Child Development Education

Overview

Whether you want to finish your bachelor’s degree, change your career, or expand your knowledge and earnings horizon, the University of Saint Mary has the Kansas City area’s most flexible and accelerated undergraduate degree-completion program.

If you’re thinking about returning to the classroom, make no mistake: now is the time. In this competitive job market, a college degree is more important than ever.

USM’s adult degree-completion program in child development education offers the same high level of academic excellence as our traditional day classes.

Our child development education program is designed for students with an associate’s degree in early childhood development. Under the guidance of caring instructors, you’ll explore how children learn and develop during their earliest years, and prepare to work with children from infancy through middle-school ages.

The major is also a stepping stone to professional graduate degree programs in psychology, sociology, adult education, or nursing.

Your advisors in the undergraduate degree-completion program are committed to your success. They’ll work diligently with you to arrange a schedule that fits your life.

Is it for you?

• The University of Saint Mary undergraduate degree-completion program is conveniently located in Overland Park near 115th and Pflumm
• It’s a perfect option for anyone with an associate’s degree looking to take the next step, a student with a variety of college under their belt wanting to focus on a major, or a professional looking for continue their education and return to the classroom
• You do not have to take courses in a particular order. That means if you have a particularly heavy work schedule or personal scheduling issue, you may choose the courses that best fits your schedule
• It’s flexible. You can opt to go full-time, taking more than one course; or part-time, taking one course at a time
• USM offers affordable tuition and financial aid. Our undergraduate degree-completion program is an excellent   value

Flexible Scheduling

USM’s accelerated degree-completion program is designed to meet the needs of busy individuals balancing work and family commitments.
We offer:

• Evening classes that primarily meet one night a week
• Accelerated 8-week sessions
• Terms begin five times a year. Start at any term

We recommend that you submit your application materials at least three weeks prior to the start of the term.

Apply Now! Request More Information

Curriculum

USM’s adult degree-completion program offers you the same high quality education of as the university’s traditional undergraduate program in a more convenient and flexible accelerated evening format.

Child Development Education is essential for anyone who works with young children.

Visit our Core Courses tab for more information on what classes you’ll be taking and how many credit hours you’ll need.

Core Courses

General Education Courses

Communications — nine credit hours comprising the following three courses

• Composition I
• Composition II
• Oral Communications

Humanities — six credit hours from the following areas:

• Literature/Theatre
• Foreign Language
• History
• Humanities (Art, Music, Religion)
• Philosophy

Social Science — six credit hours from the following areas:

• Economics
• Anthropology
• Political Science
• Psychology
• Sociology

Science and Math — nine credit hours from the following areas:

• Natural Science with Lab
• College Algebra and Statistics

IDEA Seminar I
IDEA Seminar II

Child Development Education Courses

• Social & Cultural Foundations
• Seminar I: What’s School Life?
• Educating Exceptional Children & Youth
• Psychological Foundations of Education
• Psychology of Childhood & Adolescence
• Special Topics in Education
• Advanced Curriculum Design in Early Childhood Education
• Interaction Techniques in Early Childhood Education
• Family Systems
• Special Topic: Emerging Literacy
• Advanced Professional Practicum
• Seminar in Early Childhood Education

Admission Requirements

The USM adult degree-completion program is ideally suited for students who have completed roughly two years of college (approximately 60 credit hours), although those with fewer credit hours are accepted.

You will work one-on-one with a faculty member to integrate your past learning and college credits into our program—or to complete any required courses you’re lacking within the context of the program.

Other admission requirements are:

• Completed application and $25 application fee
• Official transcripts from all previous colleges and universities attended
• Minimum grade point average of 2.0 (on a scale of 4.0)

Prerequisites

You will be best prepared to enter the undergraduate degree-completion program if you have completed the following college courses.

Your advisor will work with you if you’re missing any of these requirements.

And you may receive credit for life experiences. A portfolio you prepare detailing your experience will be judged by a committee that determines how much college credit—up to a maximum of 30 hours—you will be granted.

Communications (nine credit hours)

• English Composition I
• English Composition II
• Communications

Humanities (six credit hours/two courses). Must include courses from at least two of these five areas:

• Literature/Theatre
• Foreign Language
• History
• Humanities (Art, Humanities, Religion, Photography)
• Philosophy

Social Sciences/Economics (six credit hours/two courses). Must include courses from at least two of these five areas:

• Anthropology
• Economics
• Political Science
• Psychology
• Sociology

Science/Mathematics (nine credit hours). Must include one course from a lab science and one from mathematics.

• Life Sciences (Biology)
• Physical Science (Astronomy, Chemistry, Geology, Physics)
• Mathematics (Equivalent to USM MA185 or above

Graduation Requirements

The USM adult degree-completion program is geared toward students who have completed roughly two years of college (approximately 60 credit hours).

USM requires the successful completion of 128 credit hours to earn a bachelor’s degree.

Faculty

Program Advisor

Pat Howard
Overland Park Campus Director &  Degree-Completion Advisor
(913) 319-3002
HowardP@stmary.edu

Child Development

Denise Filley, Child Development
B.S., Calgary Bible College; M.A., Liberty University

Margaret Gray, Child Development
B.S., University of Nebraska-Lincoln; M.A.T., Webster University

Olliea Jarrett, Child Development
B.S., M.A., University of Saint Mary

Frequently Asked Questions

• Will all of my credits transfer?
• How long will it take to finish my degree?
• Where will my classes be held?
• Is this an accelerated program?
• What do I need to be admitted?

Will all of my credits transfer?

They generally will, as long as they come from an accredited college or university. You can only have 64 transfer credit hours from a two-year school, so you might have an excessive number of two-year school hours. They will transfer and show up on your transcript, but they will not count toward your degree.

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How long will it take to finish my degree?

There is no firm answer to this. Usually there are several factors to consider:

• How many credit hours you are transferring to USM?
• How many classes you want to take each term?
• The rotation of classes between the sites

To get a better sense of timeframe, speak with a program advisor.

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Where will my classes be held?

You may take classes at any of our sites. The Overland Park Campus will offer all of the classes for all of the degree-completion programs. Our Kansas City, Kansas site will have applied psychology, business administration, and sociology classes. The main campus in Leavenworth will also offer some evening classes.

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Is this an accelerated program?

Yes. Other than elementary education, most of the classes are in an 8-week format. Classes start August (Fall I), October (Fall II), January (Spring I), March (Spring II) and May (Summer Session).

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What do I need to be admitted?

• An application with a $25 application fee
• An official transcript from any other college or university that you have attended
• A 2.0 cumulative grade point average in your previous coursework