Early Childhood Education (ECED2-AAS), A.A.S.

Location(s): Ferris Main Campus

Associate of Applied Science

For those people who like to be around young children, a career in Early Childhood Education can be a labor of love. FSU’s two-year program offers instruction in the growth, activities and teaching of children. The Early Childhood Education program at Ferris teaches a broad spectrum of courses and includes extensive hands-on experiences. Students learn about the education of children and study early childhood development, nutrition, first aid, children’s literature and child psychology. They also receive a broad educational background by completing general education courses in English, mathematics, humanities and sociology. Practical experience is another significant part of the program. Majors have the opportunity in the child development laboratory to observe and work with infants, toddlers and pre-schoolers, applying theories and techniques taught in the classroom. Early Learning Center is a Ferris-owned and operated childcare service that serves as a training and observation laboratory for students. The center also offers quality care for children of students, faculty and staff of the University and members of the community. During the final semester of the program students complete a faculty-supervised practicum in a child-care setting. Job placement sites include FSU approved childcare centers.

Program Outcomes

Students will promote child development and learning to build family and community relationships.
Students will observe, document, and assess children and programs in order to support young children and families.
Students will use developmentally effective approaches, content knowledge, and early childhood field experiences to build meaningful curriculum.
Students will identify personal and professional development goals within the field of early childhood education.

Admission Requirements

New Student Admission Requirements

2.50 High School GPA (on a 4.00 scale)
Minimum Composite ACT Score of 17/SAT 900

Transfer Student Admission Requirements

2.00 College GPA (on a 4.00 scale)
Students transferring with completed majors or minors in Education must meet GPA requirements as established by each program at Ferris to be presented to the Michigan Department of Education for certification.

University Requirements - 19 to 20 Credits Required

First Year Seminar Requirement (FSUS 100 or Equivalent) - 0 to 1 Credit Required

All First-Time-In-Any-College Freshmen (FTIACs) must complete a one-credit FSUS 100 course, or its equivalent. Additional information and the definition of FTIAC for FSUS purposes can be found in the: Ferris State University Academic Affairs FSUS Policy

University General Education Requirements - 19 Credits Required

Courses in this section are required to satisfy the University General Education Requirements for an associate degree. The University General Education requirements can be found on the: Ferris State University General Education Requirements Webpage

Communication Competency - 6 Credits Required (or Their Equivalent)

ENGL 150 - English 1 Credit Hours: 3
ENGL 250 - English 2 Credit Hours: 3

Quantitative Literacy Competency - 4 Credits Required (or Their Equivalent)

Choose 1 of 5
MATH 110 - Fundamentals of Algebra Credit Hours: 4
Any MATH Course Higher Than MATH 110 ; Consult Advisor for Exceptions
Official Pre-2016 Math SAT Score of 460 or Higher
Official Post-2016 Math SAT Score of 500 or Higher
Official Math ACT Score of 19 or Higher

Natural Sciences Competency - 3 Credits Required

One course is required with a minimum of 3 credits: must be a lab course.

Self and Society Competency - 3 Credits Required

Choose 1 of 2
SOCY 121 - Introductory Sociology Credit Hours: 3
PSYC 150 - Introduction to Psychology Credit Hours: 3

College Requirements - 41 Credits Required

Major Courses - 39 Credits Required

These courses are used to calculate the major 2.50 GPA requirement.

EDCD 101 - Intro to Early Childhood Edu Credit Hours: 4
EDCD 112 - Theories of Child Development Credit Hours: 3
EDCD 115 - Obsv-Docu of Children Credit Hours: 3 (May Be Taken Concurrently with EDCD 112 )
EDCD 160 - Role of ECED Teacher Credit Hours: 3 (May Be Taken Concurrently with EDCD 101 )
COHP 205 - Child Care Food and Nutrition Credit Hours: 3
EDCD 206 - Ethical Practices-Early Chldhd Credit Hours: 3
EDCD 210 - Mthds-Teach Infants & Toddlers Credit Hours: 4
EDCD 211 - Mthds-Tch PreS and Sch Age Chd Credit Hours: 4
EDLA 261 - Foundations of Literacy Credit Hours: 3
EDCD 295 - Early Childhood Edu Practicum Credit Hours: 6 (Requires a Grade of B- or Higher)
EDCD 308 - Teaching Special Needs in ECE Credit Hours: 3

Electives - 2 Credits Required

The credits required may vary depending on courses taken.

In order to graduate with an associate degree, a student must have a minimum of 60 credits. The electives required for each student may vary depending on courses taken. Based on how a student meets the programmatic requirements, they may need more or less than 2 credits of elective courses to meet the required 60 credit minimum.

Notes

Students who return to the university after an interrupted enrollment, not including summer semester, must normally meet the requirements of the curriculum which are in effect at the time of their return, not the requirements which were in effect when they were originally admitted.
Ferris State University’s Michigan Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (MACRAO) and Michigan Transfer Agreement (MTA) policies will not apply to this program due to programmatic requirements.
Credit Variance - Credits required may vary based on course placement, prerequisites, etc. If you have questions, contact your advisor.

Graduation Requirements

In order to graduate from Ferris State University, students must meet both University and Programmatic Graduation Requirements.

University Graduation Requirements

These are the minimum graduation requirements for an associate degree at Ferris State University:

All requirements as specified in the University Requirements section must be met.
A minimum of 60 credits must be earned.
A 2.00 or higher cumulative Ferris State University GPA is required.
A minimum of 15 credits must be earned from Ferris State University to meet the Residency requirement.

Programmatic Graduation Requirements

These are the additional graduation requirements mandated by the program:

All requirements as specified in the College Requirements section must be met.
A 2.50 or higher cumulative Ferris State University GPA is required in the Major Courses section.
A minimum grade of C must be earned in all courses.