EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION

Delores Jackson R.N., M.S.N., Coordinator/Advisor
2755 E. Napier Avenue
Benton Harbor, Michigan 49022
269-927-3571 or
269-927-8100, ext. 5092
E-mail: jacksond@lakemichigancollege.edu
Michigan & Northern Indiana Toll Free
1-800-252-1562

Lake Michigan College offers an Early Childhood Education Certificate program and an Early Childhood Education Associate Degree program.

These programs cover a broad spectrum of sound educational theory and developmentally appropriate practice designed to meet a variety of individual student needs. These needs are as varied as the students and range from the desire to become a better parent or grandparent to the desire to enhance a bachelor's degree with Early Childhood Education.

Students can utilize these programs to advance their professional or personal life in a variety of ways. Individuals completing the Associate Degree program can transfer to a four-year institution, such as Western Michigan University, to obtain a bachelor's degree in Family Studies. For more information, contact: http://www.wmich.edu/swest/swap.html.

Many students can decide to earn their Child Development Associate (CDA) credential and open a home daycare facility, teach at Head Start, or open a childcare center. Others can use the classes to improve their classroom aid education or comply with the Michigan State Law requiring YOUNG 4 classroom aides to complete 120 hours of education in early childhood. These are just a few of the avenues open to students completing either Early Childhood Education program at Lake Michigan College.

People who are interested in earning their CDA must complete the Early Childhood Education classes ELCH 110, ELCH 111, and ELCH 112, which equal the necessary 120 hours. You must select an emphasis area (infant/toddler or preschool), and request a CDA packet by mailing $17.75 (for each packet) as quickly as possible. See CDA Credentials for more information.

Prospective students should enroll at Lake Michigan College and take the first three (3) courses. While taking these three (3) courses, they can take the LMC Compass Assessment to meet the reading and writing prerequisites for all other early childhood classes. (Students who do not qualify must complete and receive an "A" in the respective basic reading and/or writing classes.) After qualifying, students may register for other courses.

If you are interested in a certificate in ELCH (30 hrs.) or an associate degree in ELCH, the steps necessary to enroll for classes at Lake Michigan College are as follows:

Early Childhood Degree Requirements