Early Childhood Education Transfer Pathway

With this transfer pathway associate degree, you'll have a solid foundation from which to complete a bachelor's degree in early childhood education. Coursework focuses on infants and children up to age 8 and includes instruction in behavior guidance, special needs, and the development of environments and curriculum. Observations and internships provide valuable hands-on learning experiences at early childhood programs such as Head Start, licensed family childcare and preschools. Graduates go on to professional careers as teachers, assistant teachers and paraprofessionals in childcare settings, group family childcare providers, food program monitors, coaches, human services workers, home visitors and more. 

You'll learn:

• Developmentally appropriate learning experiences for children
• Ethical, professional practices 
• Appropriate child guidance strategies based on developmental stages
• Age-appropriate nutrition practices 
• 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 childcare

Related Programs

You may also be interested in our Early Childhood certificate program or Child and Adolescent Therapeutic Behavioral Health certificate.

Transfer Pathway associate degree programs make it possible for you to seamlessly transfer into designated bachelor's degree programs at any of the Minnesota State system's seven universities: Bemidji State University, Metropolitan State University, Minnesota State University Mankato, Minnesota State University Moorhead, Southwest Minnesota State University, St. Cloud State University and Winona State University. 

When you complete a Transfer Pathway associate degree, you are guaranteed junior-year status within your designated bachelor’s degree program; your 60 credits earned at M State will directly transfer. 

Transfer Pathway degree programs offer many advantages, including:

• Smaller class sizes, more personalized instruction
• Low tuition rate and scholarships are available 
• High-quality courses taught by expert faculty
• Access to academic assistance on M State campuses
• Flexible scheduling and online courses available for some programs
• Student life activities, opportunities for campus involvement

While these programs are designed to provide seamless transfer between schools within the Minnesota State system, many other institutions (including schools outside the system, private schools and out-of-state schools) will accept M State credits for transfer, in part or in full. 

Learn more about your transfer options at Transfer Programs and Pathways.

Earn College Credits in High School

High school students interested in pursuing a degree in early childhood education may be able to save time and money on their college experience by completing college credit-bearing coursework while still in high school, at no cost to them. M State collaborates with many high schools in the West Central Minnesota region to offer college-level academic programming. Course offerings vary by school and program. Learn more at PSEO Students and Concurrent Enrollment Program.