This program is designed for students who are interested in working with young children in developmentally appropriate programs in the broad field of Early Childhood Education. You can take courses towards initial EEC qualifications or work towards a degree with personalized coaching and support from our experienced faculty.
Students who graduate from the Early Childhood Education Associates Degree program build background knowledge in child development, curriculum & instruction, assessment, building and sustaining family, and community partnerships. Student also learn about inclusive practices and instruction while developing professionalism and refining teacher dispositions. In addition to Early Childhood courses, you will take courses to support you in developing as a student and professional in all content areas with a strong foundation in liberal arts. The degree program includes two supervised 150-hour practicums in an Early Childhood community setting supporting initial EEC credentialing.
RCC’s Early Childhood Education Department is centrally located, easy to access, and
offers courses through both online and in-person instruction.
| Semester One - Fall 2022 | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| ACS102 | The College Experience | 3.00 |
| ECE101 | Child Growth & Dev | 3.00 |
| ENG101 | English Comp. I | 3.00 |
| MAT100+ | MAT 100 or higher | 3.00 |
| SCIELEC | SCI103, SCI106 or SCI151 | 4.00 |
| SSI122 | General Psychology | 3.00 |
| Semester Two - Spring 2023 | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| ECE102 | Obs/Recording Chldhd Beh | 3.00 |
| ECE106 | Guidance and Discipline | 3.00 |
| ECE202 | History and Theory | 3.00 |
| ENG102 | English Comp. II | 3.00 |
| HUMELECT | Humanities Electives | 3.00 |
| Semester Three - Fall 2023 | ||
|---|---|---|
| ECE204 | Child Health Care | 3.00 |
| ECE206 | ECE Curriculum I | 3.00 |
| ECE298 | ECE Internship I | 3.00 |
| ECEELECT | ECE Electives | 3.00 |
| HUMELECT | Humanities Electives | 3.00 |
| Semester Four - Spring 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|
| ECE203 | Special Needs in Chld Ed | 3.00 |
| ECE207 | ECE Curriculum II | 3.00 |
| ECE299 | ECE Internship II | 3.00 |
| ECEELECT | ECE Electives | 3.00 |
| SSIELECT | Social Science Electives | 3.00 |
Upon completion of the program, students are qualified to work in EEC licensed childcare settings or transfer to a four-year school for further study. Graduates can become teachers of young children in childcare centers, nursery schools, and Head Start programs. Many students prepare for careers in Child Care, public school, work for and with nonprofits and community organizations and Early Intervention. Graduates can transfer to continue their studies at a public or private four-year school. The program meets the requirements of the Department of Early Education and Care for teacher certification. For more information, please contact the Early Childhood Education Department.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Most careers in the education and human services field REQUIRE a Background Record
Check (BRC) https://www.mass.gov/eec-background-record-checks. At RCC you will be required to complete a BRC to complete internship 1 & 2 and pay
for fingerprinting separately.
MassTransfer - Through the MassTransfer program, your early childhood education degree from RCC transfers as two years of completed work towards at Bachelor's degree at most state colleges and universities. Review the A2B pathways on the MassTransfer website.
RCC also has articluation agreements with private universities that allow for seamless transfer to a four-year school upon completion of your early childhood education degree at RCC:
| First Name | Last Name | Title | Department | Phone | Room | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Jennifer
|
Kearns-Fox | Full Time Early Childhood Education Faculty | Early Childhood Education | jkearnsfox@rcc.mass.edu | 3-318 | |
|
Darlene
|
Thorpe | Administrative Assistant II | Early Childhood Education | 857-701-1492 | dthorpe@rcc.mass.edu | |
|
Donna
|
Woodson | Adjunct Faculty | Early Childhood Education | 617-427-0060 x5241 | dwoodson@rcc.mass.edu | |
|
Michelle
|
Howard-Harrell | Professor | Early Childhood Education | 857-701-1467 | mharre@rcc.mass.edu | 3-324 |
|
Valerie
|
Saucer | Adjunct Faculty | Early Childhood Education | 617-427-0060 x5222 | vsaucer@rcc.mass.edu |
