Early Education and Care Option, Birth-Age 8, Early Childhood Education, A.S.

CONTACT

Charlene Cross, 413-552-2868, ccross@hcc.edu

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Graduates of this program more than satisfy the course and experience requirements for “Lead Teacher” status in programs licensed by the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (DEEC).

PROGRAM OUTCOMES

Upon completion of this program, students will be able to:

demonstrate knowledge of child development
assess typical child development through formal observations, informal developmental checklists, and discussions with colleagues and families
provide a safe, healthy, and nurturing early childhood setting for children and families that exceeds current EEC standards
identify children who demonstrate behaviors or skill acquisition difficulties that may require intervention
apply appropriate, research-based, and culturally responsive strategies to encourage appropriate behavior in an early education and care setting
apply content knowledge to the development of age-appropriate lesson plans and materials
demonstrate competent and professional oral and written communication skills
understand inclusive and culturally responsive pedagogy in early education and care
understand how to build family and community relationships
apply interpersonal and job performance skills that reflect the professionalism demanded by early child care centers
apply critical thinking and problem solving skills
understand how to apply the principles of UDL in early education and care settings

GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS: 23 CREDITS

ENG 101(A) - Composition I Credit(s): 3
ENG 102(A) - Composition II Credit(s): 3
EDU 100(B) - Education in America Credit(s): 3
ANT 114(B) - Understanding Diversity and Valuing Similarities Credit(s): 3
or
EDU 202(B) - Culturally Sustaining Practices in Education Credit(s): 3
or
PSY 110(B) - Introduction to Psychology Credit(s): 3
MTH 125(D) - Number Systems Credit(s): 3
or
MTH 135(D) - Patterns, Reasoning and Algebra Credit(s): 3
Laboratory Science Elective (E) Credit(s): 4
Laboratory Science Elective (E) Credit(s): 4

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS: 33 CREDITS

EDU 101 - Introduction to Early Childhood Credit(s): 3
EDU 104(B) - Child Growth and Development Credit(s): 3
EDU 113(B) - Children, Families, Schools, and Communities Credit(s): 3
EDU 120 - Guiding Children’s Behavior Credit(s): 3
EDU 203 - Health, Safety, and Nutrition for Young Children Credit(s): 3
EDU 208 - Inclusionary Practice in Education Credit(s): 3
or
EDU 209 - Early Intervention and Inclusion: Birth to age 5 Credit(s): 3
EDU 210 - Curriculum in Early Education Credit(s): 3
EDU 213 - Student Teaching Practicum and Seminar Credit(s): 6
EDU 217 - Infant and Toddler Development, Learning, and Care Credit(s): 3
HSV 141 - Foundations of Trauma and Trauma Informed Care/Services Credit(s): 3

GENERAL ELECTIVES: 4 CREDITS

sufficient to complete the 60 credit graduation requirement; any course listed in the catalog is acceptable

General Elective Credit(s): 3¹

TOTAL: 60 CREDITS

NOTES

¹General Electives: ANT 114 , ASL 101 , ASL 102 , COM 150 , MGT 235 , NTR 101 , SOC 130 , or any EDU course are recommended. However, any course listed in the college catalog is acceptable.

Students must achieve a minimum grade of “C” in all EDU prefix courses in order to graduate from these programs and options.

****Criminal Offense Record Act (CORI), and Sex Offender Registry Information (SORI)****

Students enrolled in EDU courses may be subject to CORI/SORI background checks and review pursuant to the Criminal Record Information Act, Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 6, Section 172-178, and Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 18a, Section 1, et seq., and regulations promulgated pursuant to such statutes. Applicants with a court record/past conviction may be unable to participate in student teaching. If a student is ineligible to do student teaching due to a criminal record, the student will not be able to graduate from the Education Program. The College policy can be found in the Student Handbook.

Depending on course selection, 80% of this program can be completed online. Go to Online Learning for more information.

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