Academics > Areas of Study > Early Childhood
Liberal Arts and Sciences with Advisement Area in Early Childhoood
The Degree
Associate in Arts (A.A.)
This degree with an advisement area in early childhood offers you the opportunity for practical experience in your field by participating in internships at nursery schools, day care centers, or other community service agencies that provide health, education, and welfare services. In addition, the College takes pride in its modern day care center, located near the entrance of campus, which also provides opportunities for field experience.
The A.A. Liberal Arts Program
The Associate in Arts (A.A.) degree at Finger Lakes Community College is designed for students who intend to transfer to pursue a baccalaureate degree, with courses equivalent to those offered during the freshman and sophomore years at most four-year colleges and universities.
Students who transfer from FLCC with an A.A. Liberal Arts and Sciences degree pursue bachelor's degrees in a broad range of majors such as:
- Elementary and secondary education
- Psychology
- Political science
- Pre-law
- English
- History
The degree is recognized in transfer (articulation) agreements with a large number of public and private four-year institutions in New York State and across the nation.
In addition, FLCC offers Honors courses, open to all qualified students, that provide enhanced educational experiences for students with outstanding ability. Successful completion of Honors courses or an Honors Certificate may increase your options for transfer to four-year institutions.
The Advisement Areas
This degree program is designed to help you build a solid academic foundation and prepare for successful transfer to a four-year institution to pursue a bachelor's degree. In addition, students who are interested in a specific area of study may focus their education by earning an A.A. Liberal Arts and Sciences degree with an advisement area for transfer in:
- Anthropology
- Athletic Training
- Early Childhood
- History
- Humanities
- Political Science
- Psychology
- Social Science
- Sociology
The Faculty
Faculty include practitioners in the field and fulltime and adjunct faculty members with expertise in early childhood psychology, education, and health. The learning environment is both practical and experiential as well as knowledge based. Early childhood faculty are dedicated to helping students achieve their academic and career goals.
Information for Students Who Are Undecided about Their Majors
Liberal Arts and Sciences could be the ideal place for you to begin your college career at FLCC. You can explore your interests and abilities, while at the same time begin working toward a college degree.
Many new students who are undecided about their college major will apply for admission into the A.A. Liberal Arts and Sciences program. It is more common than you may realize for students to be uncertain about their academic and career goals upon entering college. Even for those students who enter college with a declared major, statistics show that approximately 70% will change their major at least twice before graduating.
The most important advice we can give undecided students is "don't get discouraged." Instead, take these action steps toward your future:
- High School Juniors and Seniors can attend a Career Exploration Day for Undecided Students, and returning adult students can attend a Career Transitions Workshop at FLCC to explore career interests, learn more about programs of study, and how FLCC can help you get started.
- Visit the Finger Lakes Community College Career Services Office to learn more about yourself, define your goals, investigate career interests, and decide on what you want in a career. Ask about Discover, a computerized career guidance system which provides occupational information as well as an assessment of your interests, abilities, experiences, and values.
- A Career Services counselor can also help you with the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator and Strong Interest Inventory, self assessment and career guidance tools that help with career planning and offer insight into personal and professional development. Make an appointment at the Career Center to learn about these and other career guidance resources currently available. After you complete an assessment, your scores will be interpreted for you and discussed with you at an individual appointment.
- When selecting your course schedule (with the help of your advisor), try to choose courses in a variety of disciplines. After a few courses, students often get a clearer picture of their favorite and least favorite subject areas.
