Social Sciences, Education, & Criminal Justice
Focus on the study of human behavior as it relates to individual development and group interaction through the development of analytical, research, communication, and critical thinking skills.
Programs and courses in this pathway focus on the study of human behavior as it relates to individual development and group interaction. Students enrolled in these courses will improve their understanding of the major ideas and events that have shaped American society, law, and key social services like public education and law enforcement. Courses specific to occupational programs – such as Early Childhood, Corrections, Law Enforcement, and Education – are designed to teach students specific skills required for the respective occupation, while the remaining Social Sciences courses are designed to help students develop their analytical, research, communication, and critical thinking skills so they may enter the workforce as successful professionals.
Criminal Justice
Students in this area of study would be pursuing:
Certificates:
- Corrections
- Emergency Telecommunicator
- Law Enforcement (Police Academy)
Associate of Applied Arts and Sciences (AAAS):
- Corrections
- Law Enforcement
Associate of Arts (AA):
- Criminal Justice, AA
Transfer Agreements:
- Criminal Justice Generalists, BS, (3+1), FSU
- Community Development, Public Administration, CMU
- Michigan Transfer Pathway, Criminal Justice (2+2)
Education
Students in this area of study would be pursuing one or more of the following:
Certificate:
- Early Childhood Education
Associate of Applied Arts and Sciences (AAAS):
- Early Childhood Education
- Paraprofessional/Pre-teaching
Transfer Agreements:
- Early Childhood Education, BS, (3+1) FSU
- Elementary Education, BS, (3+1) FSU
- Elementary Education, BS, CMU
- Secondary Education, BS, CMU
Early Childhood Education
WSCC’s Early Childhood Education (ECE) mission uses the synonym ACES. This stands for Advocacy (A), Core Abilities (C), Ethics (E), and Standards (S). Our philosophy statement is WSCC ACES the pulse of ECE. 
Currently, WSCC’s ECE Strategic Objectives, in relationship to the community we serve include:
- Provide professional development, education/training, and resources for those who are, or futuristically, want to work with young children and their families.
- Value and respect diverse perspectives to generate new knowledge and understanding of issues affecting the education and development of young children and their families.
- Follow and implement NAEYC’s guidelines for initial standards for teacher preparation to promote excellence in early childhood education settings and agencies
- Advocate and build public policies, understanding, and support for a comprehensive high-quality system for teacher preparation.
The Associates for Applied Arts & Science Early Childhood Education at West Shore Community College is accredited by the Commission on the Accreditation of Early Childhood Higher Education Programs of the National Association for the Education of Young Children.The current accreditation term runs from July 2017 through September 2023
WSCC’s ECE program is NAEYC accredited. What does it mean to be NAEYC accredited? Here is a quote directly from NAEYC themselves:
“Programs that earn accreditation have demonstrated that they meet a set of national standards—agreed on by experts in the early childhood field—to ensure students graduate with the knowledge and skills all early childhood professionals should possess. The NAEYC Commission on the Accreditation of Early Childhood Higher Education Programs is the body that grants NAEYC Higher Education Accreditation to U.S. programs at the associate, baccalaureate, and master’s degree levels that prepare students to work in the field of early childhood.”
For more information please follow this link
Outcome #1: Measure of Program Completers
|
Academic Year
|
Number of program completers
|
% of program completers who were attending full-time (at the time of completion)
|
% of program completers who were attending part-time[1] (at the time of completion)
|
|
2021-2022
|
10
|
25
|
80
|
|
2020-2021
|
8
|
25
|
75
|
|
2019-2020
|
4
|
50
|
50
|
|
2018-2019
|
11
|
27
|
73
|
|
17-18
|
11
|
0
|
100
|
|
16-17
|
6
|
33
|
67
|
|
15-16
|
3
|
0
|
100
|
Outcome Measure #2: The Program Completion Rate
|
Academic year in which a Fall cohort of full-time students enrolled at the institution (select three sequential years)
|
Percentage of those students who completed the program within 150% of the published timeframe
|
Percentage of those students who completed the program within 100%, 200% (twice) or 300% (three times) of the published timeframe (Please circle or underline the indicator above on which the program will report.)
