Child Care & Guidance

Degree: AA Mode of study: On-Campus Location: Main Campus
Degree Type
Associate Degree
Program Type
Undergraduate
Location
Main Campus - Cape
College
Education, Health & Human Studies
Department
Child & Family Studies
Careers
<p><span data-contrast="none">With a child care and guidance degree, you&amp;#8217;re prepared for a career in childcare.</span><span data-ccp-props="{&amp;quot;201341983&amp;quot;:0,&amp;quot;335559739&amp;quot;:200,&amp;quot;335559740&amp;quot;:240}">&amp;#160;</span></p>
Apply Now
A child at the Autism Center smiles happily as a childcare associates degree student hold up a card for him to look at.

Gain a foundation for your professional role in your human service and education career. You’ll do that here.

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.  

What You’ll Do      

  • 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

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

Child Care and Guidance Degree Map

Explore the courses you'll need to complete your degree

View the Degree Map

Outcomes & Careers 

  • $30k 

    Child Care Worker

    According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for a child care worker is $30,070 per year.

  • $37k 

    Preschool Teacher

    According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for a preschool teacher is $37,130. 

     

     

  • $35k

    Teacher Assistant

    According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for a teacher assistant is $35,550. 

     


What You'll Study

Degree Map

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)
  • MA128 Numbers & Operations for Educators (4)
  • PH218 Physical Science: A Process Approach (3)
  • PS103 U.S. Political 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)
  • FE200 (3)
Spring Semester (18 Hours)
  • BS103 (3)
  • CF285 (3)
  • CF310 (3)
  • CF360 (3)
  • EX390 (3)
  • LI243 (3)

What will it cost?

Calculate Your Cost
Explore Financial Aid

Explore The Department of Child and Family Studies

Get a glimpse into the classrooms and hands-on learning of our Southeast Missouri State University child & family studies students.
  • A semo student coloring with a little girl.
  • A student squats down to show something on their phone to an individual at the Hoover Center.
  •    A Child and Family Studies student interacts with individuals at a table at the Hoover Center.
  •  A Child and Family Studies student working at the University School for Young Children sits with a child.

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.

Learn More

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, sell your knowledge and experience—and if all this is giving you anxiety, don’t panic. SEMO’s Career Services office is here to help you with the next step. They’ll provide the expertise and support you need, so you’re landing your dream job in no time.

Career Services

Become a Redhawk.

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

Request Info
Apply Now

Additional Resources

Related Programs

View All Programs
Child & Family Studies
Contact Us
Phone
(573) 651-2109
Location
Office Location
Scully Building 114
Mailing Location
One University Plaza, MS 5750
Cape Girardeau, Missouri 63701

Take the Next Step

Apply
Visit
Request Info

Audience Links

Resources for you.

Info For: