A new four-year degree program in early learning and community development will be launched next fall.
The official name of the program is the bachelor of early learning and community development and has been almost seven years in the making. After the lengthy challenge of getting a degree in this area through the provincial approval process, the first year of the degree will officially begin in September 2016.
“The first two years will be similar to our current diploma program and the last two years will focus on community development,” said Leslie Kopf-Johnson, professor and coordinator of the early childhood education diploma program.
“The degree program will be more in-depth, offering more variety of courses like infant development and cultural diversity and will focus on the community development looking at the importance of programs for children and family within the community setting.”
By combining early learning with community development, students will be qualified in both areas and have many more opportunities for employment once they graduate.
“The degree program will open more doors than the diploma program,” said Kopf-Johnson. “Because they are learning material used in the early learning diploma program as well as the community development material, in a degree program graduates will find job opportunities in teaching, daycare, research, government, managerial opportunities and so much more.”
Jane Trakalo, chair of community studies, thinks the program will benefit students not only by allowing for more job opportunities, but through the meshing of a strong practical base with a deeper knowledge of early learning and community development.
“There was a real need for it in the community,” said Trakalo. “(Theirs is) a need for practitioners with an in-depth knowledge of early learning and community development and our graduates will be able to contribute to healthy resilient communities which will benefit everybody.”
Now that the degree program is in the last few stages of the developmental process, getting word out about the program is among the priorities.
This has proven to be a challenge.
“With something this new it’s always tough to get the word out,” said Margaret Cusson, chair of academic development. “Since students don’t know about it they won’t know to look for it, but those who are looking for it will find it.”
Response and reception for the program has already been positive not only from everyone who has been involved in the developmental process, but from future, current and past students already looking into taking the program.
“We have current students excited for more opportunities and high school students calling in wanting to know more,” said Trakalo. “So the degree program has been getting some excellent reception so far.”