|
|
2019-2020 (5 FT Students)
|
50
|
50
|
|
2017-2018 (5 FT Students)
|
20
|
20
|
|
2016-2017 (2 FT Students)
|
50
|
50
|
|
2015-2016 (1 FT Student)
|
0
|
0
|
|
14-15
|
33
|
33
|
|
13-14
|
50
|
50
|
|
12-13
|
0
|
0
|
|
11-12
|
66
|
66
|
Outcome Measure #3: Institutional Selected Data – the average GPA of the graduating class
|
Academic Year
|
Outcome Measure
|
Performance Data
|
|
2021-2022
|
Avg GPA ECE Graduates
|
3.54
|
|
2020-2021
|
Avg GPA ECE Graduates
|
3.49
|
|
2019-2020
|
Avg GPA ECE Graduates
|
3.73
|
|
2018-2019
|
Avg GPA ECE Graduates
|
3.48
|
|
17-18
|
Avg GPA ECE Graduates
|
3.48
|
|
16-17
|
Avg GPA ECE Graduates
|
3.43
|
|
15-16
|
Avg GPA ECE Graduates
|
3.32
|
Helpful Links
- Early Childhood Education Certificate
- Early Childhood Education, AAAS
- Early Childhood Education Handbook
- Three-Way Early Childhood Education Program
- Early Childhood Summit 2018
Social Science
Students in this area of study would be seeking to transfer to a four-year institution to pursue majors in fields like:
- History
- Political Science
- Economics
- Geography
- Sociology
- Anthropology
- Social Work
- Psychology
Associate of Arts (AA):
All students in this area of study would pursue a general Associate of Arts Degree
Transfer Agreements:
- Michigan Transfer Pathway, Psychology (2+2)
- Michigan Transfer Pathway, Social Work (2+2)
Programs
WSCC Degree Pathways
- Michigan Transfer Pathway – Criminal Justice
- Michigan Transfer Pathway – Psychology
- Michigan Transfer Pathway – Social Work
- WSCC Degree Pathway – Social Sciences, Education, & Criminal Justice
Career Programs
- Corrections Certificate
- Corrections, AAAS
- Early Childhood Education Certificate
- Early Childhood Education, AAAS
- Law Enforcement Certificate
- Law Enforcement, AAAS
Transfer Programs
- Criminal Justice Generalist, B.S. (Transfer Agreement) – Ferris State University
- Criminal Justice, AA
- Early Childhood Education, B.S. (3 + 1) – Ferris State University
- Elementary Education B.S. (3 + 1) – Ferris State University
Other Programs
Following this pathway will allow you the opportunity to determine which certificate or degree you will earn. Each semester you will take a few of the required general education courses and will select one course from a specific area of study you want to explore further. After each semester, it is essential to reflect on whether you are still exploring or have decided on the right certificate or degree for you!
Within the Social Sciences, Education and Criminal Justice Pathway, there are three major areas of study to choose from. In some cases, you may explore a couple of areas for the first semester or two until you determine the degree that best fits you. Here are the three major areas of study, with course selections recommended by semester:
Semester 1 Options (click to see course options)
Semester 2 Options (click to see course options)
As you follow the WSCC Degree Pathway – Social Sciences, Education, & Criminal Justice , use the Semester 1 and Semester 2 options for the specific area of study you are most interested in exploring. While this pathway does lead to an Associate of Arts Transfer Degree, we strongly encourage you to update your program of study with Student Services if you have determined which degree or certificate you’d like to earn. At that time Advisors and Faculty Mentors can provide even better course selection advice.
Let’s begin your journey through the Social Sciences, Educational and Criminal Justice Pathway!
How Can We Help You?
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