Child Development (APCD)

Associate in Applied Science

The Child Development Associate Degree program prepares students to be childhood education professionals. The coursework and practica prepare students to work effectively with young children and families in a variety of settings. The program satisfies Michigan state requirements for licensing as directors of child care centers, lead teachers in child care centers, home-based center providers, and support staff in public school early childhood programs and Head Start agencies. It also prepares students to transfer into a bachelor's degree program.

We can definitely tell a difference in staff who have
received training at WCC", Heidi McFadden

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2024-2025 Academic Requirements

The Child Development Associate Degree program prepares students to be childhood education professionals. The coursework and practica prepare students to work effectively with young children and families in a variety of settings. The program satisfies Michigan state requirements for licensing as directors of child care centers, lead teachers in child care centers, home-based center providers, and support staff in public school early childhood programs and Head Start agencies. It also prepares students to transfer into a bachelor's degree program.

This is a high demand program, as defined by the Michigan Community College Network.

Eastern Michigan University, BS degree;
UM-Dearborn, BA degree

Copies can be obtained from the Counseling Office, a program advisor, or from the Curriculum and Assessment Office Web site: https://www.wccnet.edu/learn/transfer-wcc-credits/articulation-agreements.php .

Academic Reading and Writing Levels of 6 are required in the courses of this program.

Students who wish to enroll in child care practicum courses: ECD 132 or ECD 133 must be employed a minimum of 8 hours for 15 weeks for each credit of practicum. Permission is required to enroll in any ECD practicum course. Permission can be granted only after the student has submitted a Work Place Learning Agreement, Student Agreement and an Employer Agreement.

Division
Adv Tech/Public Serv Careers
Department
Public Services Careers Dept
Advisors
Beth Marshall
Niki Lee
Janine Militello
First Semester
Class Title Minimum Credits
ECD 101   Child Development 3
ECD 122   Essentials of Early Care and Education - I 4
ECD 132   Child Development Practicum I 1
ENG 111   Composition I 4
Elective   Any MTA Nat. Sci. Elective(s) 3
Total 15
Second Semester
Class Title Minimum Credits
ECD 123   Essentials of Early Care and Education - II 4
ECD 133   Child Development Practicum II 1
ECD 180   Working with Families in a Diverse Society 3
COM 101 or   Fundamentals of Speaking
COM 102 or   Interpersonal Communication
COM 200   Family Communication 3
MTH 148 or   Functional Math for Elementary Teachers I
Elective   Any MTA Math Elective(s) 3
Total 14
Third Semester
Class Title Minimum Credits
ECD 200   Positive Child Guidance 3
ECD 210   Curriculum for Young Children 3
ECD 230   Child Observation and Assessment 3
SOC 207   Social Problems 3
ECD 205 or   Administration of Child Care Programs
ECD 225   Infant-Toddler: Critical Competencies for Working with Young Children 3
Total 15
Fourth Semester
Class Title Minimum Credits
ECD 220   Development and Care of Infants and Toddlers 3
ECD 240   Education of the Young Child with Exceptionalities 3
ECD 280   The Developing Professional in Early Childhood Education 2
ECD 281 or   Practicum for the Developing ECE Professional
ECD 282   Developing Professional: Child Development Practicum 1
ENG 240 or   Children's Literature
ENG 242   Diverse Children's Literature 3
Elective   Elective(s) to reach a minimum of 60 total credits. 4
Total 16

Total Credits Required
60