Skip to main content

2025-2026 College Catalog > Credit Programs > Programs of Study > Degrees > Early Childhood Education (ECD)

http://northshore.smartcatalogiq.com/
0870eff7-0e79-4c51-8358-79638942fc70
https://searchproxy.smartcatalogiq.com/search
7905d11e-b329-49c0-b41d-8bcdf5a606f7
program
/Institutions/North-Shore-Community-College/json/Current/college-catalog-local.json
/Institutions/North-Shore-Community-College/json/Current/college-catalog.json
Contents
  • NSCC Locations
  • President's Welcome
  • Academic Calendar 2025-2026
  • Institutional Policies
  • Student Handbook
  • Academic and Student Success Services
  • Credit Programs
    • Admissions and Enrollment
    • Financial and Scholarship Information
    • Academic Information and Policies
    • Programs of Study
      • Credit Programs of Study
      • Clock-Hour Programs of Study
      • Degrees
        • Accounting (ACD)
        • Animal Care Specialist (ASD)
        • Aviation Management (AMD)
        • Aviation Science Professional Pilot (AVD)
        • Biotechnology (BOD)
        • Business Administration Transfer (BAT)
        • Computer Applications (CED)
        • Computer Information Systems (CIT)
        • Cybersecurity and Computer Networking (CKD)
        • Computer Programming (CPD)
        • Computer Science Transfer (CST)
        • Criminal Justice (CRD)
        • Database Management and Security (DBS)
        • Developmental Disabilities (DDD)
        • Digital and Social Marketing (MKD)
        • Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation (DAD)
        • Early Childhood Education (ECD)
        • Elementary Education Transfer Program (EET)
        • Engineering Science Transfer (EST)
        • Environmental Studies (EVT)
        • Executive Administrative Assistant (EXD)
        • Fire Protection and Safety Technology (FPD)
        • Funeral Service (FNS)
        • Graphic Design - Integrated Media (IMD)
        • Graphic Design-Print (GDD)
        • Health Studies (SHD)
        • Horticulture (HUD)
        • Human Services Practitioner (HSD)
        • Liberal Arts (LAT)
        • NSCC RN to Salem State University BSN (NSB) (This program is on hold)
        • Nurse Education (NSG)
        • Nutritional Science and Diet Technology (NSD)
        • Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA)
        • Occupational Therapy Assistant Accelerated Option (OTA)
        • Paralegal (PAD)
        • Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA)
        • Pre-Engineering (PET)
        • Radiologic Technology (RAD)
        • Respiratory Care (RSP)
        • STEM Foundation Degree (STE)
        • Surgical Technology (SRT)
        • Veterinary Technology (VET)
      • Certificates
    • Guided Pathways
  • Course Descriptions
  • Elective Course Options
  • Non-Credit and Professional Programs
  • Faculty and Staff
  • Editor
  • Addendum
Catalog Links
  • Catalog Home
  • Site Map
  • All Catalogs
Share
Print this page
/Institutions/North-Shore-Community-College/json/catalogs.json
0870EFF7-0E79-4C51-8358-79638942FC70

Early Childhood Education (ECD)

Type: Career, Degree (AS)

Open Admissions

Division: Human Services & Emergency Response Pathways


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.

 

First Year

Fall

Course NumberTitleCredits
CMP101Composition 1

3

ECE101Child Growth and Development

3

ECE110Foundations of Early Childhood Education

3

HUS101The Human Services Worker

3

PSY102Introduction to Psychology

3

Total Credit Hours:15

Spring

Course NumberTitleCredits
CMP102-150
Composition 2 Elective

3

ECE105Using the Expressive Arts with Young Children

3

ECE245Field Placement & Seminar 1 in Early Childhood Education

6

LA-ELECTIVE
Liberal Arts Elective

3

Total Credit Hours:15

Second Year

Fall

Course NumberTitleCredits
BEH-ELECTIVE
Behavioral Science Elective

3

ECE203Planning Programs for Young Children

3

ECE204Children With Special Needs

3

ECE246Field Placement Seminar 2 Early Childhood Education

6

Total Credit Hours:15

Spring

Course NumberTitleCredits
ECE103Supporting the Young Child's Physical and Behavioral 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 for Early Childhood Education Degree Programs

Applicants to the Early Childhood Education Programs at North Shore Community College must possess skills and abilities that will allow them to successfully complete the course of study and receive the full benefit of education. In order to achieve the Degree in Early Childhood Education or to become a Lead Teacher, qualified Candidates must be able to possess the following occupational skills with or without reasonable accommodations.

 

  Physical Capabilities: Candidates must have sufficient motor function and strength so that they can independently, safely lift, and carry a child under the age of six or up to fifty pounds,  stoop, kneel, sit on the floor, push and pull equipment and have the dexterity to care for and support children’s needs.

 

  Sensory/Observation Capabilities: Candidates must have functional use of all senses (seeing, hearing) with capabilities to observe and monitor behavior, child interactions, curriculum experiences and individual needs both indoors and outdoors in order to maintain safe, responsive, and productive environments.

 

  Communication Capabilities: Candidates must be able to clearly communicate in English, both orally and in writing (Bilingual/Multilingualism is seen as an asset). Written information would include detailed written observations, ongoing written assessments of children’s skills and abilities, daily updates, and letters to families. Oral  communication would include daily conversations with children, parents, team members, and faculty and an understanding of non-verbal cues in interpersonal encounters.

 

  Cognitive Capabilities: Candidates must be able to develop the abilities to reason, analyze, predict, integrate, and evaluate. Problem-solving as well as planning and design are critical skills for educators and require all of these cognitive abilities. Candidates must be able to perform these abilities in a timely manner for effective classroom management.

 

  Behavioral Capabilities: Candidates must possess the emotional, mental, and physical health required for full use of their cognitive abilities, the exercise of sound judgment, and prompt  completion of all responsibilities related to teaching and learning. Candidates must be able to nurture mature, sensitive, and effective relationships with peers, team members, parents, and  the school community. Candidates must be able to function safely, remain alert to surroundings and potential emergencies and react effectively and calmly under stressful situations.  Candidates must maintain personal hygiene consistent with close personal contact associated with working in a classroom and school community and remain free from alcohol and/or  chemical impairment.

 

  Professional Capabilities: Candidates must communicate an understanding of basic principles of supervision, codes of ethical conduct, and confidentiality and can display attitudes/actions consistent with the ethical standards of the profession. Candidates must demonstrate good attendance, integrity, and honesty in classrooms and in professional work encounters. Candidates  must communicate effectively with children, families, and co-workers of the same or different cultures, with respect, politeness, collaboration, teamwork, and confidentiality.


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
 
Top Transfer Institutions
  • Endicott College, Van Loan School of Professional Studies
  • Merrimack College
  • Northeastern University, College of Professional Studies