Early Childhood Education Degree

Associate in Science Degree

Accredited by the National Association of the Education of Young Children since 2013.

The Associate in Science Program in Early Childhood Education is designed for students who wish to enter the field of early childhood education or who are already employed in an early childhood education setting and wish to earn a credential and expand their knowledge and competency in working with young children. The program provides students with the skills and competencies necessary to work effectively with children from birth through age eight. Students may be either full-time or part-time.

Graduates of the program will be able to find employment in day care centers, preschool programs, Head Start programs, or similar. Associate degree holders would also be eligible for head teacher status in child care centers or could seek further education in a Connecticut Early Childhood Education Teacher Certification program. It will also allow one to transfer to a four-year institution.

The Early Childhood Education Program is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children, 1313 L Street, NW, Suite 500, Washington, DC 20005.

Start today – and combine your skills and your passion in a career that’s exciting and fulfilling – that makes a real difference in people’s lives. Apply today for Middlesex Community College’s Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education, a certificate in Early Childhood Education and a credential track for Child Development Associate, CDA, which will give you a competitive edge for your future employment in a variety of jobs, including daycares, preschools, Head Start programs in teacher or head teacher positions and many others.

Early Childhood Education Program Data May 2020

CONTACT

Norma Rosado-Javier

Assistant Professor & Program Coordinator, Early Childhood Education
Phone: 860-343-5758
Email: NRosado-Javier@mxcc.edu
Office Location: Snow 508
See office hours here

Student Spotlight

UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCE

PROGRAM REVIEW

Students should meet with a Guided Pathways Advisor/Faculty Advisor to review graduation requirements and plan for future semesters by logging into MyCommnet and clicking on Degree Works.

Early Childhood Education Degree Requirements by Semester

First Semester (Fall)		15 Credits	Comments
ENG101, Composition (or ENG101E or ENG*101-ALP)	General Education Requirement: Written Communication	3
ECE*101, Intro to Early Childhood Education	Program Requirement	3	You must take this course prior to taking any ECE* courses numbered 200 and above
ECE*106, Music and Movement for Young Children	Program Requirement	3
ECE*176, Health, Safety, and Nutrition	Program Requirement	3
PSY*111, General Psychology I	General Education Requirement (1 of 2): One course selected from any of these competencies: Aesthetic Dimensions, Historical Knowledge, Oral Communication, Social Phenomena, or Written Communication	3
Second Semester (Spring)		15 Credits	Comments
ECE*103, Creative Art Experiences for Young Children	Program Requirement	3
Choose one of the following: ECE141, Infant/Toddler Growth and Development OR ECE180, CDA Preparation Course	Program Requirement	3
Math (MAT*) Elective (numbered 104 or higher)	General Education Requirement: Quantitative Reasoning Elective - Career Oriented Programs	3	Refer to your Placement Test, SAT, ACT, or GED scores to determine the best Math course for you
PSY*204, Child and Adolescent Development	Program Requirement	3
Sociology (SOC*) Elective	General Education Requirement: Social Phenomena Elective	3
Third Semester (Fall)		15-16 Credits	Comments
COM*173, Public Speaking	General Education Requirement (2 of 2): One course selected from any of these competencies: Aesthetic Dimensions, Historical Knowledge, Oral Communication, Social Phenomena, or Written Communication	3
ECE*131, Children's Literature	Program Requirement	3	If you change your major to a program other than Early Childhood Education, this course cannot be used as a Written Communication elective
ECE*210, Observation and Participation Seminar	Program Requirement	3
ECE*215, The Exceptional Learner	Program Requirement	3
Science Elective, with or without Lab component	General Education Requirement: Science Elective - Choose one course, with or without lab, from one of the following competencies: Scientific Knowledge & Understanding OR Scientific Reasoning	3 or 4
Fourth Semester (Spring)		15 Credits	Comments
Choose one of the following: ART100, Art Appreciation OR ART101, Art History I OR ART102, Art History II OR MUS101, Music History & Appreciation OR MUS*104, World Music	General Education Requirement: Aesthetic Dimensions	3
ECE*231, Early Language and Literacy Development	Program Requirement	3
ECE*275, Child, Family, and School Relations	Program Requirement	3
ECE*295, Student Teaching Practicum	Program Requirement	6
Total Program Credits:		60-61

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of all program requirements, graduates will be able to:

Promote child development and learning by understanding of what young children are like; understanding what influences their development; and using this understanding to create great environments where all children can thrive. This knowledge of how children develop and learn will help to provide opportunities that support the physical, social, emotional, language, cognitive, and aesthetic development of all young children from birth through age eight.
Build family and community relationships through understanding and valuing children’s families and communities; create respectful, reciprocal relationships; and involve all families in their children’s development and learning.
Observe, document, and assess through understanding the purposes of assessment; use effective assessment strategies; and use assessment responsibly, to positively influence children’s development and learning.
Teach and learn through building close relationships with children and families; use developmentally effective teaching and learning strategies; have sound knowledge of academic disciplines or content areas; and be able to combine all of these to give children experiences that promote development and learning.
Become a professional by identifying themselves with the early childhood profession; are guided by ethical and other professional standards; are continuous, collaborative learners; thinks reflectively and critically; and advocate for children, families, and the profession.

JOBS YOU CAN GET WITH AN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION DEGREE:

The Early Childhood Education Associate Degree from Middlesex Community College will allow a student to get work in early childhood education settings such as daycares, preschools, and Head Start programs. They will be qualified to work with children from birth to age eight, which may also allow for positions in after school programs and assisting in elementary schools and camps. This program also meets the needs of individuals already working in the early childhood field, who are interested in earning credentials and expanding their knowledge.

SALARY INFORMATION:

https://www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/preschool-teachers.htm
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/personal-care-and-service/childcare-workers.htm
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/kindergarten-and-elementary-school-teachers.htm

Statewide:
Preschool teachers, except special education- $29,821 annually

Note About Financial Aid
Federal regulations stipulate that a student may only receive financial aid for courses that count towards their degree/certificate. To comply with this regulation, MxCC must track the courses that a student is registered for that count towards their degree/certificate program. Courses identified as not meeting program requirements will not be included in the calculation of financial aid eligibility. Pre requisites will be covered. This procedure is now in effect. Eligibility ceases once a student attempts 90 credits for a typical 60 credit program.

Becoming Connecticut State Community College
STUDENTS: The Community Colleges are undergoing a merger with a plan to become Connecticut State Community College in fall 2023; please work closely with your advisor/program coordinator to select your courses accordingly. Click here for more details about this merger.

Associate in Science Degree

CONTACT

Norma Rosado-Javier

Student Spotlight

UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCE

PROGRAM REVIEW

Early Childhood Education Degree Requirements by Semester

First Semester (Fall)

15 Credits

Comments

Second Semester (Spring)

15 Credits

Comments

Third Semester (Fall)

15-16 Credits

Comments

Fourth Semester (Spring)

15 Credits

Comments

Total Program Credits:

60-61

Learning Outcomes

JOBS YOU CAN GET WITH AN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION DEGREE:

SALARY INFORMATION:

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