Day and evening options
The 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
| BIO101 | Human Biology | 3 | Science Technology Intensive |
| AND | | |
| BIO102 | Human Biology Laboratory | 1 | Science Technology Intensive |
| OR | | |
| BIO111 | Introductory Biology I | 4 | Quantitative Reason Intensive Science Technology Intensive |
| OR | | |
| BIO121 | Anatomy & Physiology I | 4 | Quantitative Reason Intensive Science Technology Intensive |
| COM111 | Public Speaking | 3 | Public Presentation Intensive |
| ECE101 | Introduction to Early Childhood Education | 3 | |
| ECE111 | Preschool Curriculum | 3 | |
| ECE181 | Early Childhood Education Field Placement I | 1 | |
| ECE182 | Early Childhood Education Field Placement II | 1 | |
| ECE201 | Language & Reading Development in Early Childhood | 3 | |
| ECE202 | Expressive Learning Activities in Early Childhood Curriculum | 3 | |
| ECE203 | Math/Science for Early Childhood Curriculum | 3 | |
| ECE250 | Seminar in Philosophy of Early Childhood Education | 3 | Global Awareness Intensive Information Literacy Intensive |
| ECE271 | Early Childhood Education Practicum I | 4 | Written Communication Intensive |
| ECE272 | Early Childhood Education Practicum II | 4 | |
| EDU102 | Introduction to Special Education | 3 | |
| OR | | |
| ECE123 | Inclusive Practices for Young Children with Special Needs | 3 | |
| ENG101 | English Composition I | 3 | |
| ENG102 | English Composition II | 3 | |
| MAT118 | Mathematical Ideas I | 3 | Quantitative Reason Intensive |
| MAT119 | Mathematical Ideas II | 3 | |
| PSY101 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 | |
| ECE104 | Child Growth and Development | 3 | |
| OR | | |
| PSY203 | Child Psychology | 3 | |
| SCI111 | Physical Science I | 4 | |
| OR | | |
| SCI112 | Physical Science II | 4 | Science Technology Intensive |
| History/Government Elective | See Elective Advice | 3 | |
| Humanities Elective | See Elective Advice | 3 | |
| Humanities Elective | See 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 Corequisites: ECE101, 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
Year 1 Fall
| ECE101 | Introduction to Early Childhood Education | 3 | |
| ECE111 | Preschool Curriculum | 3 | |
| ECE181 | Early Childhood Education Field Placement I | 1 | |
| ENG101 | English Composition I | 3 | |
| PSY101 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 | |
Year 1 Spring
| ECE182 | Early Childhood Education Field Placement II | 1 | |
| ECE201 | Language & Reading Development in Early Childhood | 3 | |
| ECE202 | Expressive Learning Activities in Early Childhood Curriculum | 3 | |
| ENG102 | English Composition II | 3 | |
| PSY203 | Child Psychology | 3 | |
| OR | | |
| ECE104 | Child Growth and Development | 3 | |
Year 1 Summer
| BIO101 | Human Biology | 3 | Science Technology Intensive |
| AND | | |
| BIO102 | Human Biology Laboratory | 1 | Science Technology Intensive |
| OR | | |
| BIO111 | Introductory Biology I | 4 | Quantitative Reason Intensive Science Technology Intensive |
| OR | | |
| BIO121 | Anatomy & Physiology I | 4 | Quantitative Reason Intensive Science Technology Intensive |
| COM111 | Public Speaking | 3 | Public Presentation Intensive |
Year 2 Fall
| ECE203 | Math/Science for Early Childhood Curriculum | 3 | |
| ECE271 | Early Childhood Education Practicum I | 4 | Written Communication Intensive |
| EDU102 | Introduction to Special Education | 3 | |
| OR | | |
| ECE123 | Inclusive Practices for Young Children with Special Needs | 3 | |
| MAT118 | Mathematical Ideas I | 3 | Quantitative Reason Intensive |
| Humanities Elective | See Elective Advice | 3 | |
Year 2 Spring
| ECE250 | Seminar in Philosophy of Early Childhood Education | 3 | Global Awareness Intensive Information Literacy Intensive |
| ECE272 | Early Childhood Education Practicum II | 4 | |
| MAT119 | Mathematical Ideas II | 3 | |
| Humanities Elective | See Elective Advice | 3 | |
Year 2 Summer
| HIS101 | US History I | 3 | |
| OR | | |
| HIS102 | US History II | 3 | |
| SCI111 | Physical Science I | 4 | |
| OR | | |
| SCI112 | Physical Science II | 4 | Science Technology Intensive |