Early Childhood Education (ECD)
Type: Career, Degree (AS)
Open Admissions
Division: STEM and Education
This Early Childhood option prepares students for The Department of Early Education and Care certification and employment as Lead Teachers in non-public school settings for children ages 2.9 to six years. Sequences of courses in Human Services and Early Childhood Education are reinforced by observation of and direct work with young children preparing students for immediate work in the field of early childhood and offering some transferable credits to four-year colleges.
Students interested in participating in an academic program that involves working with children, the disabled, or the elderly, or which includes a clinical affiliation, internship, or field placement with a private or public healthcare provider, may be required to undergo criminal background checks, including a national as well as local check (i.e. Massachusetts Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) and Sex Offender Record Information (SORI)). Please note that applicants may also be required to be fingerprinted. Depending on the contents of these criminal background check(s), a student's participation in an academic program that involves working with children, the disabled, or the elderly or which includes a clinical affiliation, internship or field placement with a private or public healthcare provider may not be allowed, and therefore may impact a student's ability to complete program requirements. Furthermore, please note that eligibility to participate in the program and/or clinical affiliation, internship or field placement as a result of screening requirements, such as criminal background checks, is not a guarantee of eligibility to sit for professional credentialing examination(s) or employment upon graduation.
If you have questions related to program admissions or applications, please contact info@northshore.edu or call 978-762-4188.
If you have program advising related questions, please contact earlychildhood@northshore.edu or call 978-762-4048.
First Year
Fall
| CMP101 | Composition 1 | 3 |
| ECE101 | Child Growth and Development | 3 |
| ECE110 | Foundations of Early Childhood Education | 3 |
| HUS101 | The Human Services Worker | 3 |
| PSY102 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
Spring
CMP102-150
| Composition 2 Elective | 3 |
| ECE105 | Using the Expressive arts With Young Children | 3 |
| ECE245 | Field Placement & Seminar 1 in Early Childhood Education | 6 |
LA-ELECTIVE
| Liberal Arts Elective | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
Second Year
Fall
BEH-ELECTIVE
| Behavioral Science Elective | 3 |
| ECE203 | Planning Programs for Young Children | 3 |
| ECE204 | Children With Special Needs | 3 |
| ECE246 | Field Placement Seminar 2 Early Childhood Education | 6 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
Spring
| ECE103 | Supporting the Young Child's Physical and Mental Health | 3 |
LA-ELECTIVE
| Liberal Arts Elective | 3 |
LA-ELECTIVE
| Liberal Arts Elective | 3 |
OPN-ELECTIVE
| Open Elective | 3 |
OPN-ELECTIVE
| Open Elective | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
Requirement Notes
Behavioral Science Elective: Recommended: PSY114, PSY204, PSY136, or SOC112
Open Elective: Recommended: ECE116, ECE206, HUS102, HUS104, HUS120, or HUS122
Program Note
Communication and Mathematics proficiency required to graduate.
See guided pathway sheets for advising information specific to your area of focus.
Total Credit Hours: 60
Program Student Learner Outcomes
- Demonstrate their knowledge about the issues of development, including major theories of development.
- Understand the philosophical traditions of early childhood education and apply them to current issues and trends.
- Plan, implement, and evaluate developmentally appropriate curriculum based on how children learn best including individuality, inclusion, and diversity in all areas of the curriculum.
- Assess their competence in evaluating their attitudes towards children.
- Develop positive interactions with children including enhancing language development, and helping children manage their own behavior.
- Use assessment tools responsibly.
- Become a collaborative team member.
- Build partnerships with families through effective communication and interactions.
- Demonstrate a commitment to the profession by showing awareness of ethical guidelines, early learning standards and core competencies.
- Reflect on their development as a person and an educator and on their pursuit of ongoing professional development.
Occupational Skills Required
- Strong emotional, mental and physical health
- Ability to communicate orally and in writing English
- Ability to maintain safe, responsive and productive environments for children
- Sound cognitive abilities including problem solving, reasoning and planning skills
Experiential Learning Required in Program
- ECE245 - Field Placement/Seminar 1
- ECE246 - Field Placement/Seminar 2
Most Common Linked Occupation Title – All Education Levels
- Child Care Worker and Preschool Teacher
Most Common Linked Occupation Title – Associate’s or Less
- Child Care Worker and Preschool Teacher
Average Annual Growth (10-Year Projection)
- Boston MSA –12.8%
- Boston MSA Average Entry-Level Wages (2016) – $22,000
Top Transfer Institutions
- Endicott College, Van Loan School of Professional Studies
- Merrimack College
- Northeastern University, College of Professional Studies