2018-2019 Catalog

Early Childhood Educator (ECAS1)

Award: Associate in applied science degree

Program location: Learning Community of North Omaha

This degree prepares students for employment as an Early Childhood Educator or director in a variety of early childhood education settings in the state of Nebraska. Learning opportunities are centered on methodologies and current research in the field of Early Childhood. The courses provide a variety of field experiences to help the student be prepared for teaching in the Early Childhood field. Practicum courses include requirements for working with infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and school-agers, in addition to the student’s age choice for the final student teach practicum. 

 
Individuals who are considering going into the field of early childhood education should be aware that checks with the adult and child abuse registries are conducted before students can enter the program and participate in required field experiences that are required in each of the ECED courses. A criminal background investigation and checks of the child abuse/neglect, adult protective services and state patrol sex offender registries will be required of each student in the Early Childhood Education program. Based on the result of the criminal background and registry checks, a student may be prevented from taking certain courses, accessing certain laboratory/practicum experiences, or completing the program. A nonrefundable fee of approximately $40 will be assessed to the student’s MCC student account for the criminal background and registry checks.

All courses in the Early Childhood Education program require field and/or clinical experience hours within early childhood education settings except for ECED 1220, ECED 1221, ECED 1222, ECED 1240, ECED 1241, and ECED 2090 or ECED 2091.

Graduation Requirements

General education

31.5

Major requirements

75.0

Total credit hours required

106.5

General education requirements (31.5 credit hrs.)

Communications

English level I

4.5

English level II

4.5

Social sciences

PSYC 1120Human Growth and DevelopmentONLINE

4.5

Social sciences

4.5

Quantitative/numeracy skills

Select one course from the following:

MATH 1220Business MathematicsONLINE

4.5

MATH 1310Intermediate AlgebraONLINE

4.5

FINA 1000Financial LiteracyONLINE

4.5

Students planning to transfer to a four-year program should select MATH 1310.

Additional

HMRL 1010Human Relations SkillsONLINEHYBRID

4.5

INFO 1001Information Systems and LiteracyONLINEHYBRID

4.5

Major requirements for Early Childhood Educator (75.0 credit hrs.)

ECED 1050Expressive ArtsONLINE

4.5

ECED 1060Observation, Assessment, and Guidance

4.5

ECED 1110Infant and Toddler DevelopmentONLINE

4.5

ECED 1120Preschool Child DevelopmentONLINE

4.5

ECED 1150Introduction to Early Childhood EducationONLINE

4.5

ECED 1160Early Language and LiteracyONLINE

4.5

ECED 1220Prepracticum

1.5

ECED 1221Infant Practicum

1.5

ECED 1222Toddler Practicum

1.5

ECED 1230School-Age Child Development and ProgrammingONLINE

3.0

ECED 1240Preschool-Age Practicum

1.5

ECED 1241School-Age Practicum

1.5

ECED 1260Children's Health and NutritionONLINE

4.5

ECED 2050Children with ExceptionalitiesONLINE

4.5

ECED 2060Early Childhood Education Curriculum Planning

4.5

ECED 2061Child Guidance Techniques

4.5

ECED 2070Family and Community RelationshipsONLINE

4.5

ECED 2090Early Childhood Student Teaching Practicum

6.0

OR

ECED 2091Early Childhood Administrative Practicum

6.0

ECED 2095Current Topics in Early Childhood EducationONLINE

4.5

ECED 2450Administration of Early Childhood Education ProgramsONLINE

4.5

ECED 1221, ECED 1222, ECED 1240, ECED 1241, ECED 2090 or ECED 2091: Students enrolling in practicums must complete an application and include all required documents. A separate application must be completed for each practicum. For more information visit the Early Childhood practicum website at mccneb.edu/Academic-Programs/Programs-of-Study/Social-Sciences/Early-Childhood-Education/Early-Childhood-Practicum.aspx

Students who plan to transfer to a four-year institution need to select from the general education transfer course options and see and maintain regular contact with an ECED faculty advisor.

This program is accredited through the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), the program is required to meet high standards in the preparation of early childhood educators.

See Curriculum Plan