Associate in Science Degree

Early Childhood Education Program – Career Option

The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) has awarded the Early Childhood Education Program at Cape Cod Community College full seven-year accreditation, the first such award in the state of Massachusetts and among the very first Associate Degree programs in the entire country to receive such recognition. The NAEYC Early Childhood Associate Degree Accreditation system sets a national standard of excellence for early childhood programs that prepare teachers at the associate degree level.

Overview

The Early Childhood Education Program – Career Option is designed for students who are interested in working with young children. Graduates of the program my work in a variety of child care settings in both private and public schools.

Students who place into developmental math and/or English should begin the course sequence in the first semester. Please see an advisor with questions.

First Semester Credits
ENL101 M 3
ECE100 M 3
PSY101 M 3
SOC106 M 3
    Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning or
Natural or Physical Science
3/4
Second Semester Credits
ENL102   3
ECE105 M 3
ECE201 M 3
PSY201 M 3
    Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning or
Natural or Physical Science
3/4
Third Semester Credits
ENL120   3
ECE202 M 3
ECE206 M 1
ECE221   3
ECE291   2
COM103   3
Fourth Semester Credits
SOC210 (or)
SOC215 (or)
SOC208
 
Marriage and Family (or)
Social Problems (or)
Race, Gender and Class in the United States

SOC210 Marriage & Family: Sociology of Family Interaction and Organization
Credits: 3

Study of the social aspects of family life and the impact of society upon families. Topics include historical forms of family life, varieties of contemporary families, the effects of changing cultural values and economic forces upon the daily life and stability of families, gender, the social psychology of love and romance, sex, parenting, and divorce. The course also covers family policy issues.

Prerequisite: SOC106

Note: Satisfies a Behavioral and Social Sciences general education requirement.

Offered: Fall

SOC215 Social Problems
Credits: 3

This course provides a sociological analysis of the structure and function of contemporary education. Although some comparative cultural/historical data will be used, the focus is on education in America today. Students will explore theoretical approaches to the sociology of education, stratification of schools both externally (public/private, suburban/urban) and internally (tracking, socialization, and more), the culture of schools, the relationship between education and issues of class, ethnicity and gender, and the sociology of educational alternatives and reform.

Prerequisite: SOC106

Offered: Varies

SOC208 Race, Gender and Class in the United States
Credits: 3

This course examines the intertwining constructs of race, class, and gender, and their effects on the social and economic experiences of groups or persons. Through a focus on racial formation in U.S. history, students examine dominant ethnic identity and the histories of diverse ethnic groups. Students analyze how race, class, and gender shape individuals' personal identities and access to institutional settings. Ideologies and achievements of diverse ethnic groups are compared.

Prerequisite: SOC106

Offered: Spring, Summer

Note: Satisfies a Behavioral and Social Sciences general education requirement.

3
ECE230   6
   
Early Childhood Education Elective
  • ECE115 Literacy and the Young Child
  • ECE200 Teaching Infants and Toddlers
  • ECE211 Curriculum Strategies for Teaching Math and Science to Young Children
  • ECE242 Selected Topics in Early Childhood Education
3
    Elective 3
Total Credits 60

M Designates a Milestone course. A milestone course must be completed in the semester indicated to ensure that you remain on track to continue on in your program and graduate on time.

Career Outlook

Upon completion of this program, the student is qualified to work in a licensed child care facility. Graduates also work in summer camps and as assistants in public schools. The program meets the requirements of the Massachusetts Office of Child Care Services.

This occupational profile is provided by O*NET.

Program Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the Early Childhood Education program, students are able to:

Early Childhood Education – Technical Standards

The following information is being provided as required by the Federal Government Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 in response to the American with Disabilities Act.

In order to successfully complete the Early Childhood Education Program, certain cognitive, physical and behavioral capabilities, as specified in the U.S. Department of Labor Core Tasks and Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care regulations, are required in course work and as part of your field experience. Early Childhood Education students must be able to satisfy these essential program standards with or without a reasonable accommodation in order to enroll into and successfully progress through the program. These include:

Communication
Early Childhood teachers must be able to communicate effectively in English with children, families, colleagues, and others in the community.

  1. Speaking – Talking clearly to others to convey information effectively.
  2. Oral Expression – The ability to orally communicate information and ideas clearly so others will understand.
  3. Oral Comprehension – The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
  4. Writing – Communicating clearly and effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
  5. Social Perceptiveness – Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
  6. Reading – Read and understand written materials.

Cognitive Performance
Early Childhood teachers must be able to think independently to solve problems in the classroom to support children’s development and learning and keep children safe.

  1. Problem Sensitivity – The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong.
  2. Critical Thinking – Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
  3. Judgment and Decision Making – Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one. Remaining calm and thinking logically and effectively under emergency circumstances
  4. Complex Problem Solving – Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
  5. Speed of Closure – The ability to quickly make sense of, combine, and organize information into meaningful patterns.
  6. Management of Time – Effectively manage time for self and others.

Behavioral Performance
Early Childhood teachers must be able to combine their knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform many tasks and meet state regulations for early childhood programs.

  1. Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships – Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
  2. Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others – Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
  3. Time Sharing – The ability to shift back and forth between two or more activities or sources of information (such as speech, sounds, touch, or other sources).
  4. Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards - Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
  5. Documenting/Recording Information - Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

Physical
Early Childhood teachers must be able to keep children safe during inside and outside play and activities, including evacuation drills, as well as attend to their physical needs, including feeding, changing clothing and diapers, and providing medication.

  1. Near Vision – The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer) and recognize differences between colors, shades, and brightness.
  2. Far Vision – The ability to see details at a distance and recognize differences between colors, shades, and brightness.
  3. Performing General Physical Activities - Performing physical activities that require considerable and extended use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as standing for long periods of time, running, climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials; use muscles to lift, push, pull, or carry heavy objects; use one or two hands to grasp, move, or assemble objects; and use fingers to grasp, move, or assemble very small objects.
  4. Assisting and Caring for Others - Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to children.