Program Advisor: Flavia Mastellone, 413-236-4626
The Early Childhood Education concentration meets the Massachusetts Transfer Compact and provides a sound liberal arts foundation for students continuing on to a bachelor's degree.
In addition to courses specific to the field, this degree aims to promote a broad vision of the world and human development from historical,scientific, artistic, environmental, and social science perspectives.
This is a MassTransfer eligible program.
Expected Outcomes
Graduates of this program should be able to:
- understand current and historical philosophical and theoretical approaches to early childhood education;
- develop a philosophy of early childhood education;
- demonstrate an understanding of ethical issues in the field;
- possess knowledge of child development, birth through age 8;
- plan and implement developmentally appropriate activities and curriculum, reflecting children with special needs, and diverse backgrounds;
- describe the role of the early childhood teacher;
- observe, record and assess young children from diverse cultural backgrounds across different developmental areas;
- understand current issues and trends that affect young children
and their families, including legal issues and public policies;
- value the importance of maintaining positive, collaborative relationships with families; and
- be familiar with community resources that serve children;
- demonstrate knowledge of opportunities for professional growth;
- apply teaching techniques and demonstrate effectiveness as a teacher as evaluated by supervising teachers and through self-evaluation.
Graduation Requirements
To earn a degree in this program, a student must complete the 62 program and general education credits, plus the additional requirements, shown below.
| Program |
27 Credits |
| ECE 101 |
Early Childhood Growth/Development |
3 |
| ECE 104 |
Intro to Early Childhood Ed. |
3 |
| ECE 122 |
Special Needs in Early Childhood Ed. |
3 |
| ECE 123 |
Early Childhood Ed. Practicum I |
3 |
| ECE 124 |
Early Childhood Ed. Seminar I |
1 |
| ECE 241 |
Creativity - A Child's Perspective |
3 |
| ENG |
Literature (see footnote 1) |
3 |
| |
Humanities and Fine Arts (see footnote 2) |
3 |
| MAT 113 |
Survey of College Mathematics |
3 |
| |
Free Elective (see footnote 3) |
2 |
| |
|
|
| General Education |
35 Credits |
| COM |
Communication |
3 |
| ENG |
English Composition/Writing |
6 |
| ENG |
Literature |
3 |
HIS 113
HIS 114 |
Western Civilization to 1500 OR
Western Civilization since 1500 |
3 |
| HIS 117 |
United States History to 1877 |
3 |
| MAT |
Mathematics |
3 |
| PSY 107 |
Introductory Psychology |
3 |
| SOC |
Sociology (see footnote 4) |
3 |
| |
Environmental Studies (see footnote 5) |
1 |
| |
Natural or Physical Science (see footnote 5) |
7 |
| Additional As Shown |
|
| Core Competencies Portfolio |
6 items |
| Forum |
12 units |
| Health/Fitness |
30 hours |
| Minimum Cumulative averages: |
|
| -Overall |
2.000 |
| -Area of specialization: All required ECE Courses |
2.000 |
Suggested block for program completion
The following is a suggestion for completing this program in two years. The actual time needed to complete the program will vary according to each student's individual needs.
| First Semester |
6-14 Credits |
| |
Pre-College Courses as needed |
0-8 |
| ECE 104 |
Intro to Early Childhood Ed. |
3 |
HIS 113
HIS 114 |
Western Civilization to 1500 OR
Western Civilization since 1500 |
3 |
| Second Semester |
12 Credits |
| ECE 101 |
Early Childhood Growth/Development |
3 |
| ECE 241 |
Creativity - A Child's Perspective |
3 |
| ENG |
English Composition/Writing |
3 |
| PSY 107 |
Introductory Psychology |
3 |
| Third Semester |
10 Credits |
| ECE 123 |
Early Childhood Ed. Practicum I |
3 |
| ECE 124 |
Early Childhood Ed. Seminar I |
1 |
| ENG |
English Composition/Writing |
3 |
| HIS 117 |
United States History to 1877 |
3 |
| Fourth Semester |
12 Credits |
| ECE 122 |
Special Needs in Early Childhood Ed. |
3 |
| COM |
Communication |
3 |
| ENG |
Literature (see footnote 1) |
3 |
| MAT |
Mathematics |
3 |
| Fifth Semester |
10 Credits |
| ENG |
Literature |
3 |
| SOC |
Sociology (see footnote 4) |
3 |
| |
Natural or Physical Science (see footnote 5) |
4 |
| Sixth Semester |
12 Credits |
| MAT 113 |
Survey of College Mathematics |
3 |
|
Humanities and Fine Arts (see footnote 2) |
3 |
| |
Environmental Studies (see footnote 5) |
1 |
|
Free Elective (see footnote 3) |
2 |
| |
Natural or Physical Science (see footnote 5) |
3 |
Footnotes:
1. ENG 205, Children's Literature, recommended. Fulfills 3 credit hours of a Literature requirement ONLY for students in this concentration.
2. For students who need the course for their work setting, ECE 220, Infant and Toddler Care, may be substituted.
3. ECE 223 and ECE 224 strongly recommended.
4. Sociology course chosen from SOC 105 or SOC 136.
5. The Natural or Physical Science requirement must be fulfilled by one four credit laboratory science and one three credit non-laboratory science or by two four credit laboratory sciences. Completion of an environmentally focused laboratory science, such as BIO 109, BIO 110, ENV 101, ENV 102, fulfills both the Natural and Physical Science and Environmental Studies requirements.
Note: Any prior criminal offense could hinder placement in practicum agencies and the ability to take national licensure examinations. See Criminal Offender Record Information Checks on page 11 for details.
