Early Childhood Education

Program Code:

EC

Degree:

Associate in Arts

This program may be completed at QCC Worcester (Main Campus).
Many courses are offered at QCC Southbridge.
This program may be completed face-to-face.
This program may be completed 50% or more online.

Program Contact Email:

earlychildhood@qcc.mass.edu

Additional Information

Goals

Program Goals:

The Early Childhood Education associate degree program prepares students for responsible positions in the field of early education and care or for careers in other child-related areas. Graduates will be qualified for career opportunities in early education and care as a lead teacher and, depending upon experience, as an assistant director or a director in a variety of early education programs. Students are also prepared for transfer to a four-year institution.

Student Learning Outcomes:

Upon completion of the program, graduates will be able to:

Describe young children’s characteristics and needs and the multiple influences on development and learning.
Apply knowledge of development to create healthy, respectful, supportive, and challenging learning environments.
Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of family and community characteristics and describe methods for involving families and communities in their children’s development and learning.
Demonstrate knowledge of and practice meaningful observation, documentation, and assessment of young children that support individual learning and growth.
Employ positive guidance strategies that are developmentally appropriate.
Integrate content knowledge with other disciplines to support the development, implementation, and evaluation of curriculum that promotes positive outcomes for children.
Engage in continuous, collaborative learning to inform practice.
Value ethical standards and professional guidelines.
Demonstrate informed advocacy for children and the profession.
Identify and utilize professional resources.
Demonstrate ability to write and speak effectively.
Demonstrate knowledge and appreciation of diverse cultures.
Pass the CLST portion of the Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTEL) after completion of ENG 102 (for students transferring into Licensure program at a four-year institution).

Classes

Curriculum:

Course Title	Course #	Semester Offered	Credits	Prerequisites
Semester 1 Apply and get accepted to this program (Program Code: EC). Register for and successfully complete all courses to graduate in four semesters. For the Lab Science Electives (Semesters 1 and 2), SCI 105 and SCI 106 recommended. Attend Transfer Services events. For information see www.QCC.edu/transfer. ECE program graduates planning to transfer into a licensure program to teach in public schools are required to have a second academic major in the Liberal Arts, in addition to the Education major. As requirements of each major at each institution vary, students need to intentionally select Liberal Arts Electives to maximize transfer of credit. Complete ENG 101 and MAT 111.
Introduction to Early Childhood Education	ECE 101	F/S/SU	3	Placement into college level English
Composition I	ENG 101	F/S/SU	3	Placement into college level English
Mathematics for Educators I	MAT 111	F/S/SU	3	MAT 099 with a grade of “C” or higher or approp place score
Introduction to Psychology	PSY 101	F/S/SU	3	Placement into college level English
Lab Science Elective	---	F/S/SU	4
		Total	16
Semester 2 ECE courses must be passed with a grade of “C” or higher. ECE courses can only be taken twice. Students who do not meet this standard will not be able to continue in the program and should change their major. Meet with a QCC Transfer Services Advisor. See www.QCC.edu/transfer. Attend Transfer Services events.
Growth & Development of the Young Child	ECE 102	F/S/SU	3	Placement into college level English
Family Issues & Dynamics	ECE 112	F/S/SU	3	Placement into college level English
Composition II	ENG 102	F/S/SU	3	ENG 101
Humanities Elective	---	F/S/SU	3
Lab Science Elective	---	F/S/SU	4
		Total	16
Semester 3 For the History Elective, choose: HST 104, HST 105, HST 106, HST 115, or HST 116. Complete the CLST portion of the MTEL (recommended). A review class is offered through the QCC Center for Workforce Development and Continuing Education. Meet with representatives of four-year schools to discuss/begin the transfer application process. Confirm that MassTransfer 34-credit general education transfer block can be completed.
Curriculum for Young Children I	ECE 231	F	3	ECE 101, ECE 102 or PSY 123, ENG 101, Coreq: ECE 251, ECE 253
Integrating Theory and Practice I: Guidance of Young Children	ECE 251	F	3	ECE 101, ECE 102 or PSY 123, ECE 112, ENG 101, Coreq: ECE 231, ECE 253
Supervised Student Participation I	ECE 253	F	4	ECE 101, ECE 102 or PSY 123, ECE 112, ENG 101, Coreq: ECE 231, ECE 251
Children’s Literature	ENG 200	F/S/SU	3	ENG 102
History Elective	---	F/S/SU	3
		Total	16
Semester 4 Continue with/complete the transfer application process. Submit an Intent to Graduate Form, located on The Q.
Curriculum for Young Children II	ECE 232	S	3	ECE 231, ECE 251, ECE 253, ENG 101, Coreq: ECE 252, ECE 254
Integrating Theory and Practice II: Observing, Recording and Authentic Assessment	ECE 252	S	3	ECE 251, Coreq: ECE 232, ECE 254
Supervised Student Participation II	ECE 254	S	4	ECE 231, ECE 251, ECE 253, ENG 101, Coreq: ECE 232, ECE 252
ECE Elective	---	F/S/SU	3
Humanities Elective	---	F/S/SU	3
Social Science Elective	---	F/S/SU	3
		Total	19
Total Credits Required:			67

