Child Care & Guidance

A child at the Autism Center smiles happily as a childcare and guidance associates degree student hold up a card for him to look at.
AA On-Campus Main Campus

DEGREE TYPE

Associate Degree

PROGRAM TYPE

Undergraduate

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Gain a foundation for your professional role in your human service and education career. Find your fearless.

The study of child development includes the human life span from conception through adolescence. An academic background in child development (birth through adolescence) provides a foundation for your professional role in human service and education careers, which demands insightful communication, knowledgeable supervision, and realistic problem-solving.  

Where Bold Ideas Take Shape in Child Care and Guidance

  • Interact one-on-one with highly qualified faculty in small class settings in person and online. 
  • Acquire first-hand knowledge of child development in action through experiential learning with children and families in a variety of University and community settings. 
  • Apply child development knowledge to create healthy, supportive learning and care environments. 
  • Be prepared to collaborate with allied professionals in government, corporate, education, and social service settings. 

Launching Your Career With a Child Care Associates Degree

The benefits of an associate degree in early childhood education are clear. You're searching for the program that will help you to not just get your dream job, but to be a confident, prepared graduate as you launch your career. This degree will prepare you for a variety of employment opportunities, including:

  • Child Advocacy Specialist
  • Child Care Assistant or Lead Teacher
  • Child Care Program Director
  • Child Development Consultant
  • Children’s Department Service Worker
  • Community Service Specialist
  • Developmental Assistant
  • Early Interventionist
  • Family Child Care Provider
  • Head Start Educator, Administrator, Field
    Supervisor, or Specialist
  • Maternal Health Program, Child Care Coordinator/Trainer
  • Out-of-School/School-Age Child Care Educator
  • Parent Education Specialist
  • Pregnancy Prevention Program Coordinator/Trainer
  • Resource and Referral Professional
  • Women’s Safe House/Shelter, Children’s Program Specialist

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Child Care and Guidance Degree Map

Explore the courses you'll need to complete your child care associates degree

Child Care and Guidance Associates Degree Outcomes & Careers 

Turn Ambition into Action

The child care and guidance degree requires a minimum of 71 credit hours to complete, including the general education requirements.

Required Courses (39 Hours)

  • CF102 Relationships in the 21st Century (3)
  • CF120 The Child (3)
  • CF124 Children’s Health, Safety, and Nutrition (3)
  • CF200 Constructive Guidance andDiscipline (3)
  • CF209Introduction to Family Theories (3)
  • CF215 Observation: Perception and Process (3)
  • CF233 Creative Thought/Expression in Children (3)
  • CF250 Family Child Care: Feasibility and Management (3)
  • CF280 Learning Theory and Application: Preschool (3)
  • CF285 Learning Theory and Application: Infant-Toddler (3)
  • CF310 School Age Child Care (3)
  • CF360 Family Life Education (3)
  • EX390 Psychology and Education of the Exceptional Child (3)

Additional Requirements (32 Hours)

  • BS103 Human Biology (3)
  • EN100 English Composition (3)
  • EN140 Rhetoric and Critical Thinking (3)
  • FE200 Family Financial Management (3)
  • LI243 Children’s Literature (3)
  • MA12Numbers & Operations for Educators (4)
  • PH218 Physical Science: A Process Approach (3)
  • PS103 U.SPolitical Systems (3)
  • SW121 Helping Skills for Human Services (3)
  • UI100 First Year Seminar (1)
  • US105 American History I (3) 
OR 
  • US107 American History II (3)

First Year

Fall Semester (17 Hours)
  • UI100 (1)
  • EN100 (3)
  • CF120 (3)
  • MA128 (4)
  • PS103 (3)
  • US105 or US107 (3)
Spring Semester (18 Hours)
  • CF102 (3)
  • CF200 (3)
  • CF124 (3)
  • EN140 (3)
  • PH218 (3)
  • SW121 (3)

Second Year

Fall Semester (18 Hours)
  • CF209 (3)
  • CF215 (3)
  • CF233 (3)
  • CF250 (3)
  • CF280 (3)
  • CF360 (3)
Spring Semester (18 Hours)
  • BS103 (3)
  • CF285 (3)
  • CF310 (3)
  • EX390 (3)
  • FE200 (3)
  • LI243 (3)

Get Funding for Your Education

Missouri’s opened the door to a more educated workforce. We want to help you walk through it. If you’re an adult learner and a Missouri resident returning to college, learn about the Fast Track Workforce Incentive Grant. It’s a statewide financial aid program that can be used to pursue a certificate, degree or industry-recognized credential in a high need area in Missouri. This major is eligible for the Fast Track grant.
Logo for Fast Track Workforce Incentive Grant

Getting the Job

Your education is just one piece to launching an extraordinary career. Once you’ve mastered the material, you still have to find the job you want, make the right connections, and sell your knowledge and experience—if all this is giving you anxiety, don’t panic. SEMO’s Career Services office is here to help you with the next step. Our boldly supportive faculty will provide the expertise and support you need, so you’re landing your dream job in no time.

Become a Redhawk.

Do more than dream about the future. Take the first steps to make it all happen.

Child & Family Studies

Contact Us

Location

Office Location

Scully Building 114

Mailing Location

One University Plaza, MS 5750
Cape Girardeau, Missouri 63701