Academic Program Spotlight: Early Childhood, Elementary and Secondary Education

KCC Early Childhood and Teacher Education professor Jamie Bishop talks to ECE 210: Child Growth and Development students in the College's new Early Childhood Education Learning Lab on campus in Battle Creek.

Kellogg Community College offers an Associate in Applied Science degree in Early Childhood Education, an Associate of Elementary Education degree degree and an Associate of Arts degree track for students interested in careers in secondary education.

The Early Childhood Education (ECE) Program also supports the Child Development Associate (CDA) credential by offering ECE courses for academic credit, which may be used for training requirements. Early Childhood and Education major courses are available in a variety of modalities including face-to-face and online.

Early Childhood Education

Early Childhood Education is a growing field with many in-demand jobs focused on children’s growth and development between birth and age 8. The KCC ECE Program leads to an associate degree in Early Childhood Education with specific courses focused on the state of Michigan’s Child Care Licensing Regulations, child growth and development, positive guidance techniques and much more!

KCC’s ECE Program is nationally accredited through the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). Through its higher education accreditation system, NAEYC provides a mechanism for programs to demonstrate their commitment to high-quality professional preparation. The required standards define expectations for what ECE professional preparation programs must follow, thereby increasing the quality of early childhood educators and the overall early childhood services in the local community.

Elementary & Secondary Education

KCC offers a two-year Associate of Elementary Education degree for students focused on elementary education and an Associate in Arts degree for students focused on secondary education. KCC’s Education Program has partnered with different bachelor’s-degree granting institutions to facilitate a smooth transition for students.

With the new teacher certification banding changes rolling out from the Michigan Department of Education, education degrees are somewhat in flux, so it is imperative that students interested in earning a bachelor’s degree in education follow the transfer guide for the institution they intend to enter at the junior class level. KCC advisors and staff are knowledgeable and ready to assist any student on a KCC to College of Education pathway!

Recommended Classes

KCC’s Early Childhood and Teacher Education Department has found much success with previous dual-enrolled students! We highly encourage students to consider taking ECE 210: Child Growth and Development and/or EDUC 200: Foundations of Education if they should have any interest in teaching. Both courses examine different aspects of the teaching profession and are requirements for an ECE and an EDUC degree. ECE 210 and EDUC 200 also both meet General Education requirements.