Elective Information

Cost & Requirements

Program Admissions Requirements:

Students should note that some first semester courses carry minimum prerequisites. Refer to the program grid.

High School Diploma or GED/HiSET.

Admissions Process:

Admissions inquiries should be directed to admissions [at] qcc.mass.edu. Prospective students may apply to the program of their choice by following the enrollment steps at www.QCC.edu/enrollment-steps.

Technical Performance Standards:

See the Technical Performance Standards page. (Note: Not all programs have technical performance standards).

Credit for Prior Learning:

Students with certifications or over five years of major-related work experience may be eligible to earn credit for prior learning. To apply students must complete a profile at https://myexperiencecounts.mass.edu/

CORI, SORI, Finger Printing & Drug Testing:

Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI), Sex Offender Registry Information (SORI), Department of Children & Families (DCF) background checks and/or finger printing are required for certain mandatory courses.

Additional Cost:

See the Program Fees page.

Additional Information:

Students must pass all ECE courses with a grade of “C” or higher.
Students cannot take any ECE course more than twice.
Student teaching may be completed at the student’s work site.
Students will be required to complete a one semester field placement in a community-based setting.

Career

Career Outlook:

Please consult the Massachusetts Career Information System at https://masscis.intocareers.org/ or the Occupational Outlook Handbook at www.bls.gov/ooh/ for specific occupational information. The CIP code for this program is 13.1209.

Transfer Articulations & Opportunities:

Prospective students may learn more about transfer articulation agreements at www.QCC.edu/agreements. More information regarding transfer opportunities is available at www.QCC.edu/transfer.

More

Early Childhood Education

The Early Childhood Education program prepares you for responsible positions in the field of early care and education or for careers in other child-related areas. As a graduate, you will be qualified for career opportunities in Early Education and cares as a lead teacher and, depending upon experience, as an assistant director or a director. During the course of study, you will develop professional competencies and knowledge of the philosophy of early childhood education through exposure to theory and practice. Practical experience will be provided through weekly off-campus field placements and at the Children’s School in the Quinsigamond’s Child Study Center. You will gain a basic knowledge of the growth and development of young children, and an understanding of their learning processes in carefully planned environments.

Early Childhood Education Program Coordinator: Charlene Mara, 508.854.4447, cmara [at] qcc.mass.edu

Apply for Admission Request Information

Contact QCC Admissions at 508.854.4262 for more information.

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Early Childhood Education

Early Childhood Education Program Coordinator: Charlene Mara, 508.854.4447, cmara [at] qcc.mass.edu

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Early Childhood Education

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Early Childhood Education

Early Childhood Education Program Coordinator: Charlene Mara, 508.854.4447, cmara [at] qcc.mass.edu

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Quinsigamond Community College