Program Advisor: Patricia Kay
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 History (see footnote 6) | 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 | 4 items |
| Forum | 4 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 to complete the program may 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 History (see footnote 6) | 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 | 10 Credits |
| ECE 122 Special Needs in Early Childhood Ed. | 3 |
| COM Communication | 3 |
| Natural or Physical Science (see footnote 5) | 4 |
| Fifth Semester | 10 Credits |
| ENG Literature | 3 |
| SOC Sociology (see footnote 4) | 3 |
| Natural or Physical Science (see footnote 5) | 4 |
| SixthSemester | 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.
6. Chosen from HIS 113, 114, 121 or 122.
Note: Amy prior criminal offense could hinder placement in practicum agencies and the ability
to take national licensure examinations. See Criminal Offender Record Information Checks.