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Early Childhood Educator Certificate (ECE)

Type: Career, Certificate (C1)

Open Admissions

Division: STEM and Education

 

The Early Childhood Educator Certificate Program prepares students for the Department of Early Education and Care certification and employment as Preschool Teachers in non-public school settings for children ages 2.9 to six years. This program serves as a stackable credential for the Early Childhood Education Associates degree program that prepares students to be certified as Lead Teachers.

Students interested in participating in an academic program that involves working with children, the disabled, or the elderly, or which includes a clinical affiliation, internship, or field placement with a private or public healthcare provider, may be required to undergo criminal background checks, including a national as well as local check (i.e. Massachusetts Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) and Sex Offender Record Information (SORI)). Please note that applicants may also be required to be fingerprinted. Depending on the contents of these criminal background check(s), a student's participation in an academic program that involves working with children, the disabled, or the elderly or which includes a clinical affiliation, internship or field placement with a private or public healthcare provider may not be allowed, and therefore may impact a student's ability to complete program requirements. Furthermore, please note that eligibility to participate in the program and/or clinical affiliation, internship or field placement as a result of screening requirements, such as criminal background checks, is not a guarantee of eligibility to sit for professional credentialing examination(s) or employment upon graduation.

 

If you have questions related to program admissions or applications, please contact info@northshore.edu or call 978-762-4188.

If you have program advising related questions, please contact earlychildhood@northshore.edu or call 978-762-4048.

First Year

Fall

ECE101Child Growth and Development

3
ECE105Using the Expressive arts With Young Children

3
Total Credit Hours:6

Spring

CMP101Composition 1

3
ECE245Field Placement & Seminar 1 in Early Childhood Education

6
Total Credit Hours:9

Choose 6 credits from the following list within the first year

ECE103Supporting the Young Child's Physical and Mental Health

3
ECE110Foundations of Early Childhood Education

3
ECE116Prosocial Guidance for the Young Child

3
ECE124Introduction to Child Development Associate (CDA) with Portfolio Development

6
ECE204Children With Special Needs

3
ECE206Supervision & Administration of ECE Programs

3
Total Credit Hours:6

Total Credit Hours: 21

 

Program Student Learner Outcomes

  • Demonstrate their knowledge about the issues of development, including major theories of development.
  • Understand the philosophical traditions of early childhood education and apply them to current issues and trends.
  • Plan, implement, and evaluate developmentally appropriate curriculum based on how children learn best including individuality, inclusion, and diversity in all areas of the curriculum.
  • Assess their competence in evaluating their attitudes towards children.
  • Develop positive interactions with children including enhancing language development, and helping children manage their own behavior.
  • Use assessment tools responsibly.
  • Become a collaborative team member.
  • Build partnerships with families through effective communication and interactions.
  • Demonstrate a commitment to the profession by showing awareness of ethical guidelines, early learning standards and core competencies.

 

Occupational Skills Required

  • Strong emotional, mental and physical health
  • Ability to communicate orally and in writing English
  • Ability to  maintain safe, responsive and productive environments for children  
  • Sound cognitive abilities including problem solving, reasoning and planning skills

 

Experiential Learning Required in Program

  • ECD245 - Field Placement/Seminar 1

 

Most Common Linked Occupation Title - All Education Levels

  • Child Care worker and Preschool Teacher

 

Most Common Linked Occupation Title - Associate's or Less

  • Child Care worker and Preschool Teacher

 

Average Annual Growth (10-Year Projection

  • Boston MSA - 12.8%
  • Boston MSA Average Entry-Level Wages (2016) - $22,000

 

Top Transfer Institutions

  • Endicott College, Van Loan School of Professional Studies
  • Merrimack College
  • Northeastern University, College of Professional Studies