Becoming Connecticut State Community College
STUDENTS: The Community Colleges are undergoing a merger with a plan to become Connecticut State Community College in fall 2023; please work closely with your advisor/program coordinator to select your courses accordingly. Click here for more details about this merger.
Mission
The objective of this pathway is to prepare students for transfer to a baccalaureate degree in Early Childhood Education at a four-year college or university. For certification the State of Connecticut requires students to choose an area of concentration such as: English, History, Mathematics, Psychology, Science or Social Studies. Upon completing this pathway, students can receive an Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education. This is the suggested course sequence for full-time students who aim to graduate in two years.
Students should be aware that most baccalaureate degree programs that offer certification in early childhood education require a total of 130 or more credits of study including at least one semester of full-time student teaching during your last year at the four-year institution.
Faculty Contact
tsmith-michnowicz@nwcc.commnet.edu | (860) 738-6305
Outcomes
Upon successful completion of all program requirements (research-based NAEYC national standards), well-prepared early childhood graduates should know and be able to:
1. Promote and foster appropriate ongoing child development and learning.
2. Build family, staff and community collaborate relationships.
3. Observe, document and assess to support young children and their families.
4. Create and implement developmentally and culturally appropriate learning opportunities for young children in a variety of teaching/ learning environments.
5. Become an engaging, reflective, intentionally practicing professional who demonstrates skills for advocacy.
Additional information for students wishing to become CT public school early childhood teachers: In addition to completing the required courses, students will need to pass the PRAXIS I exam and must have proof of the required documented experience working with children. They will also need to meet the admissions requirements for the School of Education at the transfer institution; these vary from institution to institution.
Coursework
SEMESTER 1
ENG* 101 Composition – 3 credits
ECE* 101 Intro to Early Childhood Education – 3 credits
ECE* 176 Health, Safety & Nutrition – 3 credits
PSY* 111 General Psychology I – 3 credits
MAT* 137 Intermediate Algebra – 3 credits
SEMESTER 2
ENG* 102 Literature & Composition – 3 credits
ECE* 103 ECE* 106 Creative Experiences for Children OR
Music & Movement for Young Children – 3 credits ♦ Both offered only in the spring semester ECE* 222 Methods & Techniques in ECE – 3 credits
ECE* 231 Early Language & Literacy Development – 3 credits
COM* 173 BBG* 210 Public Speaking OR Business Communication – 3 credits
SEMESTER 3
ECE* 275 Child, Family & School Relations – 3 credits
ECE* 290 Student Teaching – 3 credits ♦ Consent of the Coordinator and a minimum 2.5 GPA in ECE courses are required to be eligible for student teaching
ECE* 210 Observation, Participation & Seminar – 3 credits
PSY* 204 Child & Adolescent Development – 3 credits
Natural Science Elective – 3/4 credits
SEMESTER 4
PSY* 260 Psychology of the Exceptional Child – 3 credits
ECE* 109 Science & Math for Children – 3 credits
ECE* 291 Student Teaching II – 3 credits ♦ Consent of the Coordinator and a minimum 2.5 GPA in ECE courses are required to be eligible for student teaching
Social Science Elective – 3 credits ♦ HIS* 201 recommended
Elective – 3 credits ♦ Elective should be chosen with your advisor.
TOTAL CREDITS 60(61)