Early Childhood Educator (ECAS1)

Award: Associate in applied science degree

Program location: Fort Omaha Campus

This degree prepares students for employment as a head teacher or director of childcare facilities. Learning opportunities are centered on curriculum planning, managing, and teaching within a childcare facility. The program stresses skills essential to working with parents and children in a variety of settings and activities.

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 employment is offered. Such checks are also done on individuals enrolled in practicum courses. This practice is consistent with Nebraska state statutes.  Updated Nebraska licensing regulations require students working directly with children have a current criminal background check.

All courses in the Early Childhood Education program require a minimum of four field 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

See Communications course options

Social sciences

PSYC 1120	Human Growth and DevelopmentONLINE	4.5
	Social sciences	4.5

See Social sciences course options

Quantitative/numeracy skills

Select one course from the following:

MATH 1220	Business MathematicsONLINE	4.5
MATH 1310	Intermediate AlgebraONLINE	4.5
FINA 1000	Financial LiteracyONLINE	4.5

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

Other

HMRL 1010	Human Relations SkillsONLINEHYBRID	4.5
INFO 1001	Information Systems and LiteracyONLINEHYBRID	4.5

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

ECED 1050	Expressive ArtsONLINE	4.5
ECED 1060	Observation, Assessment, and Guidance	4.5
ECED 1110	Infant and Toddler DevelopmentONLINE	4.5
ECED 1120	Preschool Child DevelopmentONLINE	4.5
ECED 1150	Introduction to Early Childhood EducationONLINE	4.5
ECED 1160	Early Language and LiteracyONLINE	4.5
ECED 1220	Prepracticum	1.5
ECED 1221	Infant Practicum	1.5
ECED 1222	Toddler Practicum	1.5
ECED 1230	School-Age Child Development and ProgrammingONLINE	3.0
ECED 1240	Preschool-Age Practicum	1.5
ECED 1241	School-Age Practicum	1.5
ECED 1260	Children's Health and NutritionONLINE	4.5
ECED 2050	Children with ExceptionalitiesONLINE	4.5
ECED 2060	Early Childhood Education Curriculum Planning	4.5
ECED 2061	Child Guidance Techniques	4.5
ECED 2070	Family and Community RelationshipsONLINE	4.5
ECED 2090	Early Childhood Student Teaching Practicum	6.0
	OR
ECED 2091	Early Childhood Administrative Practicum	6.0
ECED 2095	Current Topics in Early Childhood EducationONLINE	4.5
ECED 2450	Administration of Early Childhood Education ProgramsONLINE	4.5

ECED 1221, ECED 1222, ECED 1240, ECED 1241, ECED 2090 or ECED 2091: Students enrolling in practicums should visit the Early Childhood practicum website at www.mccneb.edu/ecp.  Students must submit documentation that verifies current certification in adult CPR and basic first aid before participating in practicum courses. EMSP 1010 Heartsaver First Aid with CPR and AED is offered through MCC as a 1.0 credit hour course.

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), which means it was required to meet high standards in the preparation of early childhood education employees.

 

test gainful employment

See Curriculum Plan