Early Childhood Education (AS)

Division of Business & Professional Studies

The A.S. in Early Childhood Education prepares students for work with children in a variety of settings including early education and care centers, nursery schools, family child care and school-age programs. Students may transfer into a related non-licensure bachelor’s degree program like Early Childhood Education or Child and Family Studies. The professional courses in the program provide a broad, basic understanding of children’s developmental needs and a repertoire of specialized skills. Practice teaching in early childhood centers, in conjunction with seminars, exposes students to the practical aspects of working with children, supplementing classroom theory. Electives across a variety of disciplines offer opportunities for a well-rounded education.

Graduates of the program meet the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care requirements for Teachers/Lead Teachers. Upon successful completion, the Associate in Science Degree in Early Childhood Education is awarded.

Students choosing to pursue public school teacher licensure programs at the bachelor’s degree level should complete the Liberal Arts: Early Childhood Education or Liberal Arts: Elementary Education Program at MassBay.

Program Learning Outcomes

Program learning outcomes avaliable by clicking here.

Admission Requirements

CORI (Criminal Offender Record Information) and SORI (Sexual Offender Registry Information) background checks are required prior to practicum placement and will be conducted in accordance with state regulations. CORI and SORI results are confidential.

First Year: Semester 1

CS 100 COMPUTERS AND TECHNOLOGY 3 Credits
CT 100 CRITICAL THINKING 3 Credits
EN 101 ENGLISH COMPOSITION I 3 Credits
PS 222 CHILD DEVELOPMENT 3 Credits
Science Elective Credits / Units: 4

credits: 16

First Year: Semester 2

LI 104 CHILDREN’S LITERATURE 3 Credits
ED 112 INTRODUCTION TO EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION 3 Credits
EN 102 ENGLISH COMPOSITION II 3 Credits
Humanities Elective Credits / Units: 3
Science Elective Credits / Units: 3/4

credits: 15/16

Second Year: Semester 1

ED 203 EARLY CHILDHOOD CURRICULUM 3 Credits
ED 228 GUIDING CHILDREN’S BEHAVIOR 3 Credits
ED 230 PRACTICUM AND SEMINAR IN EARLY CHILDHOOD 6 Credits
MA 109 ELEMENTS OF MATHEMATICS I 3 Credits

credits: 15

Second Year: Semester 2

ED 240 PRACTICUM/SEMINAR EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION 6 Credits
SO 120 DISABILITIES: DIAGNOSIS AND INTERVENTIONS 3 Credits
Humanities Elective 3
Social Science Elective 3

credits: 15

Total Credits: 61/62

Program Notes

A grade of C or higher is required in all Education (ED) and PS 222 courses.

This program qualifies as an Alternative Transfer Agreement (Mass Transfer) with select public institutions in Massachusetts. For more information, visit www.mass.edu/masstransfer.

Humanities Electives:

Art, Communications, English (EN 103 or higher), ESL (ES 100 or higher, up to 6 credits), Film, Foreign Language, Humanities, Literature, Music, Oral Communication, Philosophy, Photography, Sign Language, Theater Arts

Social Science Electives:

Anthropology, Economics, Geography, Government, History, Law, Psychology, Sociology

Science Electives

SC 102 Integrated Science I, SC 103 Integrated Science II, BI 101 General Biology I, NS 101 Contemporary Nutrition

Education Electives (for students eligible for 2nd practicum waiver)

ED 108 Art and Music for Young Children, ED 221 Administration of Early Childhood Programs, ED 223 Infant and Toddler Curriculum**, ED 227 Supervision in ECE, ED 115 Education in American Society
**required for Infant Toddler Lead Teacher certification

Practicum/Student Teaching

150 hours of student teaching for each practicum (workplace placement will be considered)

ED 230 is not required before ED 240.

Substitution/Waiver for either ED 230 OR 240 (but not both):

CDA Credential issued by the Council for Professional Recognition.

ED 260 ECE Foundational Practicum (4cr.) plus one ED elective

Waiver for experienced teachers who document competence (letter from employer/supervisor) with at least 2 years of experience in an EEC-licensed or license-exempt early childhood program and a B or better in the first practicum. Students granted a waiver may substitute 2 early childhood education electives for the 6 credits.

All students must successfully complete at least one 6-credit practicum at MassBay to be awarded the degree.

Graduation Competency

Quantitative skills is a MassBay graduation competency for associate degree programs. Prior to graduation, students must demonstrate this competency by completing a 100-level math course (not MAC); or placing into a 200-level mathematics course.