Early Childhood Education Transfer Pathway AS
M State's Transfer Pathway in Early Childhood Education prepares students to work as highly skilled professionals in the essential career field of early childhood education.
The Early Childhood Education Transfer Pathway AS provides a solid foundation for students who wish to complete a bachelor's degree in elementary or early childhood education. Courses in the 60-credit degree focus on children from birth through age 8 and include onsite experience and instruction in behavior guidance, children with special needs, and the development of environments and curriculum for infant/toddler, preschool-age and primary school-aid children.
Observations and internships are a valuable part of M State's program, which is offered on the Fergus Falls campus. These hands-on learning experiences are offered at many off-site early childhood programs such as Head Start, licensed family child care, preschools, infant/toddler care and school-age care. There are also opportunities to complete some lab work in our on-campus child care facility.
The program meets the educational requirements for assistant teacher and paraprofessional in an educational setting, assistant teacher and teacher in a child care setting and/or family child care provider, and group family child care provider.
Career opportunities
The Early Childhood Transfer Pathway prepares students for a wide range of positions, which can include:
- Head Start program, preschool or child care center teacher
- Food program monitor
- RBPD (Relationship-based Professional Development) specialist
- Home visitor
- Achieve Trainer I
- Public school paraprofessional or teacher aide
- School-age childcare provider
Program graduates also are prepared to work with and on behalf of children and families in a variety of non-teaching career fields such as human service agencies and services, home visiting, coaching, early childhood management and child life.
The Early Childhood Transfer Pathway program has updated all curriculum to include the Minnesota Standards of Effective Practice for Teachers and The Minnesota Early Childhood Content Standards. Articulation agreements are in place with Southwest Minnesota State University and Mayville State University.
Here's what you'll learn
- Developmentally appropriate learning experiences for children
- Professional practices that meet the NAEYC Early Childhood Code of Ethical Conduct
- Appropriate child guidance strategies based on developmental stages
- Age-appropriate nutrition practices for early childhood
- Effective communication with parents and coworkers
- Care and planning for children with special needs
- Typical and atypical development in children ages birth through 8
- Physical, emotional and safety issues related to child care
