Program Advisor: Patricia Kay, M.Ed.
The A.S. in Early Childhood Education is a “career degree” meeting the needs of teachers in the field seeking an associate degree as a terminal degree. This option, with more required courses directly relevant to the care and teaching of young children and relating to working with families, provides training for those early childhood educators who choose to remain in the field at an associate degree level. Early Childhood Education (ECE) courses align with MADOEEC and NAEYC standards.
Expected Outcomes
See Expected Outcomes for the Associate in Arts in Early Childhood Education.
Early Childhood Education Cohort
BCC’s Early Childhood Education (ECE) degree fosters the qualities of critical thinking and compassion which are essential in teaching and care giving. This commitment to a strong foundation in a teacher’s career pathway led to the creation of a BCC Early Childhood Education cohort. New cohorts typically begin in the fall.
In a college setting, a cohort is a group of classmates that enters the same program, and completes their courses in tandem.
This program enables teachers already working in the field to complete their Associate in Science degree in a systematic manner, with hybrid courses meeting on Thursday evenings and online. The cohort will progress through the degree program on a prescribed schedule and classes run year-round with a one-week break between each course.
Attaining this degree enables early childhood educators to meet requirements of the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care under the Quality Rating and Improvement System.
Graduation Requirements
To earn a degree in this program, a student must complete all program and general education credits, plus the following Additional Requirements.
Program Courses
| ECE-101 | Early Childhood Growth and Development | 3 |
| ECE-104 | Education: Current Issues & Trends Education | 3 |
| ECE-107 | Understanding and Guiding Children's Behavior | 3 |
| ECE-122 | Special Needs in Early Childhood Education | 3 |
| ECE-123 | Early Childhood Education Practicum I | 3 |
| ECE-124 | Early Childhood Education Seminar I | 1 |
| ECE-220 | Infant and Toddler Care | 3 |
| ECE-223 | Early Childhood Education Practicum II | 3 |
| ECE-224 | Early Childhood Education Seminar II | 1 |
| ECE-241 | Designing Curriculum: Creativity - a Child's Perspective. | 3 |
-
| Behavioral Sciences Electives | 6 |
-
| Free Electives | 9 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 41 |
Behavioral Sciences Electives: See footnote 1
General Education Courses
COM-
| Communication | 3 |
ENG-
| English Composition/Writing | 6 |
| ENG-205 | Children's Literature | 3 |
MAT-
| Mathematics | 3 |
| PSY-107 | Introductory Psychology | 3 |
| SOC-105 | Introductory Sociology | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 21 |
MAT Mathematics: See footnote 2
Additional Requirements
| Core Competencies Portfolio |
4 items |
| FORUM |
4 units |
| Health/Fitness |
30 hours |
Minimum Cumulative Average
| Overall |
2.000 |
| All required ECE courses |
2.000 |
Suggested Pathway to Graduation
The following is a suggestion for completing this program in two years. The actual time needed to complete the program will vary according to each student’s individual needs.
First Semester
(Pre college courses as needed)
| ECE-101 | Early Childhood Growth and Development | 3 |
| ECE-104 | Education: Current Issues & Trends Education | 3 |
| PSY-107 | Introductory Psychology | 3 |
-
| English Composition/Writing | 3 |
-
| Behavioral Science Elective | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
Behavioral Science Elective: See footnote 1
Second Semester
| ECE-122 | Special Needs in Early Childhood Education | 3 |
| ENG-102 | Composition II | 3 |
| SOC-105 | Introductory Sociology | 3 |
-
| Free Elective | 3 |
MAT-
| Mathematics | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
MAT Mathematics: See footnote 2
Third Semester
| ECE-123 | Early Childhood Education Practicum I | 3 |
| ECE-124 | Early Childhood Education Seminar I | 1 |
| ECE-220 | Infant and Toddler Care | 3 |
| ECE-241 | Designing Curriculum: Creativity - a Child's Perspective. | 3 |
COM-
| Oral Communication | 3 |
-
| Behavioral Science Elective | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 16 |
Behavioral Science Elective: See footnote 1
Fourth Semester
| ECE-107 | Understanding and Guiding Children's Behavior | 3 |
| ECE-223 | Early Childhood Education Practicum II | 3 |
| ECE-224 | Early Childhood Education Seminar II | 1 |
| ENG-205 | Children's Literature | 3 |
-
| Free Electives | 6 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 16 |
Footnotes
- Chosen from courses designated ECE, HSV, PSY or SOC. Recommended courses: HSV-135, SOC-136 and SOC-208.
- BUS-105, Business Mathematics; MAT-101, Applied Contemporary Mathematics; or any course with the “MA” General Education designation.
Notes
Berkshire Community College seeks to provide equal access to its programs, services and activities for people with disabilities. Therefore, to the extent practicable, the College will endeavor to make a reasonable academic adjustment for an applicant with a disability who is otherwise qualified.
There are specific sensory, motor and psychosocial skills needed to successfully complete the Early Childhood Education program. Any student who feels he/she will require accommodations with these skills should contact the coordinator of Disability Services.
CORI Check: Any prior criminal offense could hinder placement in practicum agencies and the ability to take national licensure examinations. See Criminal & Sex Offender Record Information Checks for details.