ECE Advising Tips

Early Childhood Education Department Academic Advising Tips

THE ASSOCIATE DEGREE OPTIONS:

The Early Childhood Education and Administration Associate Degree is primarily a career option designed to prepare students for the Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) Certification as Lead Teacher/Director positions in a child care setting. We provide coursework and practicum experiences but we do not provide the certification. That is done through the Department of Early Education and Care. For more information on MA EEC Teacher Certification requirements, please have students visit their website: https://www.mass.gov/orgs/department-of-early-education-and-care

The Early Childhood Education and Administration Transfer Option Associate Degree is designed to meet the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education, Early Childhood Education Transfer Compact. It is for students who plan to transfer to a four-year school after graduation from Massasoit. Graduates meet EEC teacher qualification.
CO/PREREQUISITES FOR COURSES:
Some ECE courses must be taken in sequence. As soon as developmental prerequisites (ENGL092 and ENGL099) have been met students should enroll in ECE102 (Development in Early Childhood). We recommend that all students take

this course before taking other courses in ECE. All Early Childhood Education Courses have a minimum grade requirement of a C effective Fall 2023.
Practicum and Seminar courses have a minimum grade requirement of a B-.

ECE102 (Development in Early Childhood), passed with a “C” or better, is a prerequisite for ECE111 (Early Childhood Curriculum: A Multicultural Perspective).

ECE111 (Early Childhood Curriculum: A Multicultural Perspective), with a prerequisite of “C” or better in ECE102, is a prerequisite for ECE 280 (Practicum I in Early Childhood Education ) and ECED 285 (Seminar I in Early Childhood Education).

ECE 280 (Practicum I ) and ECE 285 (Seminar I ) are co-requisites and must be taken with the same instructor. Any student considering taking these courses must contact Lauren Dalton immediately in order to begin the process of placement at a Massasoit-designated and approved Early Childhood Program. It should be understood that these are unpaid internships and take place for a minimum of 6 hours on MONDAYS and WEDNESDAYS throughout the semester.

ECE201 (Administration, Supervision and Management of Child Care Programs) is a pre or corequisite for ECE290 (Practicum II in Early Childhood Education and Administration) and ECE295 (Seminar II in Early Childhood Education and Administration).
ECE290 (Practicum II) and ECE295 (Seminar II) are co-requisites and must be taken with the same instructor. Students must be placed in a different early childhood program from the program they were placed in for practicum 1. It should be understood that these are unpaid internships and take place for a minimum of 6 hours on MONDAYS and WEDNESDAYS throughout the semester.

A grade of B- or better in ECE 280 and ECE 285 are required to enroll in ECE 290 and ECE 295.

ECE105 (Introduction to Early Childhood Education), PSYC102 (Child Psychology)*, or a “C” or better in ECE102 (Development in Early Childhood) is a prerequisite for ECE201 (Administration, Supervision and Management of Child Care Programs) and ECE211 (Child Care Policies and Issues)

ECE102 (Development in Early Childhood) with a “C” or better, or PSYC102

(Child Psychology)* is a prerequisite for ECE231 (Infant/Toddler Curriculum)

ECE105 (Introduction to Early Childhood Education) requires that students complete four-2 hour observations in different types of early childhood settings. Students are responsible for setting up and completing these observations.

MATH REQUIREMENTS:
Students in the Transfer Option must complete Math for Elementary Majors I (MATH 127) and Math for Elementary Majors II (MATH128). More information about these courses should be available through the Math Department. Only students in the Career Option can take Mathematical Experience for Early Childhood Education (MATH116).

TRANSFER CONSIDERATIONS:
In the Transfer Option, it is recommended that students take the communication and literacy section of the MTEL upon completion of ENGL102 (English Composition II).

PRACTICUM EXPERIENCES:
Students enrolling in either practicum should not schedule any other day classes on MONDAYS AND WEDNESDAYS for the semester since student teaching is 6 hours on every M/W (a total of 150 hours). Students must submit a completed Physical Form including all required EEC immunizations, before practicum placement. Admission to the Early Childhood Education Program does not ensure a practicum placement. Students are tentatively placed in practicums, which may require a CORI/SORI (practicum site responsibility). A prior criminal offense could hinder practicum placement and future employment in Early Childhood Education and Child Care.

IN HOUSE CERTIFICATES:

Students should be encouraged to apply for College Approved Certificates as they move through the Early Childhood Degree Programs:

The first year of the Early Childhood Education and Administration (Career Option) associate degree, including one practicum (ECED 280 and 285), constitutes the 29 credit in-house certificate. Upon successful completion of the 10 courses included in the certificate (ECED 102, 105, 112, 101, 111,

SPCH 105 or 107, ENGL 101, PSYC 101 or SOCI 104, students will be EEC teacher qualified.

Students who have completed ECED 102 Development in Early Childhood, ECED 101 Positive Guidance, ECED 111 Early Childhood Curriculum: A Multicultural Perspective, a Early Childhood Education elective are eligible for the EEC Lead Teacher Qualifying Courses Certificate and depending on the required work experience may qualify to be EEC Lead Teacher Certified with the Department of Early Education and Care.

Students who have completed ECED 102 Development in Early Childhood, ECED 101 Positive Guidance, ECED 111 Early Childhood Curriculum: A Multicultural Perspective, ECED 231 Infant/Toddler Curriculum, and ECED 150 CDA Program and Practices are eligible for the Child Development Associate Certificate

Students who have completed ECED 102 Development in Early Childhood, ECED 101 Positive Guidance, ECED 111 Early Childhood Curriculum: A Multicultural Perspective, ECED 231 Infant/Toddler Curriculum, ECED 201 Administration, Supervision, and Management of Child Care Programs, and ECED 221 Child Care Policies and Issues are eligible for the Early Education and Care (EEC) Director (Qualifying Courses) Certificate and depending on work experience in the field, may qualify for MA Department of Early Education and Care Director Certification.

*PSYC102 (Child Psychology) is not a requirement in the Early Childhood Education and Administration Program but may be used as a prerequisite for these specific courses (ECE201, ECE211, and ECE231).