PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: The Associate in Science degree in Early Childhood Education is designed to outline the typical classes students should take when beginning their major in Early Childhood Education. Through various coursework, this degree fulfills the College’s mission of developing skills in written and oral communication, and critical thinking, while advancing knowledge in diversity, social responsibility, and well-rounded instruction to be positive contributors to society. Students should work closely with their advisor, as transfer universities may have different requirements or suggested electives. Unlike the Early Childhood Education Certificate A, this degree is transferable to a four-year university for students who want to teach early childhood.

Systemwide General Education Bucket Requirements (SGE)

Beginning in Fall 2024, GCCC will participate with all state universities, Washburn University and all community colleges in Kansas in the systemwide general education (SGE) framework for associate in arts (AA) and associate in science (AS) degrees. GCCC’s SGE framework includes 34-37 credit hours organized in 7 “buckets” identified by an individual SGE code. Any student who has completed the full credit hour requirement in all buckets will be considered to have completed the Kansas SGE framework for associate in arts (AA) and associate in science (AS) degrees. The completion of the 34-37 credit hour general education package will be noted on the student’s transcript.

Math Pathways

All public colleges and universities in Kansas follow Math Pathways guidance for satisfying general education math requirements as prescribed by the Kansas Board of Regents. All programs use one of three courses (College Algebra, Contemporary Mathematics or Fundamentals of Statistics), but also recognize other advanced math courses as acceptable. The course listed in the degree plan for your program is the course recommended by the Kansas Board of Regents. College Algebra can be substituted for Contemporary Mathematics or Fundamentals or Statistics.

Articulation Agreements for Bachelor Degree Competion:

• Baker University  
• Bellevue University  
• Bethany College  
• Kansas Wesleyan University  
• Newman University