falls, Online, Worthington
**DHS Background Study is required for program/courses with field experiences.
Program Learning Outcomes:
Define basics of child development and learning.
Create environments for children that are healthy, respectful, supportive, and appropriate for each child.
Articulate characteristics of family and community relationships that support children's development and learning.
Observe, document, and assess to provide learning environments for children.
Use developmentally-appropriate approaches, strategies, and tools to positively impact each child's development and learning.
Build appropriate and meaningful curriculum to promote comprehensive development.
Demonstrate reflective practice and integrate knowledge and cooperative feedback.
Engage in field experiences to develop knowledge, skills, and professional dispositions to promote development and learning in multiple settings and with various age groups.
Sample Two-Year Schedule
Below is an example course schedule for this degree. Students should meet with their program advisor regarding MnTC and elective courses.
| Course Number | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Fall - Year 1 | ||
|
Course Number
Course Title
Introduction to Early Childhood Education
Credits
3
|
||
|
Course Number
Course Title
Child Growth and Development
Credits
3
|
||
|
Course Number
Course Title
Health, Wellness, and Nutrition
Credits
3
|
||
|
Course Number
Course Title
Composition I
Credits
3
|
||
|
Course Number
Course Title
MnTC Elective Credits
Credits
3
|
||
|
Credits for Fall
Credits
15
|
||
| Spring - Year 1 | ||
|
Course Number
Course Title
Behavior Guidance
Credits
3
|
||
|
Course Number
Course Title
Creative Activities and Environment
Credits
3
|
||
|
Course Number
Course Title
Composition II
Credits
3
|
||
|
Course Number
Course Title
Public Speaking
Credits
3
|
||
|
Course Number
Course Title
MnTC Elective Credits
Credits
3
|
||
|
Credits for Spring
Credits
15
|
||
| Fall - Year 2 | ||
|
Course Number
Course Title
Diverse Children & Family Relations
Credits
3
|
||
|
Course Number
Course Title
Introduction to Language & Literacy
Credits
3
|
||
|
Course Number
Course Title
Introduction to Special Education
Credits
3
|
||
|
Course Number
Course Title
Math Skills for Elementary Education
Credits
3
|
||
|
Course Number
Course Title
MnTC Elective Credits
Credits
3
|
||
|
Credits for Fall
Credits
15
|
||
| Spring - Year 2 | ||
|
Course Number
Course Title
Observation & Assessment
Credits
3
|
||
|
Course Number
Course Title
Internship
Credits
3
|
||
|
Course Number
Course Title
MnTC Elective Credits
Credits
9
|
||
|
Credits for Spring
Credits
15
|
||
|
TOTAL CREDITS
Credits
60
|
||
| Fall - Year 1 | ||
| EDUC 1200 | Introduction to Early Childhood Education | 3 |
| EDUC 1265 | Child Growth and Development | 3 |
| EDUC 1267 | Health, Wellness, and Nutrition | 3 |
| ENGL 1101 | Composition I | 3 |
| MnTC Elective Credits | 3 | |
| Credits for Fall | 15 | |
| Spring - Year 1 | ||
| EDUC 1269 | Behavior Guidance | 3 |
| EDUC 1262 | Creative Activities and Environment | 3 |
| ENGL 1102 | Composition II | 3 |
| CMST 1101 | Public Speaking | 3 |
| MnTC Elective Credits | 3 | |
| Credits for Spring |
15 | |
| Fall - Year 2 | ||
| EDUC 1230 | Diverse Children & Family Relations | 3 |
| EDUC 2560 | Introduction to Language & Literacy | 3 |
| EDUC 2900 | Introduction to Special Education | 3 |
| MATH 1109 | Math Skills for Elementary Education | 3 |
| MnTC Elective Credits | 3 | |
| Credits for Fall | 15 | |
| Spring - Year 2 | ||
| EDUC 1290 | Observation & Assessment | 3 |
| EDUC 1510 | Internship | 3 |
| MnTC Elective Credits | 9 | |
| Credits for Spring |
15 | |
| TOTAL CREDITS | 60 | |
Suggested program electives include
EDUC 1340: Planning and Implementing
EDUC 2300: Childhood Poverty: Exploring the Issues
EDUC 2200: Infant and Toddler Development and Learning Experiences
Suggested General Education electives:
NSCI 1100: Issues in the Environment
ART 1120: Art Appreciation
MUSC 1105: Music Appreciation
HIST 1111: Early Western Civilization
ART 2240: Art History
GEOG 1100: Introduction to Geography
BIOL 1110: Principles of Biology
ENGL 2120: Children's Literature