Early Childhood Education, Associate in Science

Day and evening options

Click here to go to the Mass Transfer webpageThe associate in science degree program in Early Childhood Education is career oriented and designed to enable students to choose a professional role in early childhood education. The program is structured to prepare students for professional careers whether they are pre-service or already working in the field of early childhood education. How children grow, develop and learn will become more meaningful through course work, directed observation and the study of the young child as an individual and as he/she functions in a variety of group settings. An integral part of this program is, therefore, the practicum placement which allows the student to apply theory and new skills, under guidance and supervision, in a variety of classrooms and educational programs. The program also provides the foundation for further study at a four-year college.

A minimum of 68 credits is required for graduation for students with documented work experience.

A minimum of 69 credits is required for graduation for pre-service students.

Students must maintain a grade of C or above in all ECE prefixed courses to proceed to the next semester’s sequence in Early Childhood Education. Students whose grades fall below this level may continue only with the permission of the Early Childhood Education Coordinator.

Any student enrolled in an associate degree program who is new to NECC and has no academic history at the college, must take at least one course designated as intensive in each of NECC’s six-core academic skills-in order to graduate. In most cases, the program’s core required courses include these intensive courses. Students should select electives that meet core academic skills that are not met by the required courses.  Plan to see an advisor for more complete information about this graduation requirement.

CORI/CHRI/SORI

Students interested in participation in this academic program may be required to undergo a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) check, a Criminal History Record Information (CHRI) check and/or a Sex Offender Registry Information (SORI) check. For more information, visit the CORI/CHRI/SORI page on the NECC website.

Northern Essex Community College is committed to the success of every student. Students with legal issues in their background will meet with a committee as part of the CORI/CHRI/SORI process and will receive guidance and counseling throughout the review of their records. NECC personnel make every effort to help students prepare for careers in their chosen field. Students are encouraged to seek assistance and support.

Requirements

CourseTitleCreditsCore Academic Skill(s)
BIO101Human Biology

3

Science Technology Intensive

AND

BIO102Human Biology Laboratory

1

Science Technology Intensive

OR

BIO111Introductory Biology I

4

Quantitative Reason Intensive

Science Technology Intensive

OR

BIO121Anatomy & Physiology I

4

Quantitative Reason Intensive

Science Technology Intensive

COM111Public Speaking

3

Public Presentation Intensive

ECE101Introduction to Early Childhood Education

3

ECE111Preschool Curriculum

3

ECE181Early Childhood Education Field Placement I

1

ECE182Early Childhood Education Field Placement II

1

ECE201Language & Reading Development in Early Childhood

3

ECE202Expressive Learning Activities in Early Childhood Curriculum

3

ECE203Math/Science for Early Childhood Curriculum

3

ECE250Seminar in Philosophy of Early Childhood Education

3

Global Awareness Intensive

Information Literacy Intensive

ECE271Early Childhood Education Practicum I

4

Written Communication Intensive

ECE272Early Childhood Education Practicum II

4

EDU102Introduction to Special Education

3

OR

ECE123Inclusive Practices for Young Children with Special Needs

3

ENG101English Composition I

3

ENG102English Composition II

3

MAT118Mathematical Ideas I

3

Quantitative Reason Intensive

MAT119Mathematical Ideas II

3

PSY101Introduction to Psychology

3

ECE104Child Growth and Development

3

OR

PSY203Child Psychology

3

SCI111Physical Science I

4

OR

SCI112Physical Science II

4

Science Technology Intensive

History/Government ElectiveSee Elective Advice

3

Humanities ElectiveSee Elective Advice

3

Humanities ElectiveSee Elective Advice

3

Elective Advice:
History Government Elective: HIS101 or HIS102 recommended
Humanities Elective: See an Advisor

Schedule Tips: ECE271 offered FALL ONLY; ECE250, ECE272 offered SPRING ONLY

Courses with Prerequisites: BIO121, ECE201, ECE202, ECE203, ECE250, ECE271, ECE272, ENG102, MAT118, MAT119, PSY203, EDU102

Courses with CorequisitesECE101, ECE111, ECE181, ECE182, ECE201 (ECE181: Pre-service Students Only)

Milestone Courses: ECE101, ECE182, ECE201, ECE250, ECE271, ECE272, EDU102, PSY203

Recommended Course Sequence/Pathway Early Childhood Education Associates Degree

CourseTitleCreditsCore Academic Skill(s)

Year 1 Fall

CourseTitleCreditsCore Academic Skill(s)
ECE101Introduction to Early Childhood Education

3

ECE111Preschool Curriculum

3

ECE181Early Childhood Education Field Placement I

1

ENG101English Composition I

3

PSY101Introduction to Psychology

3

Year 1 Spring

CourseTitleCreditsCore Academic Skill(s)
ECE182Early Childhood Education Field Placement II

1

ECE201Language & Reading Development in Early Childhood

3

ECE202Expressive Learning Activities in Early Childhood Curriculum

3

ENG102English Composition II

3

PSY203Child Psychology

3

OR

ECE104Child Growth and Development

3

Year 1 Summer

CourseTitleCreditsCore Academic Skill(s)
BIO101Human Biology

3

Science Technology Intensive

AND

BIO102Human Biology Laboratory

1

Science Technology Intensive

OR

BIO111Introductory Biology I

4

Quantitative Reason Intensive

Science Technology Intensive

OR

BIO121Anatomy & Physiology I

4

Quantitative Reason Intensive

Science Technology Intensive

COM111Public Speaking

3

Public Presentation Intensive

Year 2 Fall

CourseTitleCreditsCore Academic Skill(s)
ECE203Math/Science for Early Childhood Curriculum

3

ECE271Early Childhood Education Practicum I

4

Written Communication Intensive

EDU102Introduction to Special Education

3

OR

ECE123Inclusive Practices for Young Children with Special Needs

3

MAT118Mathematical Ideas I

3

Quantitative Reason Intensive

Humanities ElectiveSee Elective Advice

3

Year 2 Spring

CourseTitleCreditsCore Academic Skill(s)
ECE250Seminar in Philosophy of Early Childhood Education

3

Global Awareness Intensive

Information Literacy Intensive

ECE272Early Childhood Education Practicum II

4

MAT119Mathematical Ideas II

3

Humanities ElectiveSee Elective Advice

3

Year 2 Summer

CourseTitleCreditsCore Academic Skill(s)
HIS101US History I

3

OR

HIS102US History II

3

SCI111Physical Science I

4

OR

SCI112Physical Science II

4

Science Technology Intensive

Total Credit Hours: 68