Early Education and Care Program

Early Education and Care Program

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Prepare to make a difference in the lives of young children.

The Early Childhood Education Major will prepare you to enter the field of early education and care so you can work in areas such as early intervention, Head Start, private preschool, and group day care. The program integrates studies in liberal arts and sciences with guidelines and standards presented by the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care. Fieldwork accompanies most education courses and is a necessary component of the program. A course waiver process is available for transfer students and articulation agreements are in place with regional community colleges.

WHAT YOU WILL DO:

  • Learn about the developmental process of young children
  • Understand the principles of education
  • Develop curriculum
  • Present lessons in various subject areas to students
  • Engage in fieldwork
  • Prepare for certification as a lead teacher through the Department of Education

Note: This program does not lead to Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education public school licensure. Students who complete this program and apply to the Worcester State post-baccalaureate non-degree initial licensure program must provide evidence that they have worked in the field for 3 years. Any departure from the prescribed program of study must have approval from the department chair or dean.

Explore sample courses in this program.
ED-150 Introduction to the Teaching Profession
Overview of the teaching profession, including an examination of a variety of grade levels (birth to grade 12), learning environments, equity issues, and school management and organization. Developmental domains of learning are introduced. Students engage in lesson planning, observational techniques, and collaboration. 5 hours of fieldwork or experiential learning.
3 credits
ED-160 Early Childhood Education Today
Exploration of early childhood education, emphasizing developmentally appropriate creativities, motor skills. Discussion focuses on families, community resources, play, integration of special needs. 5 hours of fieldwork.
3 credits
ED-206 Development and Learning of Typical and Atypical Children Birth to Age 8
Analysis of children’s learning, focusing on special education, typical and atypical conditions for learning from birth through age 8.
3 credits
ED-211 Integrating Science, Social Studies, and the Fine Arts in Early Childhood Curriculum
Designing and evaluating multi-disciplinary curricula for all children; materials, organizing environments, regulations, learning theories, evaluation of children’s learning and development. 10 hours of fieldwork.
3 credits
ED-214 Emergent Literacy
Early literacy skills. Content and approaches include construction of meaning with written and spoken language, written language forms and functions, letter-sound relationship, phonemic awareness, vocabulary development and assessment. Methods of teaching second language are included. 10 hours of fieldwork.
3 credits
ED-304 Best Practices for English Language Learners
Research-based grade level subject matter, instructional strategies, and performance assessments of English Language Learners are the focus of discussions and class projects.
3 credits
ED-307 ECE - Science
Thematically taught developmentally appropriate activities linked to state science frameworks (life, physical, earth/space). Emphasizing hands-on inquiry and relevance to learners’ experiences and addressing diversity, authentic assessment, and use of technology. 10 hours of fieldwork.
3 credits
ED-308 ECE - Mathematics
Application of Piaget’s ideas to early mathematical education. Other well-known psychologists’ views concerning early mathematics instruction, with application. Field experience. 10 hours of fieldwork.
3 credits
ED-313 Practicum in Early Childhood Education: Preschool/Kindergarten
150 hour practicum in an NAEYC-accredited preschool/kindergarten/licensed day care center. Students apply content, methods, and materials from college courses.
3 credits
ED-340 Language Arts and Literacy for the Primary Grades
Early literacy/language arts content, curriculum materials, and approaches including phonological awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency, comprehension, writing, and assessment. 10 hours of fieldwork.
3 credits
ED-386 Assessment and Adjustment in Practice in Early Childhood Education
Development of skills to assess young children and identify special needs. Analyzing assessment data and adjusting practice to improve learning. 10 hours of fieldwork.
3 credits
ED-400 Inclusive Early Childhood Education: Preschool through Grade 2
Special education law and procedures, modification of programs for English language learners, working with parents, and developing and implementing an anti-bias curriculum.
3 credits
ED-405 Classroom Management and Child Guidance Techniques
Guided analysis/application of principles for students completing a practicum in primary classrooms. Classroom management and guidance techniques.
3 credits
ED-430 Practicum in Early Childhood Education: Grade 1 or Grade 2
Semester-long 200-hour practicum in first or second grade. Planning, implementing, evaluating learning. Setting includes children with disabilities.
9 credits